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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Religion of Geology and Its Connected
+Sciences, by Edward Hitchcock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences
+
+Author: Edward Hitchcock
+
+Release Date: February 26, 2011 [EBook #35408]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY AND ITS CONNECTED SCIENCES.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: SECTION OF THE EARTH'S CRUST.]
+
+
+
+
+  THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY AND ITS CONNECTED SCIENCES.
+
+
+  BY EDWARD HITCHCOCK, D. D., LL. D.,
+  PRESIDENT OF AMHERST COLLEGE, AND PROFESSOR OF NATURAL THEOLOGY
+  AND GEOLOGY.
+
+
+  "Science has a foundation, and so has religion; let them unite
+  their foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they will
+  be two compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of
+  God. Let the one be the outer and the other the inner court. In
+  the one, let all look, and admire, and adore; and in the other,
+  let those who have faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let the
+  one be the sanctuary where human learning may present its richest
+  incense as an offering to God; and the other the holiest of all,
+  separated from it by a veil now rent in twain, and in which, on a
+  blood sprinkled mercy seat, we pour out the love of a reconciled
+  heart, and hear the oracles of the living God."--_M'Cosh._
+
+
+  EIGHTH THOUSAND.
+
+  BOSTON:
+  PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, AND COMPANY.
+  1854.
+
+
+
+
+  Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
+
+  PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO.,
+
+  In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District
+  of Massachusetts.
+
+
+  STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.
+
+
+
+
+TO MY BELOVED WIFE.
+
+
+Both gratitude and affection prompt me to dedicate these lectures to you.
+To your kindness and self-denying labors I have been mainly indebted for
+the ability and leisure to give any successful attention to scientific
+pursuits. Early should I have sunk under the pressure of feeble health,
+nervous despondency, poverty, and blighted hopes, had not your sympathies
+and cheering counsels sustained me. And during the last thirty years of
+professional labors, how little could I have done in the cause of science,
+had you not, in a great measure, relieved me of the cares of a numerous
+family! Furthermore, while I have described scientific facts with the pen
+only, how much more vividly have they been portrayed by your pencil! And
+it is peculiarly appropriate that your name should be associated with mine
+in any literary effort where the theme is geology; since your artistic
+skill has done more than my voice to render that science attractive to the
+young men whom I have instructed. I love especially to connect your name
+with an effort to defend and illustrate that religion which I am sure is
+dearer to you than every thing else. I know that you would forbid this
+public allusion to your labors and sacrifices, did I not send it forth to
+the world before it meets your eye. But I am unwilling to lose this
+opportunity of bearing a testimony which both justice and affection urge
+me to give. In a world where much is said of female deception and
+inconstancy, I desire to testify that one man at least has placed implicit
+confidence in woman, and has not been disappointed. Through many checkered
+scenes have we passed together, both on the land and the sea, at home and
+in foreign countries; and now the voyage of life is almost ended. The ties
+of earthly affection, which have so long united us in uninterrupted
+harmony and happiness, will soon be sundered. But there are ties which
+death cannot break; and we indulge the hope that by them we shall be
+linked together and to the throne of God through eternal ages.
+
+  In life and in death I abide
+    Your affectionate husband,
+      EDWARD HITCHCOCK.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+Most of the following lectures were written as much as eight or ten years
+ago, though additions and alterations have been made, from time to time,
+to adapt them to the progress of science. They were undertaken at the
+suggestion of my friend, Rev. Henry Neill, then of Hatfield, now of Lenox.
+I had no definite intention as to the use to be made of the lectures; but
+having for many years turned my attention to the bearings of science, and
+especially of geology, upon religion, I felt a desire to put upon paper
+the final results of my examinations. I threw them into the lecture form,
+that I might, if best, deliver them to the geological classes which I
+should instruct in the college with which I am connected. This I have done
+for many years, and also have used them in various places before lyceums.
+They are at length published, from a conviction that something of the
+kind, from some quarter, is needed. Many of the thoughts, indeed, which,
+at the time they were put upon paper, were original, have since been
+brought out by other writers. Yet enough of this description probably
+remain to expose me to severe criticism. I beg the intelligent Christian,
+however, before he condemns my views, to settle it in his mind what he can
+substitute for them that will be more honorable to religion. It is much
+easier to find fault with a mode of defending the truth than to invent a
+better method. We may not be pleased with certain views in vindication of
+religion, and yet the alternative of rejecting them may be so much worse
+as to lead us at least to be silent. Would that Christian critics had
+always kept this fact in mind when writing upon the views of geologists!
+They would find often that they are straining at a gnat and must swallow a
+camel.
+
+If my views are erroneous, as exhibited in these lectures, I cannot plead
+that they have been hastily adopted. Most of them, indeed, have been the
+subjects of thought occasionally for thirty years. I hope, however, that
+all my suggestions will not be thought of equal importance in my own
+estimation; since some of them are merely hypothetical hints thrown out
+for the consideration of abler minds.
+
+This work does not exhibit quite so much of logical exactness as I could
+wish. But my leading object has been fully carried out, viz., to exhibit
+all the religious bearings of geology. Several of the lectures, however,
+have been written as if independent of all the rest; and, therefore, the
+reader will find some leading thoughts repeated, but always in different
+connections.
+
+After acknowledging that more than a quarter of a century has elapsed
+since this subject first engaged my attention, it may be useless for me to
+ask any indulgence from criticism. But really, I feel less prepared to
+write upon it than I did during the first five years in which I studied
+it. I have learnt that it is a most difficult subject. It requires, in
+order to master it, an acquaintance with three distinct branches of
+knowledge, not apt to go together. First, an acquaintance with geology in
+all its details, and with the general principles of zoölogy, botany, and
+comparative anatomy; secondly, a knowledge of sacred hermeneutics, or the
+principles of interpreting the Scriptures; thirdly, a clear conception of
+the principles of natural and revealed religion.
+
+As examples of efforts made by men who were deficient in a knowledge of
+some of these branches, I am compelled to quote a large proportion of the
+works which, within the last thirty or forty years, have been written on
+the religion of geology; especially on its connection with revealed
+religion. I am happy to except such writers as Dr. J. Pye Smith, Dr.
+Chalmers, Dr. Harris, Dr. Buckland, Professor Sedgwick, Professor Whewell,
+Dr. King, Dr. Anderson, and Hugh Miller; for they, to a greater or less
+extent, acquainted themselves with all the subjects named above, before
+they undertook to write. But a still larger number of authors, although
+men of talents, and familiar, it may be, with the Bible and theology, had
+no accurate knowledge of geology. The results have been, first, that, by
+resorting to denunciation and charges of infidelity, to answer arguments
+from geology which they did not understand, they have excited unreasonable
+prejudices and alarm among common Christians respecting that science and
+its cultivators; secondly, they have awakened disgust, and even contempt,
+among scientific men, especially those of sceptical tendencies, who have
+inferred that a cause which resorts to such defences must be very weak.
+They have felt very much as a good Greek scholar would, who should read a
+severe critique upon the style of Isocrates, or Demosthenes, and, before
+he had finished the review, should discover internal evidence that the
+writer had never learnt the Greek alphabet.
+
+On the other hand, prejudices and disgust equally strong have been
+produced in the mind of many a man well versed in theology and biblical
+exegesis by some productions of scientific men upon the religious bearings
+of geology, because they advanced principles which the merest tyro in
+divinity would know to be false and fatal to religion, and which they
+advocated only because they had never studied the Bible or theology.
+
+And here I would remark that it does not follow, because a man is eminent
+in geology, that his opinion is of any value upon the religion of geology.
+For the two subjects are quite distinct, and a man may be a Coryphæus in
+the principles of geology, who is an ignoramus in its religious
+applications. Indeed, many of the ablest writers upon geology take the
+ground that its religious bearings do not belong to the science.
+
+These statements, instead of pleading my apology for the following work,
+may only show my temerity and vanity. Nevertheless, they afford me an
+opportunity of calling the attention of the religious public to the great
+inadequacy of the means now possessed of acquiring a knowledge of the
+different branches of natural science. I refer especially to comparative
+anatomy, zoölogy, botany, and geology, in our literary and theological
+seminaries. The latter, so far as I know, do not pretend to give any
+instruction in these branches. And in our colleges that instruction is
+confined almost entirely to a few brief courses of lectures; often so few
+that the students scarcely find out how ignorant they are of the subjects;
+and hence those who are expecting to enter the sacred ministry vainly
+imagine that, at almost any period of their future course, they can, in a
+few weeks, become sufficiently acquainted with physical science to meet
+and refute the sceptic. In all our seminaries, however, abundant provision
+is made, as it ought to be, for the study of intellectual philosophy and
+biblical interpretation.
+
+So well satisfied are two of the most enlightened and efficient Christian
+denominations in Great Britain--the Congregationalists and the Scottish
+Free Church--of the need of more extensive acquaintance with the natural
+sciences in ministers of the gospel, that they have attached a
+professorship of natural history to their theological seminaries. That in
+the New College in Edinburgh is filled by the venerable Dr. Fleming; that
+in the New College in London by Dr. Lankester. From a syllabus of Dr.
+Fleming's course of lectures, which he put into my hands last summer, I
+perceive that it differs little from the instruction in natural science in
+the colleges of our country. This being the case, it strikes me that this
+is not exactly the professorship that is needed in the theological
+seminaries of our country. But they do need, it seems to me,
+professorships of natural theology, to be filled by men who are
+practically familiar with the natural sciences. If any such chairs exist
+in these seminaries, I do not know it. They are amply provided with
+instruction in the metaphysics of theology, hermeneutics, and
+ecclesiastical history; and I should be sorry to see these departments
+less amply provided for. But here is the wide field of natural theology,
+large enough for several professorships, which finds no place, save a nook
+in the chair of dogmatics. This might have answered well enough when the
+battle-field with scepticism lay in the region of metaphysics, or history,
+or biblical interpretation. But the enemy have, within a few years past,
+intrenched themselves within the dominions of natural science; and there,
+for a long time to come, must be the tug of the war. And since they have
+substituted skeletons, and trees, and stones, as weapons, in the place of
+abstractions, so must Christians do, if they would not be defeated. Let me
+refer to a few examples to show how inadequately furnished the minister
+must be for such a contest, who has used only the means of instruction
+provided in our existing seminaries, literary and theological.
+
+Take the leading points discussed in the following lectures. How can a man
+who has heard only a brief and hurried course of thirty lectures on
+chemistry, twenty on anatomy and physiology, fifteen upon zoölogy, ten
+upon botany, ten upon mineralogy, and twenty upon geology, at the college,
+with no additional instruction at the theological seminary,--how can he
+judge correctly of points and reasoning difficult to be mastered by adepts
+in these sciences? How certain to be worsted in an argument with an
+accomplished naturalist who is a sceptic!
+
+Suppose the sceptic takes the ground advocated by Oken and the author of
+the "Vestiges." Let the clergyman, whom I have supposed, read the works of
+Miller and Sedgwick in reply to the development hypothesis, and see
+whether he can even understand their arguments without a more careful
+study of the sciences on which they rest.
+
+A subject of no small importance in its religious bearings has recently
+excited a good deal of sharp discussion in this country. I refer to the
+questions of the specific unity and unity of origin of the human race. To
+a person who has never studied the subject, it seems a matter easy to
+settle; yet, in fact, it demands extensive research even to understand.
+And we have seen one of the most accomplished zoölogists and anatomists of
+the present age take ground on these points in opposition to the almost
+universal opinion. The result has been that not a few talented replies to
+his arguments have appeared, mostly, I believe, from ministers. I have not
+seen them all. But in respect to those which I have read it has seemed to
+me, without having the least sympathy with the views of Professor Agassiz,
+that the authors have not the most remote conception of the principal
+arguments on which he relies, derived from zoölogy and comparative
+anatomy; nor do I believe that they can understand and appreciate them
+until they have studied those sciences.[1]
+
+Although I fear that theologians are not aware of the fact, yet probably
+the doctrines of materialism are more widely embraced at this day than
+almost any other religious error. But in which of our schools, save the
+medical, is there any instruction given in physiology and zoölogy, that
+will prepare a man to make the least headway against such delusions? The
+arguments by which materialism is defended are among the most subtle in
+the whole range of theology and natural science; and without a knowledge
+of the latter they can neither be appreciated nor refuted. The mere
+metaphysical abstractions by which they are usually met excite only the
+contempt of the acute physiologist who is a materialist.
+
+I might refer, in this connection, to the whole subject of pantheism, in
+its chameleon forms. The rhapsodies of spiritual pantheism must, indeed,
+be met by metaphysics equally transcendental. But, after all, it is from
+biology that the pantheist derives his choicest weapons. He appeals, also,
+to astronomy, zoölogy, and geology; nor is it the superficial naturalist
+that can show how hollow is the foundation on which he rests.
+
+These are only a few examples of the points of physical science on which
+scepticism at this moment has batteries erected with which to assail
+spiritual religion. Will the minister but slightly familiar with the
+ground chosen by the enemy be able not only to silence his guns, but, as
+every able defender of the truth ought to do, to turn them against its
+foes? Surely it needs a professor of natural theology in our theological
+seminaries, (and if such chairs existed in our colleges they would be
+serviceable,) to teach those who expect to be officers in the sacramental
+host how to carry on the holy war. I do not see how much more time can be
+given to the natural sciences in our colleges than is usually done,
+without encroaching upon other indispensable branches. If, therefore,
+provision be not made for studying the religious bearings of these
+sciences in our theological seminaries, our youthful evangelists must go
+forth to their work without the ability to vindicate the cause of religion
+against the assaults of the sceptical naturalist. Would not, then, those
+wealthy and benevolent individuals be great public benefactors, who should
+endow professorships of natural religion in our schools of the prophets?
+
+But I must not pursue this subject farther. I commit my work to the public
+with no raised expectations of its welcome reception. I have a high
+opinion of the enlightened candor of, the educated classes of our country,
+especially those in the ministry. Yet I know that many prejudices exist
+against science in its connections with religion. And, therefore, my only
+hope of any measure of success in this effort rests upon the divine
+blessing. But if the work be not pleasing to Infinite Wisdom and
+Benevolence, why should I desire for it an ephemeral success among men?
+
+AMHERST COLLEGE, May 1, 1851.
+
+
+
+
+EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.
+
+
+This section of the earth's crust is intended to bring under the eye the
+leading features of geology.
+
+
+1. _The relative Position of the Stratified and the Unstratified Rocks._
+
+The unstratified rocks, viz., granite, sienite, porphyry, trap, and lava,
+are represented as lying beneath the stratified class, for the most part,
+yet piercing through them in the centre of the section, and by several
+dikes or veins, through which masses have been protruded to the surface.
+The unstratified class are all colored red, to indicate their igneous
+origin. Granite seems to have been first melted and protruded, and it
+continued to be pushed upward till the close of the secondary period of
+the stratified rocks, as is shown by the vein of granite on the section.
+Sienite and porphyry seem to have been next thrust up, from below the
+granite; next, the varieties of trap were protruded from beneath the
+porphyry; and last, the lava, which still continues to be poured out upon
+the surface from beneath all the rest.
+
+
+2. _The Stratified Rocks._
+
+The stratified rocks represented on both flanks of the granite peak in the
+section, appear to have been deposited from water, and subsequently more
+or less lifted up, fractured, and bent. An attempt is made, on the right
+hand side of the section, to exhibit the foldings and inclination of the
+strata. The lowest are bent the most, and their dip is the greatest; and,
+as a general fact, there is a gradual approach to horizontality as we rise
+on the scale.
+
+
+3. _The right hand side of the Section._
+
+The strata on the right hand are divided into five classes: first and
+lowest, the _crystalline_, or _primary_, destitute of organic remains, and
+probably metamorphosed from a sedimentary to a crystalline state, by the
+action of subjacent heat. 2. The _palæozoic class_, or those containing
+the earliest types of animals and plants, and of vast thickness, mostly
+deposited in the ocean. 3. _The secondary class_, reaching from the top of
+the lower new red or Permian system, to the top of the chalk. 4. _The
+tertiary strata_, partially consolidated, and differing entirely from the
+rocks below by their organic contents. 5. _Alluvium_, or strata now in a
+course of deposition. This classification is sometimes convenient, and
+frequently used by geologists.
+
+
+4. _The left hand Side._
+
+On the left hand side of the section the strata are so divided as to
+correspond to the six great groups of animals and plants that have
+appeared on the globe. The names attached to the groups are derived from
+[Greek: zôos] (_vivus_, living,) with the Greek numerals prefixed. The
+lowest group, being destitute of organic remains, is called _azoic_, (from
+[Greek: a] privitive and [Greek: zôos],) that is, wanting in the traces of
+life; and corresponds to the crystalline group on the other side of the
+section, embracing gneiss, mica slate, limestone, and clay slate, of
+unknown thickness. The _protozoic group_ corresponds to the palæozoic of
+the right hand side, and embraces lower and upper Silurian, Devonian, or
+old red sandstone, the carboniferous group, and the Permian, or lower new
+red; the whole in Great Britain not less than thirty-three thousand feet
+thick. The _deutozoic group_ consists only of the triassic, or upper new
+red sandstone, and is only nine hundred feet thick, but marks a distinct
+period of life. The _tritozoic_ embraces the lias and oölite, with the
+Wealden, and is three thousand six hundred feet thick. The _tetrazoic_
+consists of the chalk and green sand, one thousand five hundred feet
+thick. The _pentezoic_ embraces the tertiary strata of the thickness of
+two thousand feet. The _hectozoic_ is confined to the modern deposits,
+only a few hundred feet thick, but entombing all the existing species of
+animals.
+
+
+5. _Characteristic Organic Remains._
+
+Had space permitted, I should have put upon the section a reference to the
+most characteristic and peculiar mineral, animal, or plant, in the
+different groups. Thus the azoic group is _crystalliferous_, or
+crystal-bearing. The lower or Silurian part of the protozoic group is
+_brachiopodiferous_, _trilobiferous_, _polypiferous_, and
+_cephalopodiferous_; that is, abounding in brachiopod and cephalopod
+shells; in polypifers, or corals; and in trilobites, a family of
+crustaceans. The middle part, or the Devonian, is _thaumichthiferous_, or
+containing remarkable fish. The upper part, or the coal measures, is
+_carboniferous_; that is, abounding in coal. _The deutozoic group_ is
+_ichniferous_, or track-bearing, from the multitude of its fossil
+footmarks. The _tritozoic group_ is _reptiliferous_, or reptile-bearing,
+from the extraordinary lizards which abound in it. The _tetrazoic_ is
+_foraminiferous_, from the abundance of coral animalcula, called
+foraminifera, or polythalmia, which it contains. The _pentezoic_ is
+_mammaliferous_, because it contains the remains of mammalia, or
+quadrupeds. The _hectozoic_ is _homoniferous_, or man-bearing, because it
+embraces human remains.
+
+There is no one place on earth where all the facts exhibited on this
+section are presented before us together. Yet all the facts occur
+somewhere, and this section merely brings them into systematic
+arrangement.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                Page
+
+  LECTURE I.
+    REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE,                             1
+
+  LECTURE II.
+    THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH'S CREATION UNREVEALED,                 33
+
+  LECTURE III.
+    DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE
+    FROM THE BEGINNING,                                           71
+
+  LECTURE IV.
+    THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES,    112
+
+  LECTURE V.
+    THE WORLD'S SUPPOSED ETERNITY,                               146
+
+  LECTURE VI.
+    GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE,                 179
+
+  LECTURE VII.
+    DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD,           219
+
+  LECTURE VIII.
+    UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE
+    WORLD'S HISTORY,                                             252
+
+  LECTURE IX.
+    THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW,                           285
+
+  LECTURE X.
+    SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE,                           327
+
+  LECTURE XI.
+    THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH,               370
+
+  LECTURE XII.
+    THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE,                      409
+
+  LECTURE XIII.
+    THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH,                                   445
+
+  LECTURE XIV.
+    SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY APPLIED, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH,       476
+
+
+
+
+THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE I.
+
+REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE.
+
+
+The leading object, which I propose in the course of lectures which I now
+commence, is to develop the relations between geology and religion. This
+cannot be done fully and fairly, however, without exhibiting also many of
+the religious bearings of several other sciences. I shall, therefore, feel
+justified in drawing illustrations and arguments from any department of
+human knowledge which may afford them. I place geology first and most
+conspicuous on the list, because I know of no other branch of physical
+science so prolific in its religious applications.
+
+In treating of this subject, I shall first exhibit the relations between
+science and revealed religion, and afterwards between science and natural
+religion; though in a few cases these two great branches cannot be kept
+entirely distinct.
+
+Geology is usually regarded as having only an unfavorable bearing upon
+revealed religion; and writers are generally satisfied if they can
+reconcile apparent discrepancies. But I regard this as an unfair
+representation; for if geology, or any other science, proves to us that
+we have not fairly understood the meaning of any passage of Scripture, it
+merely illustrates, but does not oppose, revelation.
+
+A fundamental principle of Protestant Christianity is, that the Scriptures
+of the Old and New Testaments are the only infallible standard of
+religious truth; and I desire to hold up this principle prominently at the
+outset, as one to which I cordially subscribe. The mass of evidence in
+favor of the divine inspiration of the Bible is too great to be set aside
+by any thing short of scientific demonstration. Were the Scriptures to
+teach that the whole is not equal to its parts, the mind could not,
+indeed, believe it. But if it taught a truth which was only contrary to
+the probable deductions of science, science, I say, must yield to
+Scripture; for it would be more reasonable to doubt the probabilities of a
+single science, than the various and most satisfactory evidence on which
+revelation rests. I do not believe that even the probabilities of any
+science are in collision with Scripture. But the supposition is made to
+show how strong are my convictions of the evidence and paramount authority
+of the Bible.
+
+But does it follow, from these positions, that science can throw no light
+upon the truths of Scripture? By no means; and it will be my leading
+object, in this lecture, to show how this may be done by science in
+general, and by geology in particular.
+
+In discussing this subject, we ought to bear in mind the object of
+science, and the object of revelation. And by the term science I refer
+mainly to physical science. Its grand aim is, by an induction from facts,
+to discover the laws by which the material universe is governed. Those
+laws do, indeed, lead the mind almost necessarily to their divine Author.
+But this is rather the incidental than the direct result of scientific
+investigations, and belongs rather to natural theology than to natural
+science.
+
+On the other hand, the exclusive object of revelation is of a moral
+character. It is a development of the divine character and the divine
+government; especially that part of it which discloses a plan for the
+reconciliation of a lost and wicked world to the favor of God by the death
+of his Son. Every other subject mentioned in Scripture is incidental, and
+would not have been noticed had it not some connection with the plan of
+salvation. The creation of the world and the Noachian deluge, for
+instance, are intimately related to the divine character and government,
+and therefore they are described; and the same is true of the various
+phenomena of nature which are touched upon in the Bible.
+
+If these positions be correct, it follows, that as we ought not to expect
+to find the doctrines of religion in treatises on science, so it is
+unreasonable to look for the principles of philosophy in the Bible. Nay,
+we ought not to expect to find the terms used by the Sacred writers
+employed in their strict scientific sense, but in their popular
+acceptation. Indeed, as the Scriptures were generally addressed to men in
+the earliest and most simple states of society, with very limited views of
+the extent of creation, we ought to suppose that, in all cases where no
+new fact is revealed, the language was adapted to the narrow ideas which
+then prevailed. When, for instance, the sacred writers speak of the rising
+and setting of the sun, we cannot suppose they used language with
+astronomical correctness, but only according to appearances. Hence we
+ought not to be very confident, that when they employ the term _earth_,
+they meant that spherical, vast globe which astronomy proves the earth to
+be, but rather that part of it which was inhabited, which was all the idea
+that entered into the mind of a Jew. God might, indeed, have revealed new
+scientific as well as religious truth. But there is no evidence that in
+this way he has anticipated a single modern discovery. This would have
+been turning aside from the much more important object he had in view,
+viz., to teach the world religious truth. Such being the case, the
+language employed to describe natural phenomena must have been adapted to
+the state of knowledge among the people to whom the Scriptures were
+addressed.
+
+Another inference from these premises is, that there may be an apparent
+contradiction between the statements of science and revelation. Revelation
+may describe phenomena according to apparent truth, as when it speaks of
+the rising and setting of the sun, and the immobility of the earth; but
+science describes the same according to the actual truth, as when it gives
+a real motion to the earth, and only an apparent motion to the heavens.
+Had the language of revelation been scientifically accurate, it would have
+defeated the object for which the Scriptures were given; for it must have
+anticipated scientific discovery, and therefore have been unintelligible
+to those ignorant of such discoveries. Or if these had been explained by
+inspiration, the Bible would have become a text-book in natural science,
+rather than a guide to eternal life.
+
+The final conclusion from these principles is, that since science and
+revelation treat of the same subjects only incidentally, we ought only to
+expect that the facts of science, rightly understood, should not
+contradict the statements of revelation, correctly interpreted. Apparent
+discrepancies there may be; and it would not be strange, if for a time
+they should seem to be real; either because science has not fully and
+accurately disclosed the facts, or the Bible is not correctly
+interpreted; but if both records are from God, there can be no real
+contradiction between them. But, on the other hand, we have no reason to
+expect any remarkable coincidences, because the general subject and object
+of the two records are so unlike. Should such coincidences occur, however,
+they will render it less probable that any apparent disagreement is real.
+
+If the positions taken in these preliminary remarks be correct, it will
+follow, that in judging of the agreement or disagreement between
+revelation and science, it is important, in the first place, that we
+rightly understand the Bible; and, in the second place, that we carefully
+ascertain what are the settled and demonstrated principles of science. An
+examination of these points will constitute the remainder of this lecture.
+
+The meaning of the Scriptures is to be determined in the same way as the
+meaning of any other book written in similar circumstances. Its
+inspiration puts no bar in the way of the most rigid application of the
+rules of criticism, nor renders it unnecessary to seek for light in
+whatever quarter it can be obtained. The rules of grammatical and
+rhetorical construction, the study of contemporary writers, a knowledge of
+the history, customs, opinions, and prejudices of the times, and other
+circumstances that need not be mentioned, become important means of
+attaining the true _usus loquendi_, or principle of interpretation. But I
+pass by all these on the present occasion, because no one doubts their
+importance in rightly understanding the Bible. I maintain that scientific
+discoveries furnish us with another means of its correct interpretation,
+where it describes natural phenomena. And in this position we shall not
+probably find an entire unanimity of opinion. Let us, therefore, proceed
+to examine its truth.
+
+It will not be denied that modern science has corrected the opinions of
+men in regard to very many natural phenomena. The same term that conveyed
+one idea to an ancient reader, or hearer, of the Bible, often conveys an
+opposite meaning to a modern ear. And yet that term may be very proper to
+use in modern times, if understood to express only apparent, and not real
+truth. The Jew understood it to mean the latter; and it would seem as if
+we might employ modern scientific discovery to enable us to decide in
+which sense the Bible did use the term. For if we admit the Jew to have
+been correct in his interpretation, then we bring revelation into direct
+collision with the demonstrations of physics.
+
+But facts are vastly more satisfactory in deciding this question than
+reasoning, and I shall now proceed to adduce some examples in which modern
+scientific discovery has thrown light upon the meaning of the Bible.
+
+For one or two examples I appeal to chemistry. In the book of Proverbs,
+(chap. 25, v. 20,) we find it said, that _as vinegar upon nitre, so is he
+that singeth songs to a heavy heart_. We should expect from this statement
+that when we put vinegar upon what we call nitre, it would produce some
+commotion analogous to the excitement of song-singing. But we should try
+the experiment in vain; for no effect whatever would be produced. Again,
+it is said by the prophet Jeremiah, (chap. 2, v. 22,) _Though thou wash
+thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked
+before me, saith the Lord._ Here, too, we should expect that the use of
+the nitre would increase the purifying power of the soap; but the
+experiment would prove rather the reverse. The chemist, however, informs
+us that there is a substance, viz., the _carbonate of soda_, which, if
+substituted for the nitre, would effervesce with vinegar, and aid the
+purifying power of soap, and thus strikingly illustrate the thought both
+of Solomon and Jeremiah. And on recurring to the original, we find that
+[Hebrew] (nether, _nitrum_, _natrum_) does not necessarily mean the salt
+which we call nitre, but rather a fossil alkali, the _natron_ of the
+ancients, and the carbonate of soda of the moderns.
+
+It is probably the prevailing opinion among intelligent Christians at this
+time, and has been the opinion of many commentators, that when Peter
+describes the future destruction of the world, he means that its solid
+substance, and indeed that of the whole material universe, will be utterly
+consumed or annihilated by fire. This opinion rests upon the common belief
+that such is the effect of combustion. But chemistry informs us, that no
+case of combustion, how fiercely soever the fire may rage, annihilates the
+least particle of matter; and that fire only changes the form of
+substances. Nay, there is no reason whatever to suppose that one particle
+of matter has been annihilated since the world began. The chemist moreover
+asserts that all the solid parts of the globe have already undergone
+combustion, and that although heat may melt them, it cannot burn them. Nor
+is there any thing upon or within the earth capable of combustion, but
+vegetables, and animals, and a few gases. Has Peter, then, made a mistake
+because he did not understand modern chemistry? We have only to examine
+his language carefully, as it seems to me, in order to be satisfied that
+he means only, that whatsoever upon, or within, the earth, is combustible,
+will be burned up at the final conflagration; and that the whole globe,
+the _elements_, _will melt with fervent heat_. He nowhere asserts, or
+implies, that one particle of matter will be annihilated by that
+catastrophe. Thus science, instead of proving his statements to be
+erroneous, only enables us more correctly to understand them.
+
+Scarcely any truth seems more clearly taught in the Bible than the future
+resurrection of the body. Yet this doctrine has always been met by a most
+formidable objection. It is said that the body laid in the grave is ere
+long decomposed into its elements, which are scattered over the face of
+the earth, and enter into new combinations, even forming a part of other
+human bodies. Hence not even Omnipotence can raise from the grave the
+identical body laid there, because the particles may enter successively
+into a multitude of other human bodies. I am not aware that any successful
+reply has ever been given to this objection, until chemistry and natural
+history taught us the true nature of bodily identity; and until recently
+the objector has felt sure that he had triumphed. But these sciences teach
+us that the identity of the body consists, not in a sameness of particles,
+but in the same kinds of elementary matter, combined in the same
+proportion, and having the same form and structure. Hence it is not
+necessary that the resurrection body should contain a single particle of
+the matter laid in the grave, in order to be the same body; which it will
+be if it consist of the same kinds of matter combined in the same
+proportions, and has the same form and structure. For the particles of our
+bodies are often totally changed during our lives; yet no one imagines
+that the old man has not the same body as in infancy.[2] What but the
+principles of science could have thus vindicated a precious doctrine of
+revelation?
+
+In the description which Paul gives of the spiritual body, a
+naturalist,--and I fancy no one but a naturalist,--will discover its
+specific identity. By this I mean that it will possess peculiarities that
+distinguish it from every thing else, but which are so closely related to
+the characteristics of the natural body in this world, from which it was
+derived, that one acquainted with the latter would recognize the former.
+Hence the Christian's friends in another world may be recognized by him
+from their external characters, just as we identify the plants and animals
+of spring with those that seemed to perish in the preceding autumn. There
+is neither time nor room for the proof of this exegesis, which is founded
+chiefly upon the principles of natural history; but for their elucidation,
+I must refer to another place.[3]
+
+I take my next example from meteorology. It was the opinion of the
+ancients that the earth, at a certain height, was surrounded by a
+transparent hollow sphere of solid matter, which they called the
+firmament. When rain descended, they supposed it was through windows, or
+holes, made in this crystalline curtain suspended in mid heaven. To these
+notions the language of the Bible is frequently conformed. In the account
+of the creation, in Genesis, we have a description of the formation of
+this firmament, and how it divided the waters below it, viz., the ocean,
+lakes, and rivers, from the waters above it, viz., the clouds. Again, in
+the account of the deluge, the windows of heaven are said to have been
+opened. But it is hardly necessary to say, that meteorology has shown
+that no such solid firmament exists over our heads; that, in fact, nothing
+but one homogeneous, transparent atmosphere encloses the earth, in which
+the clouds float at different altitudes at different times. Are we, then,
+to suppose that the sacred writers meant to teach as certain truth, the
+fiction of a solid firmament; or that on this subject they conformed their
+language to the prevailing belief, because it was not their object to
+teach philosophy, meaning neither to assert nor to deny the existence of a
+solid firmament, but using language that was optically, although not
+physically, correct, and which, therefore, conformed to the general
+belief? It is doubtful whether any thing but scientific discovery could
+enable us to decide this question. But since it is certain that the solid
+firmament does not exist, we must admit that the Bible did not intend to
+teach its existence, or allow it to teach a falsehood; and since we know
+that it does often speak, in natural things, according to apparent, and
+not real truth, it is most reasonable to give such a construction to its
+language in the present instance.
+
+But the most decisive example I have to give on this subject is derived
+from astronomy. Until the time of Copernicus, no opinion respecting
+natural phenomena was thought more firmly established, than that the earth
+is fixed immovably in the centre of the universe, and that the heavenly
+bodies move diurnally around it. To sustain this view, the most decided
+language of Scripture could be quoted. God is there said to have
+_established the foundations of the earth, so that they could not be
+removed forever_; and the sacred writers expressly declare that the sun
+and other heavenly bodies _arise and set_, and nowhere allude to any
+proper motion in the earth. And those statements corresponded exactly to
+the testimony of the senses. Men felt the earth to be immovably firm
+under their feet, and when they looked up, they saw the heavenly bodies
+in motion. What bold impiety, therefore, did it seem, even to men of
+liberal and enlightened minds, for any one to rise up and assert that all
+this testimony of the Bible and of the senses was to be set aside! It is
+easy to conceive with what strong jealousy the friends of the Bible would
+look upon the new science which was thus arraying itself in bold defiance
+of inspiration, and how its votaries would be branded as infidels in
+disguise. We need not resort to Catholic intolerance to explain how it
+was, that the new doctrine of the earth's motion should be denounced as
+the most fatal heresy, as alike contrary to Scripture and sound
+philosophy, and that even the venerable Galileo should be forced to recant
+it upon his knees. What though the astronomer stood ready with his
+diagrams and formulas to demonstrate the motion of the earth; who would
+calmly and impartially examine the claims of a scientific discovery,
+which, by its very announcement, threw discredit upon the Bible and the
+senses, and contradicted the unanimous opinion of the wise and good,--of
+all mankind, indeed,--through all past centuries? Rather would the
+distinguished theologians of the day set their ingenuity at work to frame
+an argument in opposition to the dangerous neology, that should fall upon
+it like an avalanche, and grind it to powder. And to show you how firm and
+irresistible such an argument would seem, we need no longer tax the
+imagination; for Francis Turretin, a distinguished Protestant professor of
+theology, whose writings have even to the present day sustained no mean
+reputation, has left us an argument on the subject, compacted and arranged
+according to the nicest rules of logic, and which he supposed would stand
+unrefuted as long as the authority of the Bible should be regarded among
+men. He propounds the inquiry, "Do the sun and moon move in the heavens
+and revolve around the earth, while the earth remains at rest?" This he
+affirms, "in opposition to certain philosophers," and sustains his
+position by the following arguments: "First. The sun is said [in
+Scripture] to move in the heavens, and to rise and set. (Ps. 19, v. 5.)
+The sun is _as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
+strong man to run a race_. (Ps. 104, v. 19.) _The sun knoweth his going
+down._ (Eccles. 1, v. 5.) _The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down._
+Secondly. The sun, by a miracle, stood still in the time of Joshua.
+(Joshua, ch. 10, v. 12, 13, 14,) and by a miracle it went back in the time
+of Hezekiah. (Isa. ch. 38, v. 8.) Thirdly. The earth is said to be _fixed
+immovably_. (Ps. 93, v. 1.) _The world also is established, that it cannot
+be moved._ (Ps. 104, v. 5.) _Who laid the foundations of the earth, that
+it should not be removed forever._ (Ps. 119, v. 90, 91.) _Thou hast
+established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to
+thine ordinances._ Fourthly. Neither could birds, which often fly off
+through an hour's circuit, be able to return to their nests; for in the
+mean time the earth would move four hundred and fifty of our miles.
+Fifthly. Whatever flies or is suspended in the air ought [by this theory]
+to move from west to east; but this is proved not to be true from birds,
+arrows shot forth, atoms made manifest in the sun, and down floating in
+the atmosphere."
+
+If it be replied to this reasoning that the Scripture, in natural things,
+speaks according to the common opinion, Turretin answers, "First, that the
+spirit of God best understands natural things; secondly, that, in giving
+instruction in religion, he meant these things should be used, not abused;
+thirdly, that he is not the author of any error; fourthly, neither is he
+to be corrected on this pretence by our blind reason."
+
+If it be replied that birds, the air, and all things are moved with the
+earth, he answers, "First, that this is a mere fiction, since air is a
+fluid body; and secondly, if so, by what force would birds be able to go
+from east to west."--_Compendium Theologicæ Didactico-Elencticæ_,
+(Amsterdam, 1695.)
+
+In the present state of knowledge we may smile at some of these arguments;
+but to men who had been taught to believe, as in a self-evident principle,
+that the earth was immovable and the heavenly bodies in motion, the most
+of them must have been entirely satisfactory; and especially must the
+Scriptures have seemed in _point blank_ opposition to the astronomical
+heresy. What, then, has so completely annihilated this argument, that now
+the merest schoolboy would be ashamed to advocate it? The clear
+demonstrations of science have done it. Not only has the motion of the
+earth been established, but it has been made equally obvious that this
+truth is in entire harmony with the language of Scripture; so that neither
+the infidel nor the Christian ever suspect, on this ground, any collision
+between the two records. So soon as the philologist perceived that there
+was no escape from the astronomical demonstration, he was led to reexamine
+his interpretation of Scripture, and found that the whole difficulty lay
+in his assuming that the sacred writers intended to teach scientific
+instead of popular truth. Only admitting that they spoke of astronomical
+phenomena, according to appearances and in conformity to common opinion,
+and their language became perfectly proper. It conveyed no error, and is
+in fact as well adapted now as ever to the common intercourse of life.
+Yet, in consequence of the scientific discovery, that language conveys
+quite a different meaning to our minds from what it did to those who
+supposed it to teach a scientific truth. Hence it strikingly illustrates
+the value of scientific discovery in enabling us rightly to understand the
+Bible.
+
+Is it necessary to quote any more examples to establish the principle that
+scientific discovery is one of the means which the philologist should
+employ in the interpretation of Scripture? And if the principle has been
+found of service in chemistry, meteorology, and astronomy, why should it
+be neglected in the case of geology? Why should not this science also,
+which has probably more important religious bearings than any other, be
+appealed to in illustration of the meaning of Scripture, when phenomena
+are described of which geology takes cognizance? I know that some will
+reply, that the principles of geology are yet too unsettled to be allowed
+to modify the interpretation of the Bible. This brings me to the second
+part of my subject, in which I am to inquire whether the principles of
+physical science, and of geology in particular, are so far settled that we
+can feel ourselves upon firm ground as we compare them with the principles
+of revelation.
+
+Before proceeding to this part of the subject, however, I must pause a
+moment, in order to point out another mode, in which science may
+contribute to elucidate Scripture. In the way just described, it may
+enable the interpreter more correctly to understand the language, but it
+may also give a fuller illustration to the sentiments of the Bible.
+Revelation, for instance, represents God as benevolent. Now, if we can
+derive from the records of geology striking and hitherto unthought-of
+manifestations of this attribute, we shall make the doctrine of Scripture
+more impressive; or, if we appeal to the numerous changes which the earth
+has undergone, and the vast periods which they have occupied, we find that
+the unsearchableness of divine wisdom, and the vastness of the divine
+plans, are brought more vividly before the mind, and task its power of
+comprehension more than illustrations from any other quarter. In short,
+the principles of religion that derive important elucidation from science,
+and especially from geology, are very numerous, as I hope to show in
+subsequent lectures. But I now return to the inquiry, whether the
+principles of science, and especially of geology, are so well settled that
+we can employ them in this manner.
+
+As to the more mathematical sciences, there will be no one to doubt but
+some of their principles must be admitted as infallible truth; for our
+minds are so constituted that they are incapable of resisting a fair
+presentation of mathematical demonstration. Now, there is scarcely any
+physical science that is not based more or less upon mathematical truth;
+and as to the facts in those sciences, some of them are so multiplied, and
+speak so uniformly the same language, that we doubt them no more than we
+do a mathematical demonstration. Other classes of facts are less decided;
+and in some cases they are so insulated as to be regarded as anomalies, to
+be set aside until better understood. The same grades of certainty exist
+in respect to inferences from the facts of science. Some theories are
+scarcely less doubtful than mathematics; others are as strong as probable
+reasoning can make them; and others are merely plausible. Hypotheses are
+still less to be trusted, though sometimes extremely probable.
+
+Now, most of the physical sciences embrace facts, theories, and
+hypotheses, that range widely along the scale of probability, from decided
+demonstration to ingenious conjecture. It is easy, however, in general, to
+distinguish the demonstrated and the permanent from the conjectural and
+the fanciful; and when we bring the principles of any science into
+comparison with religion, it is chiefly the former that should be
+considered, although scientific hypothesis may sometimes be made to
+illustrate religious hypothesis. But, passing by all other sciences, it is
+my desire to present before you, on this occasion, the claims of geology,
+as having fundamental principles so well settled that they claim attention
+from the interpreter of the Bible. I ought, however, to remark, that there
+exists a strange jealousy of this science even among intelligent men; a
+suspicion that its votaries have jumped at strange and dangerous
+conclusions through the influence of hypothesis, and that in fact the
+whole science is little else but hypothesis, and that there is almost no
+agreement even among its ablest cultivators. It is indeed a comparatively
+recent science, and its remarkable developments have succeeded one another
+so rapidly, as to leave men in doubt whether it would not prove a dazzling
+meteor, instead of a steady and permanent luminary. When the men who are
+now in the full maturity of judgment and reason, (and whose favorable
+opinion I am, therefore, anxious above that of all others to secure,) when
+these were young, geology did not constitute a branch of finished
+education; and amid the pressure of the cares and duties of middle life,
+how few find the leisure, to say nothing of the disposition, carefully to
+investigate a new and extensive science! Even though younger men should be
+found standing forth as the advocates of geology, yet how natural for
+those more advanced to impute this to the ardor and love of novelty,
+characteristic of youth!
+
+There is another difficulty, in relation to this subject, that embarrasses
+me. It is not even yet generally understood that geology is a branch of
+knowledge which requires long and careful study fully to understand; that
+a previous knowledge of many other sciences is indispensable in order to
+comprehend its reasonings; that its reasonings are in fact, for the most
+part, to be mastered only by long and patient consideration; and finally,
+and more especially, that they will appear inconclusive and feeble, unless
+a man has become somewhat familiar with specimens of rocks and fossils,
+and has examined strata as they lie in the earth. How very imperfect must
+be the most intelligent man's knowledge of botany, who had never examined
+any plants; or of chemistry, who had not seen any of the simple
+substances, nor experiments upon them in the laboratory; or of
+crystallography, whose eyes had perhaps never rested upon a crystal. No
+less important is it that he, who would reason correctly about rocks and
+their organic contents, should have studied rocks. But upon such an amount
+of knowledge it is no disparagement to say we have no right to presume in
+all, even of publicly educated men. Before such a state of preparation can
+exist, it is necessary that practical geology, at least, should be
+introduced into our schools of every grade, as it might be with great
+success.
+
+It ought to be mentioned, in this connection, that, within a few years
+past, geology has experienced several severe attacks of a peculiar
+character. Men of respectable ability, and decided friends of revelation,
+having got fully impressed with the belief that the views of geologists
+are hostile to the Bible, have set themselves to an examination of their
+writings, not so much with a view of understanding the subject, as of
+finding contradictions and untenable positions. The next step has been to
+write a book against geology, abounding, as we might expect from men of
+warm temperament, of such prejudices, and without a practical knowledge of
+geology, with striking misapprehensions of facts and opinions, with
+positive and dogmatic assertions, with severe personal insinuations, great
+ignorance of correct reasoning in geology, and the substitution of wild
+and extravagant hypotheses for geological theories.
+
+Hence English literature has been prolific of such works as "A Comparative
+Estimate of the Mineral and Mosaic Geologies," by Granville Penn; the
+"Geology of Scripture," by Fairholme; "Scriptural Geology," by Dr. Young;
+"Popular Geology subversive of Divine Revelation," by Rev. Henry Cole;
+"Strictures on Geology and Astronomy," by Rev. R. Wilson; "Scripture
+Evidences of Creation, and Geology, and Scripture Cosmogony," by anonymous
+authors; and many other similar productions that might be named. The warm
+zeal displayed, and doubtless felt, by these writers for the Bible; their
+familiar reference to eminent geological authors, as if they understood
+them; the skill in philology, which they frequently exhibit; and the want
+of a wide-spread and accurate knowledge of geology in the community,--have
+given to these works a far more extensive circulation than those works
+have had, which view geology as illustrating and not opposing revelation.
+Foremost among these is the lectures of the venerable and learned Dr. John
+Pye Smith, late principal of the Homerton Divinity College, London, "On
+the Relations between the Holy Scriptures and some Parts of Geological
+Science."[4] This work, the result of long and patient research, and
+emanating from a man of eminent piety as well as learning, affords a full
+refutation of all the works that have been named, and in the kindness and
+candor of its spirit exhibits a fine contrast to their intolerance and
+dogmatism. In the profound works of Dr. Harris, entitled "The Pre-Adamite
+Earth," and "Man Primeval," the connections of geology and revelation are
+briefly but ably treated, and also its connection with natural religion.
+Quite recently, a small and more popular work on this subject has been
+published by Rev. David King, LL. D., of Glasgow, well worthy of
+attention. "The Course of Creation," by Rev. John Anderson, D.D. of recent
+publication, displays much learning and candor. But the causes that have
+been mentioned have secured a much wider circulation for the class of
+works first named, than for the latter, among the religious community
+generally. The consequence is, that the public mind is possessed of many
+prejudices unfavorable to the religious bearings of geology, and
+unfavorable to an impartial examination of its claims.
+
+Under these circumstances, all that I can do is to state definitely what I
+apprehend to be the established principles of the science that have a
+bearing upon religious truth, and refer my hearers to standard works on
+the subject for the proof that they are true. If any will not take the
+trouble to examine the proofs, I trust they will have candor and
+impartiality enough not to deny my positions.
+
+The first important conclusion, to which every careful observer will come,
+is, that the rocks of all sorts, which compose the present crust of the
+globe, so far as it has been explored, at least to the depth of several
+miles, appear to have been the result of second causes; that is, they are
+now in a different state from that in which they were originally created.
+
+It is indeed a favorite idea with some, that all the rocks and their
+contents were created just as we now meet them, in a moment of time; that
+the supposed remains of animals and plants, which many of them contain,
+and which occur in all states, from an animal or plant little changed, to
+a complete conversion into stone, were never real animals and plants, but
+only resemblances; and that the marks of fusion and of the wearing of
+water, exhibited by the rocks, are not to be taken as evidences that they
+have undergone such processes, but only that it has pleased God to give
+them that appearance and that in fact it was as easy for God to create
+them just as they now are as in any other form.
+
+It is a presumption against such a supposition, that no men, who have
+carefully examined rocks and organic remains, are its advocates. Not that
+they doubt the power of God to produce such effects, but they deny the
+probability that He has exerted it in this manner; for throughout nature,
+wherever they have an opportunity to witness her operations, they find
+that when substances appear to have undergone changes, by means of
+secondary agencies, they have in fact undergone them; and, therefore, the
+whole analogy of nature goes to prove that the rocks have experienced
+great changes since their deposition. If rocks are an exception to the
+rest of nature,--that is, if they are the effect of miraculous
+agency,--there is no proof of it; and to admit it without proof is to
+destroy all grounds of analogical reasoning in natural operations; in
+other words, it is to remove the entire basis of reasoning in physical
+science. Every reasonable man, therefore, who has examined rocks, will
+admit that they have undergone important changes since their original
+formation.
+
+In the second place, the same general laws appear to have always prevailed
+on the globe, and to have controlled the changes which have taken place
+upon and within it. We come to no spot, in the history of the rocks, in
+which a system different from that which now prevails appears to have
+existed. Great peculiarities in the structure of animals and plants do
+indeed occur, as well as changes on a scale of magnitude unknown at
+present; but this was only a wise adaptation to peculiar circumstances,
+and not an infringement of the general laws.
+
+In the third place, the geological changes which the earth has undergone,
+and is now undergoing, appear to have been the result of the same
+agencies, viz., heat and water.
+
+Fourthly. It is demonstrated that the present continents of the globe,
+with perhaps the exception of some of their highest mountains, have for a
+long period constituted the bottom of the ocean, and have been
+subsequently either elevated into their present position, or the waters
+have been drained off from their surface. This is probably the most
+important principle in geology; and though regarded with much scepticism
+by many, it is as satisfactorily proved as any principle of physical
+science not resting on mathematical demonstration.
+
+Fifthly. The internal parts of the earth are found to possess a very high
+temperature; nor can it be doubted that at least oceans of melted matter
+exist beneath the crust, and perhaps even all the deep-seated interior is
+in a state of fusion.
+
+Sixthly. The fossiliferous rocks, or such as contain animals and plants,
+are not less than six or seven miles in perpendicular thickness, and are
+composed of hundreds of alternating layers of different kinds, all of
+which appear to have been deposited, just as rocks are now forming, at the
+bottom of lakes and seas; and hence their deposition must have occupied an
+immense period of time. Even if we admit that this deposition went on in
+particular places much faster than at present, a variety of facts forbids
+the supposition that this was the general mode of their formation.
+
+Seventhly. The remains of animals and plants found in the earth are not
+mingled confusedly together, but are found arranged, for the most part, in
+as much order as the drawers of a well-regulated cabinet. In general, they
+appear to have lived and died on or near the spots where they are now
+found; and as countless millions of these remains are often found piled
+together, so as to form almost entire mountains, the periods requisite
+for their formation must have been immensely long, as was taught in the
+preceding proposition.
+
+Eighthly. Still further confirmation of the same important principle is
+found in the well-established fact, that there have been upon the globe,
+previous to the existing races, not less than five distinct periods of
+organized existence; that is, five great groups of animals and plants, so
+completely independent that no species whatever is found in more than one
+of them, have lived and successively passed away before the creation of
+the races that now occupy the surface. Other standard writers make the
+number of these periods of existence as many as twelve. Comparative
+anatomy testifies that so unlike in structure were these different groups,
+that they could not have coëxisted in the same climate and other external
+circumstances.
+
+Ninthly. In the earliest times in which animals and plants lived, the
+climate over the whole globe appears to have been as warm as, or even
+warmer than, it is now between the tropics. And the slow change from
+warmer to colder appears to have been the chief cause of the successive
+destruction of the different races; and new ones were created, better
+adapted to the altered condition of the globe; and yet each group seems to
+have occupied the globe through a period of great length, so that we have
+here another evidence of the vast cycles of duration that must have rolled
+away even since the earth became a habitable globe.
+
+Tenthly. There is no small reason to suppose that the globe underwent
+numerous changes previous to the time when animals were placed upon it;
+that, in fact, the time was when the whole matter of the earth was in a
+melted state, and not improbably also even in a gaseous state. These
+points, indeed, are not as well established as the others that have been
+mentioned; but, if admitted, they give to the globe an incalculable
+antiquity.
+
+Eleventhly. It appears that the present condition of the earth's crust and
+surface was of comparatively recent commencement; otherwise the steep
+flanks of mountains would have ceased to crumble down, and wide oceans
+would have been filled with alluvial deposits.
+
+Twelfthly. Among the thirty thousand species of animals and plants found
+in the rocks,[5] very few living species have been detected; and even
+these few occur in the most recent rocks, while in the secondary group,
+not less than six miles thick, not a single species now on the globe has
+been discovered. Hence the present races did not exist till after those in
+the secondary rocks had died. No human remains have been found below those
+alluvial deposits which are now forming by rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
+Hence geology infers that man was one of the latest animals that was
+placed on the globe.
+
+Thirteenthly. The surface of the earth has undergone an enormous amount of
+erosion by the action of the ocean, the rivers, and the atmosphere. The
+ocean has worn away the solid rock, in some parts of the world, not less
+than ten thousand feet in depth, and rivers have cut channels through the
+hardest strata, hundreds of feet deep and several miles long; both of
+which effects demand periods inconceivably long.
+
+Fourteenthly. At a comparatively recent date, northern and southern
+regions have been swept over and worn down by the joint action of ice and
+water, the force in general having been directed towards the equator.
+This is called the _drift_ period.
+
+Fifteenthly. Since the drift period, the ocean has stood some thousands of
+feet above its present level in many countries.
+
+Sixteenthly. There is evidence, in regard to some parts of the world, that
+the continents are now experiencing slow vertical movements--some places
+sinking, and others rising. And hence a presumption is derived that, in
+early times, such changes may have been often repeated, and on a great
+scale.
+
+Seventeenthly. Every successive change of importance on the earth's
+surface appears to have been an improvement of its condition, adapting it
+to beings of a higher organization, and to man at last, the most perfect
+of all.
+
+Finally. The present races of animals and plants on the globe are for the
+most part disposed in groups, occupying particular districts, beyond whose
+limits the species peculiar to those provinces usually droop and die. The
+same is true, to some extent, as to the animals and plants found in the
+rocks; though the much greater uniformity of climate, that prevailed in
+early times, permitted organized beings to take a much wider range than at
+present; so that the zoölogical and botanical districts were then probably
+much wider. But the general conclusion, in respect to living and extinct
+animals, is, that there must have been several centres of creation, from
+which they emigrated as far as their natures would allow them to range.
+
+It would be easy to state more principles of geology of considerable
+importance; but I have now named the principal ones that bear upon the
+subject of religion. A brief statement of the leading truths of theology,
+whether natural or revealed, which these principles affect, and on which
+they cast light, will give an idea of the subjects which I propose to
+discuss in these lectures.
+
+The first point relates to the age of the world. For while it has been the
+usual interpretation of the Mosaic account, that the world was brought
+into existence nearly at the same time with man and the other existing
+animals, geology throws back its creation to a period indefinitely but
+immeasurably remote. The question is not whether man has existed on the
+globe longer than the common interpretation of Genesis requires,--for here
+geology and the Bible speak the same language,--but whether the globe
+itself did not exist long before his creation; that is, long before the
+six days' work, so definitely described in the Mosaic account? In other
+words, is not this a case in which the discoveries of science enable us
+more accurately to understand the Scriptures?
+
+The introduction of death into the world, and the specific character of
+that death described in Scripture as the consequence of sin, are the next
+points where geology touches the subject of religion. Here, too, the
+general interpretation of Scripture is at variance with the facts of
+geology, which distinctly testify to the occurrence of death among animals
+long before the existence of man. Shall geology here, also, be permitted
+to modify our exposition of the Bible?
+
+The subject of deluges, and especially that of Noah, will next claim our
+attention. For though it is now generally agreed that geology cannot
+detect traces of such a deluge as the Scriptures describe, yet upon some
+other bearings of that subject it does cast light; and so remarkable is
+the history of opinions concerning the Noachian deluge, that it could not
+on that account alone be properly passed in silence.
+
+It is well known that the philosophy of antiquity, almost without
+exception, regarded matter as eternal; and in modern times, metaphysical
+theology has done its utmost to refute the supposed dangerous dogma.
+Geology affords us some new views of the subject; and although it does not
+directly refute the doctrine, it brings before us facts of such a nature
+as to show, that, so far as religion is concerned, such a refutation is of
+little importance. This will furnish another theme of discussion.
+
+It may be thought extravagant, but I hazard the assertion, that no science
+is so prolific of direct testimony to the benevolence of the Deity as
+geology; and some of its facts bear strongly upon the objections to this
+doctrine. So important a subject will, therefore, occupy at least one or
+two lectures.
+
+In all ages, philosophers have, in one form or another, endeavored to
+explain the origin and the phenomena of creation by a power inherent in
+nature, independent of a personal Deity, usually denominated _natural
+law_. And in modern times this hypothesis has assumed a popular form and a
+plausible dress. Not less than one lecture is demanded for its
+examination, especially as its advocates appeal with special confidence to
+geology for its support.
+
+In existing nature, no one fact stands out more prominently than unity of
+design; and it is an interesting inquiry, whether the same general system
+prevailed through the vast periods of geological history as that which now
+adorns our globe. This question I shall endeavor to answer in the
+affirmative, by appealing to a multitude of facts.
+
+Another question of deep interest in theology is, whether the Deity
+exercises over the world any special providence; whether he ever
+interferes with the usual order of things by introducing change; or
+whether he has committed nature to the control of unalterable laws,
+without any direct efficiency. Light is thrown on these points by the
+researches of geology, if I mistake not; and I shall not fail to attempt
+its development.
+
+This science also discloses to us many new views of the vast plans of the
+Deity, and thus enlarges our conceptions of his wisdom and knowledge. In
+this field we must allow ourselves to wander in search of the golden
+fruit.
+
+In the course of the discussion, we shall direct our attention to the new
+heavens and the new earth described in the Bible, and inquire whether
+geology does not cast a glimpse of light upon that difficult subject.
+
+In approaching the close of our subject, we shall introduce a few lectures
+having a wider range, and deriving less elucidation from geology than from
+other sciences. One is a consideration of the physical effects of human
+actions upon the universe. And in conclusion of the whole subject, we
+shall endeavor to show that the bearings of all science, when rightly
+understood, are eminently favorable to religion, both in this world and
+the next.
+
+With a few miscellaneous inferences from the principles advanced, I shall
+close this lecture.
+
+In the first place, we see that the points of connection between geology
+and religion are numerous and important. A few years since, geology,
+instead of being appealed to for the illustration of religious truth, was
+regarded with great jealousy, as a repository of views favorable to
+infidelity, and even to atheism. But if the summary which I have exhibited
+of its religious relations be correct, from what other science can we
+obtain so many illustrations of natural and revealed religion?
+Distinguished Christian writers are beginning to gather fruit in this new
+field, and the clusters already presented us by such men as Dr. Chalmers,
+Dr. Pye Smith, Dr. Buckland, Dr. Harris, and Dr. King, are an earnest of
+an abundant harvest. I hazard the prediction that the time is not far
+distant when it will be said of this, as of another noble science, "The
+undevout _geologist_ is mad."
+
+Secondly. I would bespeak the candid attention of those sceptical minds,
+that are ever ready to imagine discrepancies between science and religion,
+to the views which I am about to present. The number of such is indeed
+comparatively small; yet there are still some prepared to seize upon every
+new scientific fact, before it is fully developed, that can be made to
+assume the appearance of opposition to religion. It is strange that they
+should not ere this time despair of making any serious impression upon the
+citadel of Christianity. For of all the numerous assaults of this kind
+that have been made, not one has destroyed even an outpost of religion.
+Just so soon as the subject was fully understood, every one of them has
+been abandoned; and even the most violent unbeliever never thinks, at the
+present day, of arraying them against the Bible. One needs no prophetic
+inspiration to be confident that every geological objection to
+Christianity, which perhaps now and then an unbeliever of limited
+knowledge still employs, will pass into the same limbo of forgetfulness.
+
+Finally. I would throw out a caution to those friends of religion who are
+very fearful that the discoveries of science will prove injurious to
+Christianity. Why should the enlightened Christian, who has a correct idea
+of the firm foundation on which the Bible rests, fear that any disclosures
+of the arcana of nature should shake its authority or weaken its
+influence? Is not the God of revelation the God of nature also? and must
+not his varied works tend to sustain and elucidate, instead of weakening
+and darkening, one another? Has Christianity suffered because the
+Copernican system of astronomy has proved true, or because chemistry has
+demonstrated that the earth is already for the most part oxidized, and
+therefore cannot literally be burned hereafter? Just as much as gold
+suffers by passing through the furnace. Yet how many fears agitated the
+hearts of pious men when these scientific truths were first announced! The
+very men who felt so strong a conviction of the truth of the Bible, that
+they were ready to go to the stake in its defence, have trembled and
+uttered loud notes of warning when the votaries of science have brought
+out some new fact, that seemed perhaps at first, or when partially
+understood, to contravene some statement of revelation. The effect has
+been to make sceptical minds look with suspicion, and sometimes with
+contempt, upon Christianity itself. It has built up a wall of separation
+between science and religion, which is yet hardly broken down. For
+notwithstanding the instructive history of the past on this subject,
+although every supposed discrepancy between philosophy and religion has
+vanished as soon as both were thoroughly understood, yet so soon as
+geology began to develop her marvellous truths, the cry of danger to
+religion became again the watchword, and the precursor of a more extended
+and severe attack upon that science than any other has ever experienced,
+and the prelude, I am sorry to say, of severe personal charges of
+infidelity against many an honest friend of religion.
+
+In contrast to the contracted views and groundless fears that have been
+described, it is refreshing to meet with such sentiments as the following,
+from men eminent for learning, and some of them veterans in theological
+science. With these I close this lecture.
+
+"Those rocks which stand forth in the order of their formation," says Dr.
+Chalmers, "and are each imprinted with their own peculiar fossil remains,
+have been termed the archives of nature, where she hath recorded the
+changes that have taken place in the history of the globe. They are made
+to serve the purpose of scrolls or inscriptions, on which we might read of
+those great steps and successions by which the earth has been brought into
+its present state; and should these archives of nature be but truly
+deciphered, we are not afraid of their being openly confronted with the
+archives of revelation. It is unmanly to blink the approach of light, from
+whatever quarter of observation it may fall upon us; and those are not the
+best friends of Christianity, who feel either dislike or alarm when the
+torch of science, or the torch of history, is held up to the Bible. For
+ourselves, we are not afraid when the eye of an intrepid, if it be only a
+sound philosophy, scrutinizes, however jealously, all its pages. We have
+no dread of any apprehended conflict between the doctrines of Scripture
+and the discoveries of science, persuaded, as we are, that whatever story
+the geologists of our day shall find engraven on the volume of nature, it
+will only accredit that story which is graven on the volume of
+revelation."--_Chalmers's Works_, vol. ii. p. 227.
+
+"For our own part," says Rev. Henry Melville, "we have no fears that any
+discoveries of science will really militate against the disclosures of
+Scripture. We remember how, in darker days, ecclesiastics set themselves
+against philosophers who were investigating the motions of the heavenly
+bodies, apprehensive that the new theories were at variance with the
+Bible, and therefore resolved to denounce them as heresies, and stop their
+spread by persecution. But truth triumphed; bigotry and ignorance could
+not long prevail to the hiding from the world the harmonious walkings of
+stars and planets; and ever since, the philosophy which laid open the
+wonders of the universe hath proved herself the handmaid of revelation,
+which divulged secrets far beyond her gaze. And thus, we are persuaded,
+shall it always be; science may scale new heights and explore new depths,
+but she shall bring back nothing from her daring and successful excursions
+which will not, when rightly understood, yield a fresh tribute of
+testimony to the Bible. Infidelity may watch her progress with eagerness,
+exulting in the thought that she is furnishing facts with which the
+Christian system may be strongly assailed; but the champions of revelation
+may confidently attend her in every march, assured that she will find
+nothing which contradicts, if it do not actually confirm, the word which
+they know to be divine."--_Sermons, 2d Am. edit._ vol. ii. p. 298.
+
+"Shall it then any longer be said," says Dr. Buckland, "that a science,
+which unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God,
+can reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient
+auxiliary and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be, whom
+timidity, or prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its
+evidence; who are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the extent and
+magnitude, of the views which geology forces on their attention, and who
+would rather have kept closed the volume of witness, which has been sealed
+up for ages, beneath the surface of the earth, than impose upon the
+student in natural theology the duty of studying its contents;--a duty in
+which, for lack of experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or a
+laborious task, but which, by those engaged in it, is found to afford a
+rational, and righteous, and delightful exercise of their highest
+faculties, in multiplying the evidences of the existence, and attributes,
+and providence of God."
+
+"It follows then," says Dr. J. Pye Smith, "as a universal truth, that the
+Bible, faithfully interpreted, erects no bar against the most free and
+extensive investigation, the most comprehensive and searching induction.
+Let but the investigation be sufficient, and the induction honest; let
+observation take its farthest flight; let experiment penetrate into all
+the recesses of nature; let the veil of ages be lifted up from all that
+has been hitherto unknown,--if such a course were possible, religion need
+not fear; Christianity is secure, and true science will always pay homage
+to the divine Creator and Sovereign, _of whom, and through whom, and to
+whom are all things; and unto whom be glory forever_."--_Lectures on
+Scripture and Geology, 4th London edit._ p. 223.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE II.
+
+THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH'S CREATION UNREVEALED.
+
+
+The Mosaic account of the creation of the universe has always been
+celebrated for its sublime simplicity. Though the subject be one of
+unparalleled grandeur, the writer makes not the slightest effort at
+rhetorical embellishment, but employs language which a mere child cannot
+misapprehend. How different, in this respect, is this inspired record from
+all uninspired efforts that have been made to describe the origin of the
+world!
+
+But notwithstanding the great simplicity and clearness of this
+description, its precise meaning has occasioned as much discussion as
+almost any passage of Scripture. This results chiefly from its great
+brevity. Men with different views of inspiration, cosmogony, and
+philosophy, engage in its examination, not so much to ascertain its
+meaning, as to find out whether it teaches their favorite speculative
+views; and because it says nothing about them, they attempt to fasten
+those views upon it, and thus make it teach a great deal more than the
+mind of the Spirit. My simple object, at this time, is to ascertain
+whether the Bible fixes the time when the universe was created out of
+nothing.
+
+The prevalent opinion, until recently, has been, that we are there taught
+that the world began to exist on the first of the six days of creation, or
+about six thousand years ago. Geologists, however, with one voice, declare
+that their science indicates the earth to have been of far higher
+antiquity. The question becomes, therefore, of deep interest, whether the
+common interpretation of the Mosaic record is correct.
+
+Let us, in the first place, examine carefully the terms of that record;
+without reference to any of the conclusions of science.
+
+A preliminary inquiry, however, will here demand attention, to which I
+have already given some thoughts in the first lecture. The inquiry relates
+to the mode in which the sacred writers describe natural phenomena.
+
+Do they adapt their descriptions to the views and feelings of
+philosophers, or even the common people, in the nineteenth century, or to
+the state of knowledge and the prevalent opinions of a people but slightly
+removed from barbarism?
+
+Do they write as if they meant to correct the notions of men on natural
+subjects, when they knew them to be wrong; or as if they did not mean to
+decide whether the popular opinion were true or false? These points have
+been examined with great skill and candor by a venerable clergyman of
+England, whose praise is in all the American churches, and whose skill in
+sacred philology, and profound acquaintance with the Bible, none will
+question, any more than they will his deep-toned piety and enlarged and
+liberal views of men and things. I refer to Dr. J. Pye Smith, lately at
+the head of the Homerton Divinity College, near London.[6]
+
+He first examines the style in which the Old Testament describes the
+character and operations of Jehovah, and shows that it is done "in
+language borrowed from the bodily and mental constitution of man, and from
+those opinions concerning the works of God in the natural world, which
+were generally received by the people to whom the blessings of revelation
+were granted." Constant reference is made to material images, and to human
+feelings and conduct, as if the people addressed were almost incapable of
+spiritual and abstract ideas. This, of course, gives a notion of God
+infinitely beneath the glories of his character; but to uncultivated minds
+it was the only representation of his character that would give them any
+idea of it. Nay, even in this enlightened age, such descriptions are far
+more impressive than any other upon the mass of mankind; while those,
+whose minds are more enlightened, find no difficulty in inculcating the
+pure truth respecting God from these comparatively gross descriptions.
+
+Now, if, upon a point of such vast importance as the divine character,
+revelation, thus condescends to human weakness and ignorance, much more
+might we expect it, in regard to the less important subject of natural
+phenomena. We find, accordingly, that they are described as they appear to
+the common eye, and not in their real nature; or, in the language of
+Rosenmuller, the Scriptures speak "according to optical, and not physical
+truth." They make no effort to correct even the grossest errors, on these
+subjects, that then prevailed.
+
+The earth, as we have seen on a former occasion, is described as
+immovable, in the centre of the universe, and the heavenly bodies as
+revolving round it diurnally. The firmament over us is represented as a
+solid, extended substance, sustaining an ocean above it, with openings, or
+windows, through which the waters may descend. In respect to the human
+system, the Scriptures refer intellectual operations to the reins, or the
+region of the kidneys, and pain to the bones. In short, the descriptions
+of natural things are adapted to the very erroneous notions which
+prevailed in the earliest ages of society and among the common people. But
+it is as easy to interpret such descriptions in conformity to the present
+state of physical science, as it is to divest the scriptural
+representations of the Deity of their material dress, and make them
+conform to the spiritual views that now prevail. No one regards it as any
+objection to the Old Testament, that it gives a description of the divine
+character so much less spiritual than the views adopted by the theologians
+of the nineteenth century; why then should they regard it as derogatory to
+inspiration to adopt the same method as to natural objects?
+
+These considerations will afford us some assistance in rightly
+interpreting the description of the creation, in the first chapter of
+Genesis, to which we will now turn our attention.
+
+_In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was
+without form and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the
+Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there
+be light, and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good. And
+God divided the light from the darkness, and the light he called day, and
+the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the
+first day._
+
+The first question that arises, on reading this passage, is, whether the
+creation here described was a creation out of nothing, or out of
+preëxisting materials. The latter opinion has been maintained by some
+able, and generally judicious commentators and theologians, such as
+Doederlin and Dathe in Germany, Milton in England, and Bush and Schmucker
+in this country. They do not deny that the Bible, in other places, teaches
+distinctly the creation of the universe out of nothing. But they contend
+that the word translated _to create_, in the first verse of Genesis,
+teaches only a renovation, or remodelling, of the universe from matter
+already in existence.
+
+That there is a degree of ambiguity in all languages, in the words that
+signify to _create_, to _make_, to _form_, and the like, cannot be
+doubted; that is, these words may be properly used to describe the
+production of a substance out of matter already in existence, as well as
+out of nothing; and, therefore, we must resort to the context, or the
+nature of the subject, to ascertain in which of those senses such words
+are used. The same word, for instance, (_bawraw_,) that is used in the
+first verse of Genesis, to describe the creation of the universe, is
+employed in the 27th verse of the same chapter, to describe the formation
+of man out of the dust of the earth. There was, however, no peculiar
+ambiguity in the use of the Hebrew words _bawraw_ and _awsaw_, which
+correspond to our words _create_ and _make_; and, therefore, it is not
+necessary to be an adept in Hebrew literature to judge of the question
+under consideration. We have only to determine whether the translation of
+the Mosaic account of the creation most reasonably teaches a production of
+the matter of the universe from nothing, or only its renovation, and we
+have decided what is taught in the original.
+
+Now, there can hardly be a doubt but Moses intended to teach, in this
+passage, that the universe owed its origin to Jehovah, and not to the
+idols of the heathen; and since all acknowledge that other parts of
+Scripture teach, that, when the world was made, it was produced out of
+nothing, why should we not conclude that the same truth is taught in this
+passage? The language certainly will bear that meaning; indeed, it is
+almost as strong as language can be to express such a meaning; and does
+not the passage look like a distinct avowal of this great truth, at the
+very commencement of the inspired record, in order to refute the opinion,
+so prevalent in early times, that the world is eternal?
+
+The next inquiry concerning the passage relates to the phrase _the heavens
+and the earth_. Does it comprehend the universe? So it must have been
+understood by the Jews; for their language could not furnish a more
+comprehensive phrase to designate the universe. True, these words, like
+those already considered, are used sometimes in a limited sense. But in
+this place their broadest signification is in perfect accordance with the
+scope of the passage and with the whole tenor of the Scripture. We may,
+therefore, conclude with much certainty, that God intended in this place
+to declare the great truth, that there was a time in past eternity when
+the whole material universe came into existence at his irresistible
+fiat:--a truth eminently proper to stand at the head of a divine
+revelation.
+
+But when did this stupendous event occur? Does the phrase _in the
+beginning_ show us when? Surely not; for no language can be more
+indefinite as to time. Whenever it is used in the Bible, it merely
+designates the commencement of the series of events, or the periods of
+time, that are described. _In the beginning was the word_; that is, at the
+commencement of things the word was in existence; consequently was from
+eternity. But in Genesis the act of creation is represented by this phrase
+simply as the commencement of the material universe, at a certain point of
+time in past eternity, which is not chronologically fixed. The first verse
+merely informs us, that the first act of the Deity in relation to the
+universe was the creation of the heavens and the earth out of nothing.
+
+It is contended, however, that the first verse is so connected with the
+six days' work of creation, related in the subsequent verse, that we must
+understand the phrase _in the beginning_ as the commencement of the first
+day. This is the main point to be examined in relation to the passage, and
+therefore deserves a careful consideration.
+
+If the first verse must be understood as a summary account of the six
+days' work which follows in detail, then _the beginning_ was the
+commencement of the first day, and of course only about six thousand years
+ago. But if it may be understood as an announcement of the act of creation
+at some indefinite point in past duration, then a period may have
+intervened between that first creative act and the subsequent six days'
+work. I contend that the passage admits of either interpretation, without
+any violence to the language or the narration.
+
+The first of these interpretations is the one usually received, and,
+therefore, it will be hardly necessary to attempt to show that it is
+admissible. The second has had fewer advocates, and will, therefore, need
+to be examined.
+
+The particle _and_, which is used in our translation of this passage to
+connect the successive sentences, furnishes an argument to the English
+reader against this second mode of interpretation, which has far less
+force with one acquainted with the original Hebrew. The particle thus
+translated is the general connecting particle of the Hebrew language, and
+"may be copulative, or disjunctive, or adversative; or it may express a
+mere annexation to a former topic of discourse,--the connection being only
+that of the subject matter, or the continuation of the composition. This
+continuative use forms one of the most marked peculiarities of the Hebrew
+idiom, and it comprehends every variety of mode in which one train of
+sentiment may be appended to another."--J. Pye Smith, _Scrip. and Geol._
+p. 195, 4th edit.
+
+In the English Bible this particle is usually rendered by the copulative
+conjunction _and_; in the Septuagint, and in Josephus, however, it
+sometimes has the sense of _but_. And some able commentators are of
+opinion that it admits of a similar translation in the passage under
+consideration. The elder Rosenmuller says we might read it thus: "_In the
+beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Afterwards the earth was
+desolate_," &c. Or the particle _afterwards_ may be placed at the
+beginning of any of the succeeding verses. Thus, In the beginning God
+created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was desolate, and
+darkness was upon the face of the waters. _Afterwards_ the Spirit of God
+moved upon the face of the waters. Dr. Dathe, who has been styled, by good
+authority, (Dr. Smith,) "a cautious and judicious critic," renders the
+first two verses in this manner: "In the beginning God created the heavens
+and the earth; but afterwards the earth became waste and desolate." If
+such translations as these be admissible, the passage not only allows, but
+expressly teaches, that a period intervened between the first act of
+creation and the six days' work. And if such an interval be allowed, it is
+all that geology requires to reconcile its facts to revelation. For
+during that time, all the changes of mineral constitution and organic
+life, which that science teaches to have taken place on the globe,
+previous to the existence of man, may have occurred.
+
+It is a presumption in favor of such an interpretation that the second
+verse describes the state of the globe after its creation and before the
+creation of light. For if there were no interval between the fiat that
+called matter into existence, and that which said, _Let there be light_,
+why should such a description of the earth's waste and desolate condition
+be given?
+
+But if there had been such an intervening period, it is perfectly natural
+that such a description should precede the history of successive creative
+acts, by which the world was adorned with light and beauty, and filled
+with inhabitants.
+
+But, after all, would such an interpretation have ever been thought of,
+had not the discoveries of geology seemed to demand it?
+
+This can be answered by inquiring whether any of the writers on the Bible,
+who lived before geology existed, or had laid claims for a longer period
+previous to man's creation, whether any of these adopted such an
+interpretation. We have abundant evidence that they did. Many of the early
+fathers of the church were very explicit on this subject. Augustin,
+Theodoret, and others, supposed that the first verse of Genesis describes
+the creation of matter distinct from, and prior to, the work of six days.
+Justin Martyr and Gregory Nazianzen believed in an indefinite period
+between the creation of matter and the subsequent arrangement of all
+things. Still more explicit are Basil, Cæsarius, and Origen. It would be
+easy to quote similar opinions from more modern writers, who lived
+previous to the developments of geology. But I will give a paragraph from
+Bishop Patrick only, who wrote one hundred and fifty years ago.
+
+"How long," says he, "all things continued in mere confusion after the
+chaos was created, before light was extracted from it, we are not told. It
+might have been, for any thing that is here revealed, a great while; and
+all that time the mighty Spirit was making such motions in it, as
+prepared, disposed, and ripened every part of it for such productions as
+were to appear successively in such spaces of time as are here afterwards
+mentioned by Moses, who informs us, that after things were digested and
+made ready (by long fermentation perhaps) to be wrought into form, God
+produced every day, for six days together, some creature or other, till
+all was finished, of which light was the very first."--_Commentary, in
+loco._
+
+Such evidence as this is very satisfactory. For at the present day one
+cannot but fear that the discoveries of geology may too much influence him
+insensibly to put a meaning upon Scripture which would never have been
+thought of, if not suggested by those discoveries, and which the language
+cannot bear. But those fathers of the church cannot be supposed under the
+influence of any such bias; and, therefore, we may suppose the passage in
+itself to admit of the existence of a long period between the beginning
+and the first demiurgic day.
+
+Against these views philologists have urged several objections not to be
+despised. One is, that light did not exist till the first day, and the sun
+and other luminaries not till the fourth day; whereas the animals and
+plants dug from the rocks could not have existed without light. They could
+not, therefore, have lived in the supposed long period previous to the six
+days.
+
+If it be indeed true, that light was not called into existence till the
+first day, nor the sun till the fourth, this objection is probably
+insuperable. But it would be easy to cite the opinions of many
+distinguished and most judicious expounders of the Bible, showing that the
+words of the Hebrew original do not signify a literal creation of the sun,
+moon, and stars, on the fourth day, but only constituting or appointing
+them, at that time, to be luminaries, and to furnish standards for the
+division of time and other purposes.
+
+The word used is not the same as that employed in the first verse to
+describe the creation of the world; and the passage, rightly understood,
+implies the previous existence of the heavenly bodies. "The words [Hebrew]
+are not to be separated from the rest," says Rosenmuller, "or to be
+rendered _fiant luminaria_, let there be light; i. e., _let light be
+made_; but rather, _let lights be_; that is, serve, in the expanse of
+heaven, for distinguishing between day and night; and let them be, or
+serve, for signs," &c. "The historian speaks (v. 16, end) of the
+determination of the stars to certain uses, which they were to render to
+the earth, and not of their first formation." In like manner we may
+suppose that the production of light was only rendering it visible to the
+earth, over which darkness hitherto brooded; not because no light was in
+existence, but because it did not shine upon the earth.
+
+Another objection to this interpretation is, that the fourth commandment
+of the decalogue expressly declares, that _in six days the Lord made
+heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is_, &c., and thus cuts
+off the idea of a long period intervening between the _beginning_ and the
+six days. I acknowledge that this argument carries upon the face of it a
+good deal of strength; but there are some considerations that seem to me
+to show it to be not entirely demonstrative.
+
+In the first place, it is a correct principle of interpreting language,
+that when a writer describes an event in more than one place, the briefer
+statement is to be explained by the more extended one. Thus, in the second
+chapter of Genesis, we have this brief account of the creation: _These are
+the generations of the heavens and of the earth, when they were created,
+in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens._
+
+Now, if this were the only description of the work of creation on record,
+the inference would be very fair that it was all completed in a single
+day.
+
+Yet when we turn to the first chapter, we find the work prolonged through
+six days. The two statements are not contradictory; but the briefer one
+would not be understood without the more detailed. In like manner, if we
+should find it distinctly stated in the particular account of the creation
+of the universe, in the first chapter of Genesis, that a long period
+actually intervened between the beginning and the six days, who would
+suppose the statement a contradiction to the fourth commandment? It is
+true, we do not find such a fact distinctly announced in the Mosaic
+account of the creation. But suppose we first learn that it did exist from
+geology; why should we not be as ready to admit it as if stated in
+Genesis, provided it does not contradict any thing therein recorded? For
+illustration: let us refer to the account given in Exodus of the parents
+of Moses and their family. _And there went a man of the name of Levi, and
+took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived and bare a son,_
+(that is, Moses,) _and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid
+him three months._ (Ex. ii. 12.) Suppose, now, that no other account
+existed in the Bible of the family of this Levite; we could not surely
+have suspected that Moses had an elder brother and sister. But imagine the
+Bible silent on the subject, and that the fact was first brought to light
+in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics in the nineteenth century; who
+could hesitate to admit its truth because omitted in the Pentateuch? or
+who would regard it in opposition to the sacred record? With equal
+propriety may we admit, on proper geological evidence, the intercalation
+of a long period between the beginning and the six days, if satisfied that
+it does not contradict the Mosaic account. Hence all that is necessary, in
+this connection, for me to show, is, that such contradictions would not be
+made out by such a discovery.
+
+Once more: if this long period had existed, we should hardly have expected
+an allusion to it in the fourth commandment, if the views we have taken
+are correct as to the manner in which the Old Testament treats of natural
+events. It is literally true, that all which the Jews understood by the
+heavens and the earth, was made, (_awsaw_,) that is, renovated, arranged,
+and constituted,--for so the word often means,--in six literal days. Had
+the sacred writer alluded to the earth while without form and void, or to
+the heavenly bodies as any thing more than shining points in the
+firmament, placed there on the fourth day, he could not have been
+understood by the Hebrews, without going into a detailed description, and
+thus violating what seems to have been settled principles in writing the
+Bible, viz., not to treat of natural phenomena with scientific accuracy,
+nor to anticipate any scientific discovery.
+
+I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I am endeavoring to show,
+only, that the language of Scripture will admit of an indefinite interval
+between the first creation of matter and the six demiurgic days. I am
+willing to admit, at least for the sake of argument, that the common
+interpretation, which makes matter only six thousand years old, is the
+most natural. But I contend that no violence is done to the language by
+admitting the other interpretation. And in further proof of this position,
+I appeal to the testimony of distinguished modern theologians and
+philologists, as I have to several of the ancients. This point cannot,
+indeed, be settled by the authority of names. But I cannot believe that
+any will suppose such men as I shall mention were led to adopt this view
+simply because geologists asked for it, while their judgments told them
+that the language of the Bible would not bear such a meaning. When such
+men, therefore, avow their acquiescence in such an interpretation, it
+cannot but strengthen our confidence in its correctness.
+
+"The interval," says Bishop Horsley, "between the production of the matter
+of the chaos and the formation of light, is undescribed and unknown."
+
+"Were we to concede to naturalists," says Baumgarten Crusius, "all the
+reasonings which they advance in favor of the earth's early existence, the
+conclusion would only be, that the earth itself has existed much more than
+six thousand years, and that it had then already suffered many great and
+important revolutions. But if this were so, would the relation of Moses
+thereby become false and untenable? I cannot think so."
+
+"By the phrase _in the beginning_," says Doederlin, "the time is declared
+when something began to be. But when God produced this remarkable work,
+Moses does not precisely define."
+
+"We do not know," says Sharon Turner, "and we have no means of knowing, at
+what point of the ever-flowing eternity of that which is alone
+eternal,--the divine subsistence,--the creation of our earth, or any part
+of the universe, began." "All that we can learn explicitly from revelation
+is, that nearly six thousand years have passed since our first parents
+began to be."
+
+"The words in the text," says Dr. Wiseman, "do not merely express a
+momentary pause between the first fiat of creation and the production of
+light; for the participial form of the verb, whereby the Spirit of God,
+the creative energy, is represented as brooding over the abyss, and
+communicating to it the productive virtue, naturally expresses a
+continuous, and not a passing action."
+
+"I am strongly inclined to believe," says Bishop Gleig, "that the matter
+of the corporeal universe was all created at once; though different
+portions of it may have been reduced to form at very different periods.
+When the universe was created, or how long the solar system remained in a
+chaotic state, are vain inquiries, to which no answer can be given."
+
+"The detailed history of creation in the first chapter of Genesis," says
+Dr. Chalmers, "begins at the middle of the second verse; and what precedes
+might be understood as an introductory sentence, by which we are most
+appositely told, both that God created all things at the first, and that
+afterwards--by what interval of time it is not specified--the earth lapsed
+into a chaos, from the darkness and disorder of which the present system
+or economy of things was made to arise. Between the initial act and the
+details of Genesis, the world, for aught we know, might have been the
+theatre of many revolutions, the traces of which geology may still
+investigate," &c.
+
+"A philological survey of the initial sections of the Bible, (Gen. i. 1 to
+ii. 3,)" says Dr. Pye Smith, "brings out the result;"
+
+1. "That the first sentence is a simple, independent, all-comprehending
+axiom, to this effect,--that _matter_, elementary or combined, aggregated
+only or organized, and _dependent, sentient, and intellectual beings_ have
+not existed from eternity, either in self-continuity or succession, but
+had a beginning; that their beginning took place by the all-powerful will
+of one Being; the self-existent, independent and infinite in all
+perfection; and that the date of that beginning is not made known."
+
+2. "That at a recent epoch, our planet was brought into a state of
+disorganization, detritus, or ruin, (perhaps we have no perfectly
+appropriate term,) from a former condition."
+
+3. "That it pleased the Almighty, wise and benevolent Supreme, out of that
+state of ruin to adjust the surface of the earth to its now existing
+condition,--the whole extending through the period of six natural days."
+
+"I am forming," continues Dr. Smith, "no hypotheses in geology; I only
+plead that _the ground is clear_, and that the dictates of the Scripture
+_interpose no bar_ to observation and reasoning upon the mineralogical
+constitution of the earth, and the remains of organized creatures which
+its strata disclose. If those investigations should lead us to attribute
+to the earth and to the other planets and astral spheres an antiquity
+which millions or ten thousand millions of years might fail to represent,
+_the divine records forbid not their deduction_."--_Script. and Geol._ p.
+502.
+
+Says Dr. Bedford, "We ought to understand Moses as saying, _indefinitely
+far back, and concealed from us in the mystery of eternal ages, prior to
+the first moment of mundane time_, God created the heavens and the
+earth."--Smith, _Script. and Geol._ 4th edit.
+
+"My firm persuasion is," says Dr. Harris, "that the first verse of Genesis
+was designed, by the divine Spirit, to announce the absolute origination
+of the material universe by the Almighty Creator; and that it is so
+understood in the other parts of holy writ; that, passing by an indefinite
+interval, the second verse describes the state of our planet immediately
+prior to the Adamic creation, and, that the third verse begins the account
+of the six days' work."
+
+"If I am reminded, in a tone of animadversion, that I am making science,
+in this instance, the interpreter of Scripture, my reply is, that I am
+simply making the works of God illustrate his word in a department in
+which they speak with a distinct and authoritative voice; that "it is all
+the same whether our geological or theological investigations have been
+prior, if we have not forced the one into accordance with the
+other."--(Davidson, _Sacred Hermeneutics_.) "And that it might be
+deserving consideration, whether or not the conduct of those is not open
+to just animadversion, who first undertake to pronounce on the meaning of
+a passage of Scripture, irrespective of all the appropriate evidence, and
+who then, when that evidence is explored and produced, insist on their _a
+priori_ interpretation as the only true one."--_Pre-Adamite Earth_, p.
+280.
+
+"Our best expositors of Scripture," says Dr. Daniel King, of Glasgow,
+"seem to be now pretty generally agreed, that the opening verse in Genesis
+has no necessary connection with the verses which follow. They think it
+may be understood as making a separate and independent statement regarding
+the creation proper, and that the phrase 'in the beginning' may be
+expressive of an indefinitely remote antiquity. On this principle the
+Bible recognizes, in the first instance, the great age of the earth, and
+then tells us of the changes it underwent at a period long subsequent, in
+order to render it a fit abode for the family of man. The work of the six
+days was not, according to this view, a creation in the strict sense of
+the term, but a renovation, a remodelling of preëxisting
+materials."--_Principles of Geology explained_, &c. p. 40, 1st edit.
+
+"Whether the Mosaic creation," says Dr. Schmucker, of the Lutheran church
+in this country, "refers to the present organization of matter, or to the
+formation of its primary elements, it is not easy to decide. The question
+is certainly not determined by the usage of the original words, [Hebrew]
+which are frequently employed to designate mediate formation. Should the
+future investigations of physical science bring to light any facts,
+indisputably proving the anterior existence of the matter of this earth,
+such facts would not militate against the Christian Scriptures."
+
+"That a very long period," says Dr. Pond,--"how long no being but God can
+tell,--intervened between the creation of the world and the commencement
+of the six days' work recorded in the following verses of the first
+chapter of Genesis, there can, I think, be no reasonable doubt."
+
+But I need not adduce any more advocates of the interpretation of Genesis,
+for which I contend. Men more respected and confided in by the Christian
+world I could not quote, though I might enlarge the number; but I trust it
+is unnecessary. I trust that all who hear me are satisfied that the Mosaic
+history of the creation of the world does fairly admit of an
+interpretation which leaves an undefined interval between the creation of
+matter and the six days' work. Let it be recollected that I do not
+maintain that this is the most natural interpretation, but only that the
+passage will fairly admit it by the strict rules of exegesis. The question
+still remains to be considered, whether there is sufficient reason to
+adopt it as the true interpretation. To show that there is, I now make my
+appeal to geology. This is a case, it seems to me, in which we may call in
+the aid of science to ascertain the true meaning of Scripture. The
+question is, Does geology teach, distinctly and uncontrovertibly, that the
+world must have existed during a long period prior to the existence of the
+races of organized beings that now occupy its surface?
+
+To give a popular view of the evidence sustaining the affirmative of this
+question is no easy task. It needs a full and accurate acquaintance with
+the multiplied facts of geology, and, what is still more rare, a
+familiarity with geological reasoning, in order to feel the full force of
+the arguments that prove the high antiquity of the globe. Yet I know that
+I have a right to presume upon a high degree of scientific knowledge, and
+an accurate acquaintance with geology, among those whom I address.
+
+In the first place, I must recur to a principle already briefly stated in
+a former lecture, viz., that a careful examination of the rocks presents
+irresistible evidence, that, in their present condition, they are all the
+result of second causes; in other words, they are not now in the condition
+in which they were originally created. Some of them have been melted and
+reconsolidated, and crowded in between others, or spread over them. Others
+have been worn down into mud, sand, and gravel, by water and other agents,
+and again cemented together, after having enveloped multitudes of animals
+and plants, which are now imbedded as organic remains. In short, all known
+rocks appear to have been brought into their present state by chemical or
+mechanical agencies. It is indeed easy to say that these appearances are
+deceptive, and that these rocks may, with perfect ease, have been created
+just as we now find them. But it is not easy to retain this opinion, after
+having carefully examined them. For the evidence that they are of
+secondary origin is nearly as strong, and of the same kind too, as it is
+that the remains of edifices lately discovered in Central America are the
+work of man, and were not created in their present condition.
+
+In the second place, processes are going on by which rocks are formed on a
+small scale, of the same character as those which constitute the great
+mass of the earth. Hence it is fair to infer, that all the rocks were
+formed in a similar manner. Beds of gravel, for instance, are sometimes
+cemented together by heat, or iron, or lime, so as to resemble exactly the
+conglomerates found in mountain masses among the ancient rocks. Clay is
+sometimes converted into slate by heat, as is soft marl into limestone, by
+the same cause. In fact, we find causes now in operation that produce all
+the varieties of known rocks, except some of the oldest, which seem to
+need only a greater intensity in some of the causes now at work to produce
+them. By ascertaining the rate at which rocks are now forming, therefore,
+we can form some opinion as to the time requisite to produce those
+constituting the crust of the globe. If, for instance, we can determine
+how fast ponds, lakes, and oceans are filling up with mud, sand, and
+gravel, conveyed to their bottoms, we can judge of the period necessary to
+produce those rocks which appear to have been formed in a similar manner;
+and if there is any evidence that the process was more rapid in early
+times, we can make due allowance.
+
+In the third place, all the stratified rocks appear to have been formed
+out of the fragments of other rocks, worn down by the action of water and
+atmospheric agencies. This is particularly true of that large proportion
+of these rocks which contain the remains of animals and plants. The mud,
+sand, and gravel of which these are mostly composed, must have been worn
+from rocks previously existing, and have been transported into lakes, and
+the ocean, as the same process is now going on. There the animals and
+plants, which died in the waters, and were transported thither by rivers,
+must have been buried; next, the rocks must have been hardened into stone,
+by admixture with lime, or iron, or by internal heat; and, finally, have
+been raised above the waters, so as to become dry land. Beds of limestone
+are interstratified with those of shale, sandstone, and conglomerate; but
+these form only a small proportion of the whole, and, besides, were mostly
+formed in an analogous manner, though by agencies more decidedly chemical.
+
+Now, for the most part, this process of forming rocks by the accumulation
+of mud, sand, and gravel is very slow. In general, such accumulations, at
+the bottom of lakes and the ocean, do not increase more than a few inches
+in a century. During violent floods, indeed, and in a few limited spots,
+the accumulation is much more rapid; as in the Lake of Geneva, through
+which the Rhone, loaded with detritus from the Alps, passes, where a delta
+has been formed two miles long and nine hundred feet thick, within eight
+hundred years.[7] And occasionally such rapid depositions probably took
+place while the older rocks were in the course of formation. But in
+general, the work seems to have gone on as slowly as it usually does at
+present.
+
+Yet, in the fourth place, there must have been time enough since the
+creation to deposit at least ten miles of rocks in perpendicular
+thickness, in the manner that has been described. For the stratified rocks
+are at least of that thickness in Europe, and in this country much
+thicker; or, if we regard only the fossiliferous strata as thus deposited,
+(since some geologists might hesitate to admit that the non-fossiliferous
+rocks were thus produced,) these are six and a half miles thick in Europe,
+and still thicker in this country. How immense a period was requisite for
+such a work! Some do, indeed, contend that the work, in all cases, as we
+have allowed it in a few, may have been vastly more rapid than at the
+present day. But the manner in which the materials are arranged, and
+especially the preservation of the most delicate parts of the organic
+remains, often in the very position in which the animals died, show the
+quiet and slow manner in which the process went on.
+
+In the fifth place, it is certain that, since man existed on the globe,
+materials for the production of rocks have not accumulated to the average
+thickness of more than one hundred or two hundred feet; although in
+particular places, as already mentioned, the accumulations are thicker.
+The evidence of this position is, that neither the works nor the remains
+of man have been found any deeper in the earth than in the upper part of
+that superficial deposit called _alluvium_. But had man existed while the
+other deposits were going on, no possible reason can be given why his
+bones and the fruits of his labors should not be found mixed with those of
+other animals, so abundant in the rocks, to the depth of six or seven
+miles. In the last six thousand years, then, only one five hundredth part
+of the stratified rocks has been accumulated. I mention this fact, not as
+by any means an exact, but only an approximate, measure of the time in
+which the older rocks were deposited; for the precise age of the world is
+probably a problem which science never can solve. All the means of
+comparison within our reach enable us to say, only, that its duration must
+have been immense.
+
+In the sixth place, during the deposition of the stratified rocks, a great
+number of changes must have occurred in the matter of which they are
+composed. Hundreds of such changes can be easily counted, and they often
+imply great changes in the waters holding the materials in solution or
+suspension; such changes, indeed, as must have required different oceans
+over the same spot. Such events could not have taken place without
+extensive elevations and subsidences of the earth's crust; nor could such
+vertical movements have happened without much intervening time, as many
+facts, too technical to be here detailed, show. Here, then, we have
+another evidence of vast periods of time occupied in the secondary
+production and arrangements of the earth's crust.
+
+In the seventh place, numerous races of animals and plants must have
+occupied the globe previous to those which now inhabit it, and have
+successively passed away, as catastrophes occurred, or the climate became
+unfit for their residence. Not less than thirty thousand species have
+already been dug out of the rocks; and excepting a few hundred species,
+mostly of sea shells, occurring in the uppermost rocks, none of them
+correspond to those now living on the globe. In Europe, they are found to
+the depth of about six and a half miles; and in this country, deeper; and
+no living species is found more than one twelfth of this depth. All the
+rest are specifically and often generically unlike living species; and the
+conclusion seems irresistible, that they must have lived and died before
+the creation of the present species. Indeed, so different was the climate
+in those early times,--it having been much warmer than at present in most
+parts of the world,--that but few of the present races could have lived
+then. Still further: it appears that, during the whole period since
+organized beings first appeared on the globe, not less than four, or five,
+and probably more--some think as many as ten or twelve--entire races have
+passed away, and been succeeded by recent ones; so that the globe has
+actually changed all its inhabitants half a dozen times. Yet each of the
+successive groups occupied it long enough to leave immense quantities of
+their remains, which sometimes constitute almost entire mountains. And in
+general, these groups became extinct in consequence of a change of
+climate; which, if imputed to any known cause, must have been an extremely
+slow process.
+
+Now, these results are no longer to be regarded as the dreams of fancy,
+but the legitimate deductions from long and careful observation of facts.
+And can any reasonable man conceive how such changes can have taken place
+since the six days of creation, or within the last six thousand years? In
+order to reconcile them with such a supposition, we must admit of
+hypotheses and absurdities more wild and extravagant than have ever been
+charged upon geology. But admit of a long period between the first
+creative act and the six days, and all difficulties vanish.
+
+In the eighth place, the denudations and erosions that have taken place on
+the earth's surface indicate a far higher antiquity to the globe, even
+since it assumed essentially its present condition, than the common
+interpretation of Genesis admits. The geologist can prove that in many
+cases the rocks have been worn away, by the slow action of the ocean, more
+than two miles in depth in some regions, and those very wide; as in South
+Wales, in England. As the continents rose from the ocean, the slow
+drainage by the rivers has excavated numerous long and deep gorges,
+requiring periods incalculably extended.
+
+I do not wonder that, when the sceptic stands upon the banks of Niagara
+River, and sees how obviously the splendid cataract has worn out the deep
+gorge extending to Lake Ontario, he should feel that there is a standing
+proof that the common opinion, as to the age of the world, cannot be true;
+and hence be led to discard the Bible, if he supposes that to be a true
+interpretation.
+
+But the Niagara gorge is only one among a multitude of examples of erosion
+that might be quoted; and some of them far more striking to a geologist.
+On Oak Orchard Creek, and the Genesee River, between Rochester and Lake
+Ontario, are similar erosions, seven miles long. On the latter river,
+south of Rochester, we find a cut from Mount Morris to Portage, sometimes
+four hundred feet deep. On many of our south-western rivers we have what
+are called _canons_, or gorges, often two hundred and fifty feet deep, and
+several miles long. Near the source of Missouri River are what are called
+the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, where there is a gorge six miles long
+and twelve hundred feet deep. Similar cuts occur on the Columbia River,
+hundreds of feet deep, through the hard trap rock, for hundreds of miles,
+between the American Falls and the Dalles. At St. Anthony's Falls, on the
+Mississippi, that river has worn a passage in limestone seven miles long,
+which distance the cataract has receded. On the Potomac, ten miles west of
+Washington, the Great Falls have worn back a passage sixty to sixty-five
+feet deep, four miles, continuously--a greater work, considering the
+nature of the rock, than has been done by the Niagara. The passage for the
+Hudson, through the highlands, is probably an example of river erosion; as
+is also that of the Connecticut at Brattleboro' and Bellows Falls. In
+these places, it can be proved that the river was once at least seven
+hundred feet above its present bed. On the Deerfield River, a tributary of
+the Connecticut, we have a gulf called the _Ghor_, eight miles long and
+several hundred feet deep, cut crosswise through the mica slate and gneiss
+by the stream.
+
+On the eastern continent I might quote a multitude of analogous cases.
+There is, for instance, the Wady el Jeib, in soft limestone, within the
+Wady Arabah, south of the Dead Sea. The defile is one hundred and fifty
+feet deep, half a mile wide, and forty miles long. In Mount Lebanon,
+several remarkable chasms in limestone have been described by American
+missionaries, as that on Dog River, (Lycus of the ancients,) six miles
+long, seventy or eighty feet deep, and from one hundred and twenty to one
+hundred and sixty feet wide; also, Wady Barida, whose walls are six
+hundred to eight hundred feet high. On the River Ravendoor, in Kurdistan,
+is a gorge, described in a letter from Dr. Perkins, one thousand feet
+deep. Another on the Euphrates, near Diadeen, is seventy feet deep, and is
+spanned by a natural bridge one hundred feet long. On the River Terek, in
+the Dariel Caucasus, is a pass one hundred and twenty miles long, whose
+walls rise from one thousand to three thousand feet high. In Africa, the
+River Zaire has cut a passage, forty miles long, through mica slate,
+quartz, and syenite; and in New South Wales, Cox River passes through a
+gorge twenty-two hundred yards wide and eight hundred feet high.
+
+Ninthly. Since the geological period now passing commenced, called the
+_alluvial_, or pleistocene period, certain changes have been going on,
+which indicate a very great antiquity to the drift period, which was the
+commencement of the alluvial period, and has been considered among the
+most recent of geological events. I refer to the formation of deltas and
+of terraces.
+
+Of the deltas I will mention but a single example, to which, however, many
+others correspond. The Mississippi carries down to its mouth
+28,188,803,892 cubic feet of sediment yearly, which it deposits; or one
+cubic mile in five years and eighty-one days. Now, as the whole delta
+contains twenty-seven hundred and twenty cubic miles, it must have
+required fourteen thousand two hundred and four years to form it in this
+manner.
+
+Terraces occur along some of the rivers of our country from four hundred
+to five hundred feet above their present beds, and around our lakes to the
+height of nearly one thousand feet. They are composed of gravel, sand,
+clay, and loam, that have been comminuted, and sorted, and deposited, by
+water chiefly. At a height two or three times greater, on the same rivers
+and lakes, we find what seem to be ancient sea beaches, of the same
+materials, deposited earlier, and less comminuted. The same facts also
+occur in Europe, and probably in Asia.
+
+Now, it seems quite certain, that these beaches and terraces were formed
+as the continents were being drained of the waters of the ocean, and the
+rivers were cutting down their beds; which last process has been going on
+in many places to the present day. Yet scarcely nowhere, since the memory
+of man, have even the lowest of these terraces and beaches been formed,
+save on a very limited scale, and of a few feet in height. The lowest of
+them have been the sites of towns and cities, ever since the settlement of
+our country, and on the eastern continent much longer. Yet we see the
+processes by which they have been formed now in operation; but they have
+scarcely made any progress during the period of human history. How vast
+the period, then, since the work was first commenced! Yet even its
+commencement seems to have been no farther back than the drift epoch,
+since that deposit lies beneath the terraces. But the drift period was
+comparatively a very recent one on the geological scale. How do such facts
+impress us with the vast duration of the globe since the first series of
+changes commenced!
+
+Finally. There is no little reason to believe that, previous to the
+formation of the stratified rocks, the earth passed through changes that
+required vast periods of time, by which it was gradually brought into a
+habitable state. It is even believed that one of its earliest conditions
+was that of vapor; that, gradually condensing, it became a melted globe of
+fire, and then, as it gradually cooled, a crust formed over its surface;
+and so at last it became habitable. All this is indeed hypothesis; and,
+therefore, I do not place it in the same rank as the other proofs of the
+earth's antiquity, already adduced. Still this hypothesis has so much
+evidence in its favor, that not a few of the ablest and most cautious
+philosophers of the present day have adopted it. And if it be indeed true,
+it throws back the creation of the universe to a period remote beyond
+calculation or conception.
+
+Now, let this imperfect summary of evidence in favor of the earth's high
+antiquity be candidly weighed, and can any one think it strange that every
+man, who has carefully and extensively examined the rocks in their native
+beds, is entirely convinced of its validity? Men of all professions, and
+of diverse opinions concerning the Bible, have been geologists; but on
+this point they are unanimous, however they may differ as to other points
+in the science. Must we not, then, regard this fact as one of the settled
+principles of science? If so, who will hesitate to say that it ought to
+settle the interpretation of the first verse of Genesis, in favor of that
+meaning which allows an intervening period between the creation of matter
+and the creation of light? This is the grand point which I have aimed to
+establish; and, in conclusion, I beg leave to make a few remarks by way of
+inference.
+
+First. This interpretation of Genesis is entirely sufficient to remove all
+apparent collision between geology and revelation. It gives the geologist
+full scope for his largest speculations concerning the age of the world.
+It permits him to maintain that its first condition was as unlike to the
+present as possible, and allows him time enough for all the changes of
+mineral constitution and organic life which its strata reveal. It supposes
+that all these are passed over in silence by the sacred writers, because
+irrelevant to the object of revelation, but full of interest and
+instruction to the men of science, who should afterwards take pleasure in
+exploring the works of God.
+
+It supposes the six days' work of creation to have been confined entirely
+to the fitting up the world in its present condition, and furnishing it
+with its present inhabitants. Thus, while it gives the widest scope to the
+geologist, it does not encroach upon the literalities of the Bible; and
+hence it is not strange that it should be almost universally adopted by
+geologists as well as by many eminent divines.
+
+I would not forget to notice in this connection, however, a recent
+proposed extension of this interpretation by Dr. John Pye Smith, founded
+on the principle already illustrated, that the sacred writers adapted
+their language to the state of knowledge among the Jews. By the term
+_earth_, in Genesis, he supposes, was designed not the whole terraqueous
+globe, but "the part of our world which God was adapting for the
+dwelling-place of man and animals connected with him." And the narrative
+of the six days' work is a description adapted to the ideas and
+capacities of mankind in the earliest ages, of a series of operations, by
+which the Being of omnipotent wisdom and goodness adjusted and furnished,
+not the earth generally, but, as the particular subject under
+consideration here, a PORTION of its surface for most glorious purposes.
+This portion of the earth he conceives to have been a large part of Asia,
+lying between the Caucasian ridge, the Caspian Sea and Tartary on the
+north, the Persian and Indian Seas on the south, and the high mountain
+ridges which run at considerable distance on their eastern and western
+flanks. This region was first, by atmospheric and geological causes of
+previous operation, under the will of the Almighty, brought into a
+condition of superficial ruin, or some kind of general disorder, probably
+by volcanic agency; it was submerged, covered with fogs and clouds, and
+subsequently elevated, and the atmosphere, by the fourth day, rendered
+pellucid.--_Script. and Geol._ p. 275, 2d edit.
+
+Without professing to adopt fully this view of my learned and venerable
+friend, I cannot but remark, that it explains one or two difficulties on
+this subject, which I shall more fully explain farther on. One is, the
+difficulty of conceiving how the inferior animals could have been
+distributed to their present places of residence from a single centre of
+creation without a miracle. Certain it is, that, as the climate and
+position of land and water now are, they could not thus migrate without
+certain destruction to many of them. But by this theory they might have
+been created within the districts which they now occupy.
+
+Another difficulty solved by this theory is, that several hundred species
+of animals, that were created long before man, as their remains found in
+the tertiary strata show, still survive, and there is no evidence that
+they ever became extinct; nor need they have been destroyed and
+recreated, if Dr. Smith's theory be true. Nevertheless, it does not appear
+to me essential to a satisfactory reconciliation of geology and
+revelation, that we should adopt it. But coming from such high authority,
+and sustained as it is by powerful arguments, it commends itself to our
+candid examination.
+
+Secondly. I remark, that it is not necessary that we should be perfectly
+sure that the method which has been described, or any other, of bringing
+geology into harmony with the Bible, is infallibly true. It is only
+necessary that it should be sustained by probable evidence; that it should
+fairly meet the geological difficulty on the one hand, and do no violence
+to the language or spirit of the Bible on the other. This is sufficient,
+surely, to satisfy every philosophical mind, that there is no collision
+between geology and revelation. But should it appear hereafter, either
+from the discoveries of the geologist or the philologist, that our views
+must be somewhat modified, it would not show that the previous views had
+been insufficient to harmonize the two subjects; but only that here, as in
+every other department of human knowledge, perfection is not attained,
+except by long-continued efforts.
+
+I make these remarks, because it is well known that other modes, besides
+that which I have defended, have been proposed to accomplish the same
+object; and it is probable that, even to this day, one or two of these
+modes may be defended, although the general opinion of geologists is in
+favor of that which I have exhibited.
+
+Some, for instance, have supposed that the fossiliferous strata may all
+have been deposited in the sixteen hundred years between the creation and
+the deluge, and by that catastrophe have been lifted out of the ocean.
+Others have imagined them all produced by that event. But the most
+plausible theory regards the six days of creation as periods of great,
+though indefinite length, during which all the changes exhibited by the
+strata of rocks took place. The arguments in defence of this view are the
+following: 1. The word _day_ is often used in Scripture to express a
+period of indefinite length. (Luke xvii. 24. John viii. 56. Job xiv. 6.)
+2. The sun, moon, and stars were not created till the fourth day; so that
+the revolution of the earth on its axis, in twenty-four hours, may not
+have existed previously, and the light and darkness that alternated may
+have had reference to some other standard. 3. The Sabbath, or seventh day,
+in which God rested from his work, has not yet terminated; and there is
+reason to suppose the demiurgic days may have been at least of equal
+length. 4. This interpretation corresponds remarkably with the traditional
+cosmogonies of some heathen nations, as the ancient Etruscans and modern
+Hindoos; and it was also adopted by Philo and other Jewish writers. 5. The
+order of creation, as described in Genesis, corresponds to that developed
+by geology. This order, according to Cuvier and Professor Jameson, is as
+follows: 1. The earth was covered with the sea without inhabitants. 2.
+Plants were created on the third day, and are found abundantly in the coal
+measures. 3. On the fifth day, the inhabitants of the waters, then flying
+things, then great reptiles, and then mammiferous animals, were created.
+4. On the sixth day, man was created.
+
+The following are the objections to this interpretation: 1. The word _day_
+is not used figuratively in other places of Genesis, (unless perhaps Gen.
+ii. 4,) though it is sometimes so used in other parts of Scripture. 2. In
+the fourth commandment, where the days of creation are referred to, (Exod.
+xx. 9, 10, 11,) no one can doubt but that the six days of labor and the
+Sabbath, spoken of in the ninth and tenth verses, are literal days. By
+what rule of interpretation can the same word in the next verse be made to
+mean indefinite periods? 3. From Gen. ii. 5, compared with Gen. i. 11, 12,
+it seems that it had not rained on the earth till the third day--a fact
+altogether probable if the days were of twenty-four hours, but absurd if
+they were long periods. 4. Such a meaning is forced and unnatural, and,
+therefore, not to be adopted without urgent necessity. 5. This hypothesis
+assumes that Moses describes the creation of all the animals and plants
+that have ever lived on the globe. But geology decides that the species
+now living, since they are not found in the rocks any lower down than man
+is, (with a few exceptions,) could not have been contemporaries with those
+in the rocks, but must have been created when man was; that is, on the
+sixth day. Of such a creation no mention is made in Genesis. The inference
+is, that Moses does not describe the creation of the existing races, but
+only of those that lived thousands of years earlier, and whose existence
+was scarcely suspected till modern times. Who will admit such an
+absurdity? If any one takes the ground that the existing races were
+created with the fossil ones, on the third and fifth days, then he must
+show, what no one can, why the remains of the former are not found mixed
+with the latter. 6. Though there is a general resemblance between the
+order of creation, as described in Genesis and by geology, yet when we
+look at the details of the creation of the organic world, as required by
+this hypothesis, we find manifest discrepancy, instead of the coincidence
+asserted by some distinguished advocates of these views. Thus the Bible
+represents plants only to have been created on the third day, and animals
+not till the fifth; and hence, at least, the lower half of the
+fossiliferous rocks ought to contain nothing but vegetables. Whereas, in
+fact, the lower half of these rocks, all below the carboniferous,
+although abounding in animals, contain scarcely any plants, and those in
+the lowest strata, fucoids, or sea-weeds. But the Mosaic account of the
+third day's work evidently describes flowering and seed-bearing plants,
+not flowerless and seedless algæ. Again: reptiles are described in Genesis
+as created on the fifth day; but reptilia and batrachians existed as early
+as the time when the lower carboniferous, and even old red sandstone
+strata, were in a course of deposition, as their tracks on those rocks in
+Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania evince. In short, if we maintain that Moses
+describes fossil as well as living species, we find discrepancy, instead
+of correspondence, between his order of creation and that of geology. But
+admit that he describes only existing species, and all difficulties
+vanish.
+
+It appears, then, that the objections to this interpretation of the word
+_day_ are more geological than exegetical. It has accordingly been mostly
+abandoned by men, who, from their knowledge both of geology and scriptural
+exegesis, were best qualified to judge. And even those who are inclined to
+adopt it do also believe in the existence of a long period between the
+beginning and the demiurgic days. From the earliest times, however, in
+which we have writings upon the Scriptures, we find men doubting whether
+the demiurgic days of Moses are to be taken in a strictly literal sense.
+Josephus and Philo regarded the six days' work as metaphorical. Origen
+took a similar view, and St. Augustin says, "It is difficult, if not
+impossible, for us to conceive what sort of days these were." In more
+modern times, we find many able writers, as Hahn, Hensler, De Luc,
+Professors Lee and Wait, of the University of Cambridge, Faber, &c.,
+adopting modifications of the same views. Mr. Faber, however, a few years
+since, abandoned this opinion; and for the most part, geologists and
+theologians prefer to regard the six days as literal days of twenty-four
+hours. But, generally, they would not regard the opposite opinion to be as
+unreasonable as it would be to reject the Bible from any supposed
+collision with geology. Yet, in general, they suppose it sufficient, to
+meet all difficulties, to allow of an indefinite interval between the
+"beginning" and the six days' work of creation.
+
+In the truly scientific system of theology by the venerable Dr. Knapp, we
+find a proposed interpretation of the Mosaic account of the creation, that
+would bring it into harmony with geology. "If we would form a clear and
+distinct notion of this whole description of creation," says he, "we must
+conceive of six separate _pictures_, in which this great work is
+represented in each successive stage of its progress towards completion.
+And as the performance of the painter, though it must have natural truth
+for its foundation, must not be considered, or judged of, as a delineation
+of mathematical or scientific accuracy, so neither must this pictorial
+representation of the creation be regarded as literally and exactly true."
+He then alludes to the various hypotheses respecting the early state of
+the matter of the globe, and says, "Any of these hypotheses of the
+naturalist may be adopted or rejected, the Mosaic geogony
+notwithstanding."[8]
+
+Thirdly. The interpretation of Genesis, for which I have contended in this
+lecture, does not affect injuriously any doctrine of revelation. The
+community have, indeed, been taught to believe that the universe was all
+brought into existence about six thousand years ago; and it always
+produces a temporary evil to change the interpretation of a passage of the
+Bible, even though, as in this case, it be the result of new light shed
+upon it; because it is apt to make individuals of narrow views lose their
+confidence in the rules of interpretation. But when the change is once
+made, it increases men's confidence in the Word of God, which is only
+purified, but not shaken, by all the discoveries of modern science. In the
+present case, it does not seem to be of the least consequence, so far as
+the great doctrines of the Bible are concerned, whether the world has
+stood six thousand, or six hundred thousand years. Nor can I conceive of
+any truth of the Bible, which does not shine with at least equal
+brightness and glory, if the longest chronological dates be adopted.
+
+Yet, fourthly. I maintain that several of these doctrines are far more
+strikingly and profitably exhibited, if the high antiquity of the globe be
+admitted. The common interpretation limits the operations of the Deity, so
+far as the material universe is concerned, to the last six thousand years.
+But the geological view carries the mind back along the flow of countless
+ages, and exhibits the wisdom of the Deity carrying forward, with infinite
+skill, a vast series of operations, each successive link springing out of
+that before it, and becoming more and more beautiful, until the glorious
+universe in which we live comes forth, not only the last, but the best of
+all. All this while, too, we perceive the heart of infinite Benevolence at
+work, either in fitting up the world for its future races of inhabitants,
+or in placing upon it creatures exactly adapted to its varying condition;
+until man, at last, the crown of all, makes it his delightful abode, with
+nothing to lament but his own apostasy,--with every thing perfect but
+himself. Can the mind enter such an almost boundless field of
+contemplation as this, and not feel itself refreshed, and expanded, and
+filled with more exalted conceptions of the divine plans and divine
+benevolence than could possibly be obtained within the narrow limits of
+six thousand years? But I will not enlarge; for I hope I may be allowed,
+in future lectures, to enter this rich field of thought, when we have more
+leisure to survey its beautiful prospects, and pluck its golden fruit.
+
+Finally. If the geological interpretation of Genesis be true, then it
+should be taught to all classes of the community. It is, indeed, unwise to
+alter received interpretations of Scripture without very strong reasons.
+We should be satisfied that the new light, which has come to us, is not
+that of a transient meteor, but of a permanent luminary. We should, also,
+be satisfied, that the proposed change is consistent with the established
+rules of philology. If we introduce change of this sort before these
+points are settled, even upon passages that have no connection with
+fundamental moral principles, we shall distress many an honest and pious
+heart, and expose ourselves to the necessity of further change. But on the
+other hand, if we delay the change long after these points are fairly
+settled, we shall excite the suspicion that we dread to have the light of
+science fall upon the Bible. Nor let it be forgotten how disastrous has
+ever been the influence of the opinion that theologians teach one thing,
+and men of science another. Now, in the case under consideration, is there
+any reason to doubt the high antiquity of the globe, as demonstrated by
+geology? If any point, not capable of mathematical demonstration in
+physical science, is proved, surely this truth is established. And how
+easily reconciled to the inspired record, by an interpretation entirely
+consistent with the rules of philology, and with the scope of the
+passage, and the tenor of the Bible! It seems to me far more natural, and
+easy to understand, than that interpretation which it became necessary to
+introduce when the Copernican system was demonstrated to be true. The
+latter must have seemed to conflict strongly with the natural and most
+obvious meaning of certain passages of the Bible, at a time when men's
+minds were ignorant of astronomy, and, I may add, of the true mode of
+interpreting the language of Scripture respecting natural phenomena.
+Nevertheless, the astronomical exegesis prevailed, and every child can now
+see its reasonableness. So it seems to me that the child can easily
+apprehend the geological interpretation and its reasons. Why, then, should
+it not be taught to children, that they may not be liable to distrust the
+whole Bible, when they come to the study of geology? I rejoice, however,
+that the fears and prejudices of the pious and the learned are so fast
+yielding to evidence; and I anticipate the period, when, on this subject,
+the child will learn the same thing in the Sabbath school and the literary
+institution. Nay, I anticipate the time as not distant, when the high
+antiquity of the globe will be regarded as no more opposed to the Bible
+than the earth's revolution round the sun and on its axis. Soon shall the
+horizon, where geology and revelation meet, be cleared of every cloud, and
+present only an unbroken and magnificent circle of truth.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE III.
+
+DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE FROM THE BEGINNING.
+
+
+Death has always been regarded by man as the king of terrors, and the
+climax of all mortal evils; and by Christians its introduction into the
+world has generally been imputed to the apostasy of our first parents. For
+the threatening announced to them in Eden was, _In the day thou eatest of
+the forbidden fruit thou shalt surely die_, implying that if they did not
+eat thereof they might live. But _when the woman saw the tree was good for
+food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to
+make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
+to her husband with her, and he did eat_. As the result, it is generally
+supposed that a great change took place in animals and plants, and from
+being immortal, they became mortal, in consequence of this fatal deed. But
+geology asserts that death existed in the world untold ages before man's
+creation, while physiology declares it to be a universal law of nature,
+and a wise and benevolent provision in such a world as ours. Now, the
+question is, Do not these different statements conflict with one another?
+and if so, is the discrepancy apparent only, or real? These are the
+questions which I now propose to examine, by all the light which we can
+obtain from the Bible and from science.
+
+_The first point to be ascertained in this investigation will be, what the
+Bible teaches on this subject._
+
+In the first place, it distinctly informs us that the death which man
+experiences, came upon him in consequence of sin.
+
+The declaration of Paul on this subject is as distinct as language can be.
+_By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death
+passed upon all men, for that all have sinned._ This corresponds with the
+original threatening respecting the forbidden fruit. We know that our
+first parents ate of it; we know, also, that they died; and the apostle
+places these two facts in the relation of cause and effect.
+
+In the second place, the Bible does not inform us whether the death of the
+inferior animals and plants is the consequence of man's transgression.
+
+In order to prove this statement, it is necessary to show that the
+language of the Bible, which distinctly ascribes the introduction of death
+into the world, is limited to man. The first part of the sentence from
+Paul, just quoted, is indeed very general, and may include all organic
+natures. _By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin._ What
+terms more general or explicit than these could be used? Yet the remainder
+of the sentence shows that the apostle had man mainly in his eye; _and so
+death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned_. The death here
+spoken of is limited expressly to man; and, therefore, it is not necessary
+to show that the same terms, in the first part of the sentence, had a more
+extended meaning. Death is spoken of here as the result of sin, and
+cannot, therefore, embrace animals and plants, which are incapable of sin.
+But after all, the first part of the sentence may intend to teach a
+general truth respecting the origin of every kind of death in the world.
+It will be seen in the sequel, that to such a meaning I have no objection,
+if it can be established.
+
+Another very explicit passage on the introduction of death into the world
+is found in Corinthians: _Since by man came death, by man came also the
+resurrection of the dead._ Here, too, the last clause of the sentence
+limits the meaning to the human family. For no one will doubt that Christ
+is the man here spoken of, by whom came the resurrection of the dead. Now,
+unless the inferior animals and plants will share in a resurrection in
+consequence of what Christ has done, and in the redemption wrought out by
+him too, they cannot be included in this passage. And if neither of the
+texts now quoted extend in their application beyond the human race, I know
+of no other passage in the Bible that teaches, directly or inferentially,
+that death among the inferior animals or plants resulted from man's
+apostasy. I do not deny that there may be a connection between these
+events; certainly the Scriptures do not teach the contrary. But they
+appear to me rather to leave the question of such a connection undecided,
+and open for the examination of philosophers. If so, we may reason
+concerning the dissolution of animals, except men, without reference to
+the Scriptures.
+
+_Under the second part of this investigation, I shall endeavor to show
+that geology proves violent and painful death to have existed in the world
+long before man's creation._
+
+In the oldest of the sedimentary rocks, the remains of animals occur in
+vast numbers; nor will any one, I trust, of ordinary intelligence, doubt
+but these relics once constituted living beings. Through the whole series
+of rocks, six miles in thickness, we find similar remains, even increasing
+in numbers as we ascend; but it is not till we reach the very highest
+stratum, the mere superficial coat of alluvium, that we find the remains
+of man. The vast multitudes, then, of organized beings that lie entombed
+in rocks below alluvium, must have yielded to death long before man
+received his sentence, _Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return._
+Will any one maintain that none of these animals preceded man in the
+period of their existence? Then why are the remains of men not found with
+theirs? for his bony skeleton is as likely to be preserved and petrified
+as theirs. Moreover, so unlike to man and other existing tenants of the
+globe are many of these ancient animals, that the sure laws of comparative
+anatomy show us, that both races could not live and flourish in a world
+adapted to the one or the other. If the temperature had been warm enough
+for the fossil tribes, and all the circumstances of food and climate
+congenial to their natures, they would have been unsuited to the present
+races; and if adapted to the latter, the former must have perished. The
+difference between the animals and plants dug out of the rocks in this
+latitude, and those now inhabiting the same region of country, is
+certainly as great as that between the animals and plants of the torrid
+and temperate zones; in most cases it is greater. Now, suppose that the
+animals and plants of the temperate zones were to change places with those
+between the tropics. A few species might survive, but the greater part
+would be destroyed. Hence, _a fortiori_, had the living beings now
+entombed in the rocks been placed in the same climate with those now alive
+upon the globe, the like result would have followed. I say _a fortiori_;
+that is, for a stronger reason, the greater number must have perished; and
+the stronger reason is, the greater difference between fossil and living
+species, than between the latter in torrid and temperate latitudes. It is
+true that man is among the species capable of being acclimated to great
+extremes. And yet no physiologist will imagine that even his nature could
+have long survived in such a climate as formerly existed, when probably
+the atmosphere was loaded with carbonic acid and other mephitic gases,
+and with moisture and miasms, the result of a rank vegetation, and of a
+temperature higher than now exists in equatorial countries.
+
+This argument, furnished by comparative anatomy, to show that man and the
+fossil animals could not have been contemporaries, will probably seem to
+have little force to those who are not familiar with the history of
+organic life on the globe, and the distribution of species. It is not
+generally known that both animals and plants are usually confined to a
+particular district, and that a removal beyond its boundaries, or the
+access of a few more degrees of cold, or heat, than is common in the place
+assigned them by nature, will destroy them. To him who understands this
+curious history, the argument under consideration is perfectly
+satisfactory, to prove the existence and consequent dissolution of myriads
+of living beings, anterior to man. "Judging by these indications of the
+habits of the animals," says the distinguished anatomist, Sir Charles
+Bell, "we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their
+period of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of
+the lacertæ, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and finally, we learn
+that at any period previous to man's creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him. Any other hypothesis than that of a new
+creation of animals, suited to the successive changes in the inorganic
+matter of the globe, the condition of the water, atmosphere, and
+temperature, brings with it only an accumulation of difficulties."--_The
+Hand, its Mech._, &c. pp. 31 and 115.
+
+But when arguing with those who do not feel the force of this argument, I
+would fall back upon that derived from the fact, that of the ten thousand
+species of animals dug out of the rocks beneath alluvium, no relic of man
+has been found; and ask them whether they can explain such a fact, except
+by the supposition that man was not their contemporary.
+
+In his admirable Bridgewater Treatise, Dr. Buckland has conclusively shown
+that the same great system of organization and adaptation has always
+prevailed on the globe. It was the same in those immensely remote ages,
+when the fossil animals lived, as it now is. And there is one feature of
+that system which deserves notice in this argument. At present, we know
+that there exist large tribes of animals, called carnivorous, provided
+with organs expressly designed to enable them to destroy other animals,
+and of course to inflict on them violent and painful death. Exactly
+similar tribes, and in a like proportion, are found among the fossil
+animals. They were not always the same tribes; but when one class of
+carnivora disappeared, another was created to take their place, in order
+to keep down the excessive multiplication of other races, which appears to
+be the grand object accomplished by the carnivorous races. And that
+animals of such an organization not only lived in the ages preceding man's
+creation, but actually destroyed contemporary species, we have the
+evidence in the remains of the one animal enclosed in the body of another,
+by whom it was devoured for food and both are now converted into rock, and
+will testify to the most sceptical, that death among animals existed in
+the world before man's transgression.
+
+_Under the third part of this investigation, I shall attempt to show that
+physiology teaches us that death is a general law of organic natures._
+
+It is not confined to animals, but embraces also plants. As they
+correspond in a striking manner to animals in their reproduction and
+growth, so they do in their decay and dissolution. In short, wherever in
+nature we find life and organization, death is inevitable. The amount of
+vital energy varies in different species, and in individuals; but in them
+all, it at length becomes exhausted, and the functions cease. After a
+certain period, the vessels which convey the nutritive materials, and
+elaborate the proximate principles, become choked with excrementitious
+matter, assimilation is performed imperfectly, and gradually the vital
+energies are overpowered, and yield up their charge to the disorganizing
+power of chemical agencies. We can hardly see why the delicate machinery
+cannot hold out longer than it does, or even indefinitely. But experience
+shows us that an irresistible law of nature has fixed the period of its
+operations. In the expressive language of Scripture, which applies to
+plants as well as animals, _there is no discharge in that war_.
+
+A little reflection will convince any one, that in such a system as exists
+in the world, this universal decay and dissolution are indispensable. For
+dead organic matter is essential to the support and nourishment of living
+beings. Admit, for the sake of the argument, (although it is obviously
+absurd in respect to the carnivorous races,) that animals might be
+supported by vegetable food. Yet, if plants must furnish nourishment for
+their successors, as well as for animals, the organic matter must at
+length be exhausted. And, furthermore, how could animals feed on plants
+without destroying, as they now do, multitudes of minute insects and
+animalcules? It is obvious, also, that, for a variety of reasons, the
+multiplication of animals must soon be arrested, or famine would be the
+result, or the world would be more than full. In short, it would require
+an entirely different system in nature from the present, in order to
+exclude death from the world. To the existing system it is as essential
+as gravitation, and apparently just as much a law of nature.
+
+To strengthen this argument still further, comparative anatomy testifies
+that large classes of animals have a structure evidently intended to
+enable them to feed on other tribes. The teeth of the more perfect
+carnivorous animals are adapted for seizing and tearing their prey, while
+those which feed on vegetables have cutting and grinding teeth, but not
+the canine. So the whole digestive apparatus in the carnivora is more
+simple, and of less extent, than in the herbivorous tribes, while in the
+former the gastric juice acts more readily upon flesh, and in the latter
+upon vegetables. The muscular apparatus, also, is developed in greater
+power in the former than in the latter, especially in the neck and fore
+paw. Throughout all the classes of animals, those which feed on flesh are
+armed with poisonous fangs, or talons, or beaks, or other formidable
+weapons, while the vegetable feeders are usually in a great measure
+defenceless. In short, in the one class we find a perfect adaptation, in
+all the organs, for destroying, digesting, and assimilating other animals,
+and in the other class, an arrangement, equally obvious, for procuring and
+digesting vegetables. Indeed, you need only show the anatomist the
+skeleton, or even a very small part of the skeleton, of an unknown animal,
+to enable him, in most cases, to decide, what is the food of that animal,
+with almost as much certainty as if he had for years observed its habits.
+Who can doubt, then, that when a carnivorous animal employs the weapons
+with which nature has furnished it for the destruction of another animal,
+in order to satisfy its hunger, that it acts in obedience to a law of its
+being, originally impressed upon its constitution by the Creator? It is
+true, that even the flesh-eating animals may be taught for a time to
+subsist upon vegetable products. But this is unnatural; and such an
+animal usually pays the price of thus inverting its original instinct, by
+disease and premature decay. In a state of nature, an animal would starve
+rather than thus violate its instinctive desires.
+
+I will allude to only one other fact, that shows death to be inseparable
+from organized beings, without a constant miraculous interference, in such
+a world as ours. Animal organization, in all conceivable circumstances,
+must be liable to accident, from mere mechanical force, by which life
+would be destroyed. It may be possible, perhaps, to conceive of a material
+tenement for the soul, which should be unaffected by all forms of
+mechanical violence and chemical action; if, for instance, its
+constitution were analogous to that supposed medium through which light,
+heat, and electricity, and perhaps gravitation, act. But, surely, our
+present bodies are far enough removed from such conditions, being of all
+terrestrial things the most liable to ruin from the causes above
+mentioned.
+
+The conclusions from all these facts and reasonings are, that death is an
+essential feature of the present system of organized nature; that it must
+have entered into the plan of creation in the divine mind originally, and
+consequently must have existed in the world before the apostasy of man.
+Whether the entire system of death had any connection with that event, or
+whether there is any thing peculiar in the death endured by the human
+family, will be questions for examination in a subsequent part of my
+lecture.
+
+In opposition to these conclusions, however, the common theory of death
+maintains that, when man transgressed, there was an entire change
+throughout all organic nature; so that animals and plants, which before
+contained a principle of immortal life, were smitten with the hereditary
+contagion of disease and death. Those animals which, before that event,
+were gentle and herbivorous, or frugivorous, suddenly became ferocious or
+carnivorous. The climate, too, changed, and the sterile soil sent forth
+the thorn and the thistle, in the place of the rich flowers and fruits of
+Eden. The great English poet, in his Paradise Lost, has clothed this
+hypothesis in a most graphic and philosophical dress; and probably his
+descriptions have done more than the Bible to give it currency. Indeed,
+could the truth be known, I fancy that, on many points of secondary
+importance, the current theology of the day has been shaped quite as much
+by the ingenious machinery of Paradise Lost as by the Scriptures; the
+theologians having so mixed up the ideas of Milton with those derived from
+inspiration, that they find it difficult to distinguish between them.
+
+In the case under consideration, Milton does not limit the change induced
+by man's apostasy to sublunary things, but, like a sagacious philosopher,
+perceives, also, that the heavenly bodies must have been diverted from
+their paths.
+
+                  "At that tasted fruit,
+  The sun, as from Thyestian banquet, turned
+  His course intended; else-how had the world
+  Inhabited, though sinless, more than now,
+  Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat?"
+
+This change of the sun's path, as the poet well knew, could be effected
+only by some change in the motion of the earth.
+
+  "Some say he bid the angels turn askance
+  The poles of earth, twice ten degrees and more,
+  From the sun's axle; they with labor pushed
+  Oblique the centric globe."
+
+Next we have the effect upon the lower orders of animals described.
+
+                        "Discord first,
+  Daughter of sin, among the irrational
+  Death introduced: through fierce antipathy,
+  Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl,
+      And fish with fish; to graze the herb all leaving,
+  Devoured each other."
+
+The question arises here, whether such views are sustained by the Bible
+and by science. Few, I presume, would seriously maintain that the act of
+our first parents, which produced what Dr. Chalmers calls "an unhingement"
+of the human race, resulted likewise in a change in the motion of the
+earth and the heavenly bodies; since the Bible so clearly describes the
+previous ordination of days, years, and seasons, on the fourth day of
+creation. And is there any thing in the language of the Bible that will
+justify the opinion that such changes as this theory supposes took place
+in the productions of the earth, and in the nature of its animals? No
+anatomist can surely be made to believe that, without a constant miracle,
+our carnivorous animals can have become herbivorous, without such a change
+in their organization as must have amounted to a new creation. And such a
+metamorphosis can hardly have passed unnoticed by the sacred writer. True,
+only the gramineous and herbaceous substances are in the Bible given to
+the inferior animals for food, while the fruits are assigned to man. But
+this passage seems only to be a designation of one part of vegetable
+productions to men, and another to other animals, and can hardly be
+supposed to preclude the idea that there might be other tribes requiring
+animal food.
+
+The sentence pronounced upon the serpent for his agency in man's apostasy
+seems, at first view, favorable to the opinion that animal natures
+experienced at the same time important changes; for he is supposed to have
+been deprived of limbs, and condemned henceforth to crawl upon the earth,
+and to make the dust his food. But is it the most probable interpretation
+of this passage, which makes the tempter a literal serpent, or only a
+symbolical one? The naturalist does not surely find that serpents live
+upon dust, for they all are carnivorous, and they are as perfectly adapted
+to crawl upon the ground as other animals to different modes of
+progression; and though _cursed above all cattle_, they are apparently as
+happy as other animals. Hence the probability is, that an evil spirit is
+described in Genesis under the name and figure of a serpent. This
+conclusion is supported by other parts of Scripture, where the tempter is
+in several places declared to be _the devil_, _the old serpent_, and _the
+great dragon_.
+
+A part of the sentence passed upon man seems, also, at first view, to
+imply an important change in the vegetable productions of the earth; for
+the ground is cursed for man's sake: it would henceforth produce to him
+thorns and thistles, and in the sweat of his brow must he eat of the
+fruits of it, all the days of his life. Now, will not the condition and
+character of Adam show how this curse might be fulfilled, without any
+change in the productions of the soil? The garden of Eden, where man had
+lived in his innocence, was doubtless some sunny and balmy spot, where the
+air was delicious, and the earth poured forth her abundant fruits
+spontaneously; and although he was called to keep and dress that garden,
+yet, with a contented and holy heart, and with no factitious wants, the
+work was neither labor nor sorrow. But now he is driven from that garden
+into regions far less fertile, where the sterile soil can be made to
+yield its fruits only by the sweat of the brow, and where the thorn and
+the thistle dispute their right of soil with salutary plants; and in his
+heart, too, unholy and unsubdued passions have place, which will infuse
+sorrow into all his labors.
+
+As I have remarked in another place, I cannot see why the functions of
+animal and vegetable organization might not have gone on forever without
+decay and death, if such had been the Creator's will. In other words, I do
+not see why the operation of the organs should at length be impeded and
+cease, as we know they do universally. Hence I can conceive that it might
+have been otherwise originally; and in the case of man it is possible, as
+we shall see farther on, that a change of this sort may have taken place
+at the time of his apostasy. But, after all, it strikes me that the Bible
+furnishes very clear evidence that the same system of decay and death
+prevailed before the apostasy which now prevails. The command given, both
+to animals and to man, to be fruitful and multiply, implies the removal of
+successive races by death; otherwise the world would ere long be
+overstocked. A system of death is certainly a necessary counterpart to a
+system of reproduction; and hence, where we know the one to exist, the
+presumption is very strong that the other exists also. There is no escape
+from this inference, except to call in the aid of miraculous power to
+preserve the proper balance among different races of animals, by
+preventing their multiplication. Such an interference I am always ready to
+admit, where the Scriptures assert it. But to imagine a miracle without
+proof, merely to escape a fair conclusion, is, to say the least, very
+wretched logic. God never introduces a miracle where he can employ the
+ordinary agency of nature for accomplishing his purposes. Nor should we
+resort to one without the express testimony of the Bible, which, on this
+subject, is our only source of evidence.
+
+We have in Scripture the same kind of proof that plants were subject to
+decay and death, before the fall, as we have in respect to animals. For in
+the account of the creation of plants on the third day, we find them
+described as bearing seeds; and does not this clearly imply the same
+system of reproduction which now exists throughout the vegetable kingdom?
+In short, an unprejudiced mind, in reading the history of the world in
+Genesis, before and after the fall, can hardly fail of the conviction,
+that animals and plants were originally created on the same plan, as to
+reproduction, decay, and death, which now prevails. Great, indeed, must
+have been the change at the fall, if, previous to that time, their
+structure excluded all the organs and means of reproduction; as must have
+been the case if decay and death were also excluded. And it is strange
+that the sacred writer should take no notice of such a change. He states
+the effect of sin upon the three parties directly concerned in it, viz.,
+the tempter, Adam, and Eve; and if a transformation of all vegetable and
+animal natures, great enough almost to constitute a new creation, did take
+place, it could hardly have been passed in silence. Even in the case of
+man, we have no remarkable physical change. The effect seems to have been
+chiefly confined to his intellectual constitution, where we should expect
+the effect of sin to be primarily felt. There, indeed, in man's noblest
+part, has the havoc been the most terrific, and powerfully has its
+operation there reacted upon the body, so as to make death, in the case of
+man, the king of terrors.
+
+We find, then, insuperable objections to the prevalent notion that an
+entire revolution took place at the fall in the material world, and
+especially in organic nature. Those passages of Scripture which,
+literally interpreted, seem to imply some changes of this sort, are easily
+understood as vivid figurative representations of the effects of sin upon
+men, while their literal interpretation would involve us in inextricable
+difficulties. We rest, therefore, in the conclusion, that, whatever
+connection there may be between death and the existing system of organic
+and inorganic nature, no important change took place at the time of man's
+first transgression; in other Words, the present system is that which was
+originally determined upon in the divine mind, and not the original plan
+altered after man's transgression.
+
+_The fourth step in the investigation of this subject leads me to attempt
+to show that, in the present system of the world, death, to the inferior
+animals, is a benevolent provision, and to man, also, when not aggravated
+or converted into a curse by his own sin._
+
+In examining this point, as well as many others in natural theology, where
+the existence of evil is concerned, we must assume that the present system
+of the world is the best which infinite wisdom and benevolence could
+devise. And this we may consistently do. For the prominent design
+throughout nature appears to be beneficial to animal natures, and
+suffering is only incidental, and happiness, moreover, is superadded to
+the functions of animals, where it is unnecessary to the perfect
+performance of the function. We may be certain, therefore, that the Author
+of such a system can neither be malevolent nor indifferent to the
+happiness of animals, but must be benevolent; and, therefore, the system
+must be the best possible, since such a Being could constitute no other.
+
+Now, death being an essential feature of such a system, we should expect
+to find it, as a whole, a benevolent provision. But, in the case of man,
+the Bible represents it as a penal infliction, and such is its general
+aspect in the human family. So far as the mere extinction of life is
+concerned, it is the same in man as in other animals; but sin arms it with
+a deadly sting, by pointing the offender to a world of retribution, as he
+sees the menacing dart of the great destroyer aimed at his heart. And,
+indeed, through all his days, man's power of anticipation keeps death ever
+before him, as the end of all his present enjoyments, and the
+commencement, it may be, of unmitigated suffering. But the inferior
+animals, being incapable of sin, find none of these aggravations to give
+keenness to their final sufferings. No anticipation of death keeps it ever
+in view, as a terrific enemy. No guilty conscience points them to a
+righteous throne of judgment, where they must be arraigned. But when the
+stroke comes, it falls unexpectedly, and the mere physical suffering is
+all that gives severity to their dissolution.
+
+In the case of man, too, there is the sundering of ties too strong for any
+thing but death to break;--ties which bind him to kindred, friends, and
+country; and often this separation constitutes the most painful part of
+the closing scene. But in the case of animals, we have no reason to
+suppose these attachments, so far as they exist, to be very strong; nay,
+in most cases they are certainly very weak. And even did they exist, the
+brute would not be conscious that death would remove him from the society
+of his beloved companions.
+
+The inferior animals, also, usually die either a violent and sudden death,
+inflicted by some carnivorous enemy, or in extreme old age, by mere decay
+of the natural powers, without disease. The violent death can usually have
+in it little of suffering; and the slow decay still less. But although
+some men die violent deaths, how few survive to extreme old age, and sink
+at last almost unconsciously into the grave, because the vital energies
+are exhausted! Were this the case, the physical terrors of death would be
+almost taken away, and we should pass as quietly into eternity as a lamp
+goes out when the oil is exhausted. But in general we see a constitution
+yet unbroken, struggling with fierce disease, and yielding to its fate
+only with terrific agonies; because sin has early implanted the seeds of
+disease in the constitution.
+
+Imagine, now, that death should come upon a man in the course of nature;
+that is, without disease, and with little suffering, and with no painful
+forebodings of conscience. Suppose, moreover, that the dying individual
+should feel that the change passing upon him would assuredly introduce him
+to a new and spiritual body, undecaying, and adapted to the operations of
+the mind; that it would, in fact, be _the building of God, the house not
+made with hands, eternal in the heavens_; and that the soul, after death,
+would enter into free and full communion with all that is great and
+ennobling in the universe; and that joys, inconceivable and eternal, would
+henceforth be its portion: O, how different would such a death be from
+what we usually witness! Yet, were men all to accept of the offered ransom
+from sin and death, and, under the guidance of pure religious principle,
+were to pay a strict regard to hygienic laws, such would be, for the most
+part, the character of the death they would experience. The excepted cases
+would be those of violent and sudden death from accident, or of disease
+from unavoidable exposure, and they would be comparatively few. So that,
+in fact, an observance of the laws, physical and moral, which God has
+ordained, would change almost the entire aspect of death, even in this
+fallen world.
+
+These remarks seem necessary in order to obtain a correct idea of the
+character of death, when not aggravated by the sins of men. For those
+aggravations seem superadded, in the case of men, as penal inflictions for
+their sins; and we ought to leave them out of the account, when we are
+considering death as a benevolent provision. I do not contend that death,
+even in its mildest forms, is no evil; nor that the apostasy of man was
+not the cause of its introduction into the world. These points I shall
+consider in another place. But I contend that, in the present system of
+the world, death, when not aggravated by the sins of men, is to be
+regarded as a benevolent provision, bringing with it more happiness than
+misery; although, had sin never existed, a system productive of still
+greater enjoyment might have been adopted in this world. But as the
+arrangements of the world now are, death affords the following evidences
+of infinite benevolence and wisdom.
+
+In the _first place_, it is a transfer from a lower to a higher state of
+existence.
+
+Let me here be understood distinctly as speaking only of the death of
+those accountable beings, who, by the transforming power of grace, have
+become prepared for a higher and perfectly holy state of being. For the
+death of all others can be looked on only in the light of a terrible penal
+infliction. But the righteous, when they die,--and all may, if they will,
+become righteous,--have before them the certain prospect of immortal
+happiness, such as _eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it
+entered the heart of man to conceive_. They enter upon _fulness of joy,
+and pleasures forevermore_; and therefore death to them is infinite gain.
+
+Whether the inferior animals will exist again after death is a more
+doubtful point. There is certainly nothing in Scripture decisive against
+their future existence; for the passage in Psalms which says, that _man
+that is in honor and abideth not is like the brutes that perish_, if
+understood to mean the annihilation of animals, would prove also the
+annihilation of wicked men. And while most men of learning and piety have
+suspended their opinion on the existence of the inferior animals after
+death, for want of evidence, some have been decided advocates of the
+future happy existence of all beings, who exhibit a spark of intelligence.
+Not a few distinguished German theologians and philosophers regard the
+whole visible creation, both animate and inanimate, as at present in a
+confined and depressed state, and struggling for freedom. On this
+principle Tholuck explains that most difficult passage in Romans, which
+declares _that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain
+until now_. He supposes this "bound or fettered state of nature," both
+animate and inanimate, to have a casual connection with sin, and the death
+accompanying it among men; and, therefore, when men are freed from sin and
+death, _the creation itself, also, shall be delivered from the bondage of
+corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God_. The kingdom
+of God, according to Tholuck, Martin Luther, and many other distinguished
+theologians, will not be transferred to heaven at the end of the world,
+but be established on earth, where all these transformations of the
+animate and inanimate creation will take place.
+
+This exposition surely carries with it a great deal of naturalness and
+probability; and if it be true, death to the inferior animals must surely
+be an indication of great benevolence on the part of the Deity, since it
+introduces them to a higher state of existence. But if it be rejected,
+still the general principle is eminently applicable to the case of man.
+
+In the _second place_, the system of a succession of races of animals on
+earth, which death alone would render possible, secures a much greater
+collective amount of happiness than a single race of animals, endowed with
+earthly immortality. I sustain this position by three arguments. The first
+is, that young animals enjoy more, in the same period of time, than those
+more advanced in age. This may result, in part, in the present
+organization of animals, from the superior health and vigor enjoyed by the
+young. But it is due, also, in part, and largely, to the novelty of the
+scenes presented in early life. And so far as it results from the latter
+cause, it proves that a succession of races would enjoy more than a single
+race continued indefinitely, because the successive races would always be
+comparatively young. A single continuous race might, indeed, be supposed
+always possessed of the unabated vigor and health of youth; but, of
+necessity, objects must soon lose the charm of novelty, and, therefore,
+produce less of enjoyment. The second argument is, that a succession of
+races admits of the contemporaneous existence of a greater number of
+species than could coexist were none removed by death. If only one undying
+race occupied the globe, it must subsist exclusively on vegetable food.
+Whereas much the largest part of the species that now live are carnivorous
+or omnivorous. All the enjoyment of these flesh-eating animals is,
+therefore, so much clear gain to the stock of happiness, with the
+exception of the suffering which death inflicts. Now, but few of the
+inferior animals perish by disease. Some die by old age, and these suffer
+almost nothing. But the greater part are suddenly destroyed by the violent
+assault of the carnivorous races. And as the pangs of death are momentary,
+and there are no anticipations of its approach, nor sunderings of the ties
+of affection, nor dread of an hereafter, the suffering endured must be an
+exceedingly small drawback upon the enjoyment of the whole life. It is
+far less than it would be, if animals were left to perish by famine, or by
+slow degrees, from deficient nourishment; so that the existence of the
+carnivorous races, seeming at first view intended to convert the world
+into a vast Golgotha, does in fact add greatly to the amount of enjoyment,
+because it so prodigiously multiplies the number of species of animals,
+and lessens the sufferings of death. In the third place, death exerts a
+salutary moral influence upon man, and, as a consequence, swells the
+amount of his happiness. And although this consideration affects only one
+species, yet man's position on the scale of being makes his happiness an
+object of no small importance.
+
+The final conclusions at which we arrive, then, are, first, that death is
+a fixed and universal law of nature, essential to the existence of the
+present system of the world; and secondly, that, like all other laws of
+nature, it exhibits marks of benevolence, and wise adaptation on the part
+of the Author of nature. The question will indeed arise in every
+reflecting mind, why a Being of infinite power and wisdom could not have
+secured to his creatures the benefits resulting from a system of death,
+without the attendant suffering. But this question resolves itself into
+the inquiry, why evil exists at all; and although, in my own view, it
+exists most probably as a means of greater happiness to the universe, yet
+on this point the wisest minds have differed and been baffled, and equally
+perplexing is it to every form of religion. Hence it is no objection to
+any views we may adopt, that they leave this question where they found it.
+
+_The fifth and last step in our investigation of this subject is to show
+how science, experience, and revelation may be reconciled on the subject
+of death._
+
+We have seen that geology is not alone in proving death to be a law of
+nature, essential to the present system of the world, and, indeed,
+indicative of divine wisdom and benevolence. For anatomy and physiology,
+as well as experience, teach us the same truths. And natural theology
+shows that, if death is a law of organic nature, it must have entered into
+the plan of the universe in the divine mind, and was not the result of any
+change of organic nature subsequent to the fall of man. Can these views be
+reconciled with the declarations of Scripture, which certainly represent
+death among the human family, if not among the lower animals, to be the
+consequence of sin?
+
+There are three suppositions by which all apparent discrepancy between
+science and revelation, on this subject, may be removed. I shall present
+them, with the arguments in their favor, leaving to others to decide which
+is most reasonable. For they are independent of one another, though not
+inconsistent; and, therefore, even though different persons should prefer
+different theories, they need not be regarded as in opposition to one
+another.
+
+The first theory proceeds on the supposition that death is a universal law
+of organic nature, from which man was exempted so long as he obeyed the
+law of God. But I will present it in the language of its distinguished
+author. "In the state of pristine purity," says Dr. J. Pye Smith, "the
+bodily constitution of man was exempted from the law of progress towards
+dissolution, which belonged to the inferior animals. It must have been
+maintained in that distinguished peculiarity by means to us unknown; and
+it would seem probable that, had not man fallen by his transgression, he,
+and each of his posterity, would, after faithfully sustaining an
+individual probation, have passed through a change without dying, and have
+been exalted to a more perfect state of existence."--_Scrip. and Geol._
+4th ed. p. 208.
+
+According to this theory of Dr. Smith, man saw all other organic beings
+around him subject to decay and death, while he, as a special favor,
+remained unaffected by the general law. The penalty of disobedience was,
+that he would forfeit this enviable distinction, and be subjected to death
+more revolting than the brutes. The reward of obedience was a continued
+immunity from evil, and a final translation, without suffering, to a more
+exalted condition. And certainly the nature of the case furnishes a strong
+presumptive argument to show that man did thus stand exempted from the
+decay and death which reigned all around him. If not, what weight or
+meaning would there be in the penalty? If he had not seen death in other
+animals, how could he have any idea of the nature of the threatening? And
+we may be sure that God never promulgates a penalty without affording his
+subjects the means of comprehending it.
+
+I have already intimated that I could hardly see why there exists in all
+organic natures a tendency to decay and death, except in the will of the
+Creator. May not that tendency result, like the varieties among men, from
+some slightly modifying cause implanted by the Deity in the nature of the
+animal or plant? And if so, might not an opposite tendency be imparted to
+one or more species, so that the decay and death of the one, and the
+continued existence of the other, might be equally well explained on
+physiological principles? If this suggestion be admitted, it would not be
+necessary to resort to any supernatural or miraculous agency to show how
+sinless man in paradise might have stood unaffected by decay, the common
+lot of all other races. It must be confessed, however, that it is not as
+easy to see how, by any natural law, he could have been proof against
+mechanical violence and chemical agencies; there we must admit miraculous
+protection, or a self-restoring power more wonderful than that possessed
+by the polypi.
+
+These views receive strong confirmation from the history of the tree of
+life, that grew in the garden of Eden. The very name implies that it was
+intended to give or preserve life. That it had in it a power to preserve
+life is evident from the sentence pronounced on man. _And the Lord God
+saith, Behold, the man hath become as one of us, to know good and evil;
+and now, lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
+life, and live forever, therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the
+garden of Eden._ Now, it appears to me to be in perfect harmony with the
+principles of physiology to suppose that there might be a virtue in the
+tree of life--either in its fruit or some other part--to arrest that
+tendency to decay and dissolution which we now find in all animal bodies.
+It does seem that it would require only some slight modification of the
+present functions of the human frame to keep the wheels of life in motion
+indefinitely. When in Eden, man had access to this sure defence against
+disease. But after he had sinned, he must forfeit this privilege, and,
+like the plants and inferior animals, submit to the universal law of
+dissolution. Surely, of all the expositions that have been given of the
+meaning of this passage, this is the most rational, and it does throw an
+air of great plausibility over Dr. Smith's views.
+
+It will occur to every reflecting mind that we have in Scripture a few
+interesting examples of that change, without dying, from the present to a
+higher state of being, which the theory of Dr. Smith supposes would have
+been the happy lot of all mankind had they not sinned. _By faith Enoch was
+translated, that he should not see death. He walked with God, and he was
+not; for God took him._ Gladly would philosophys here interpose a
+thousand questions as to the manner in which this wonderful change took
+place; but the Scriptures are silent. It was enough for the heart of piety
+that God was the author of the change. And so, in the case of Elijah, we
+have the sublimely simple description only--_And it came to pass, as they
+still went on and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,
+and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a
+whirlwind into heaven._ Except the transfiguration of Christ, which
+appears to have been of an analogous character, these are all the actual
+examples of translation on record. But the apostle declares that, in the
+closing scene of this world's history, this same change shall pass upon
+multitudes. _Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep; but we
+shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
+trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
+incorruptible, and we shall be changed._ Abundant evidence is, therefore,
+before us, that the great change which death now causes us to pass through
+with fear and dread, might as easily have been, for the whole human
+family, a transition delightful in anticipation and joyful in experience.
+
+The second theory which will reconcile science and revelation on the
+subject of death, is one long since illustrated by Jeremy Taylor. And
+since he could have had no reference to geology in proposing it, because
+geology did not exist in his day, we may be sure, either that he learnt it
+from the Bible, or that other branches of knowledge teach the existence of
+death as a general law of nature, as well as geology.
+
+"That death, therefore," says Taylor, "which God threatened to Adam, and
+which passed upon his posterity, is not the going out of this world, but
+the manner of going. If he had staid in innocence, he should have gone
+placidly and fairly, without vexatious and afflictive circumstances; he
+should not have died by sickness, defect, misfortune, or unwillingness.
+But when he fell, then he began to die; the same day, (God said,) and that
+must needs be true; and, therefore, it must mean upon that very day he
+fell into an evil and dangerous condition, a state of change and
+affliction; then death began; that is, man began to die by a natural
+diminution, and aptness to disease and misery. Change or separation of
+soul and body is but accidental to death; death may be with or without
+either; but the formality, the curse, and the sting,--that is, misery,
+sorrow, fear, diminution, defect, anguish, dishonor, and whatsoever is
+miserable and afflictive in nature,--that is death. Death is not an
+action, but a whole state and condition; and this was first brought in
+upon us by the offence of one man."
+
+In more recent times, the essential features of these views of Taylor have
+been adopted by the ablest commentators and theologians, and sustained by
+an appeal to Scripture.[9] The position which they take is, that the death
+threatened as the penalty of disobedience has a more extended meaning than
+physical death. It is a generic term, including all penal evils; so that
+when death is spoken of as the penalty of sin, we may substitute the word
+_curse_, _wrath_, _destruction_, and the like. Thus, in Gen. ii. 17, we
+might read, _In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely be cursed_:
+and in Rom. v. 12, _By one man sin entered into the world, and the curse
+by sin_, &c. In his commentary on this passage, Professor Stuart says, "I
+see no _philological_ escape from the conclusion that death, in the sense
+of _penalty for sin in its full measure_, must be regarded as the meaning
+of the writer here." The same may be said of many other passages of
+Scripture, where the term _death_ is used.
+
+According to this exposition, the death threatened as the penalty of
+transgression embraces all the evils we suffer in this life and in
+eternity; among which the dissolution of the body is not one of the worst.
+Indeed, some writers will not admit that this was included at all in the
+penalty. Such, of course, find no difficulty in the geological statement
+that literal death preceded man's existence. But from the declaration in 1
+Cor. xv. 22, _As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
+alive_, it seems difficult to avoid the conclusion, that the death of the
+body was brought in upon the race by Adam's transgression. According to
+Taylor's view, however, we might reasonably suppose that what constituted
+the death threatened to Adam was not the going out of the world, but the
+manner of going, and that, had he continued holy, a change of worlds might
+have taken place, but it would not have been death.
+
+Now, there are some facts, both in experience and revelation, that give to
+these views an air of probability. One is, the mild character of death in
+many cases, when attended by only a few of the circumstances above
+enumerated, as constituting its essence. I believe that experience
+sustains the conclusion already drawn as to the inferior animals, when not
+aggravated by human cruelty. Pain is about the only circumstance that
+gives it the character of severity; and this is usually short, and not
+anticipated. Nor can it be doubted, as a general fact, that, as we descend
+along the scale of animals, we find the sensibility to suffering diminish.
+But in the human family we find examples still more to the point. In all
+those cases in which there is little or no disease, and a man in
+venerable old age feels the powers of life gradually give way, and the
+functions are feebly performed, until the heart at length ceases to beat,
+and the lungs to heave, death is merely the quiet and unconscious
+termination of the scene, so far as the physical nature is concerned. The
+brain partakes of the gradual decay, and thus the man is scarcely
+conscious of the failure of his powers, because his sensibilities are so
+blunted; and therefore, apart from sin, his mind feels little of the
+anguish of dissolution, and he quietly resigns himself into the arms of
+death,--
+
+                  "As sweetly as a child,
+  Whom neither thought disturbs, nor care encumbers,
+  Tired with long play, at close of summer's day,
+  Lies down and slumbers."
+
+If now, in addition to this physical preparation for his departure, the
+man possesses a deep consciousness of forgiven sin, and a firm hope of
+future and eternal joy, this change, which we call death, becomes only a
+joyful translation from earth to heaven; and though the man passes from
+our view,--
+
+                              "He sets,
+  As sets the morning star, which goes not down
+  Behind the darkened west, nor hides obscured
+  Among the tempests of the sky, but melts away
+  Into the light of heaven."
+
+Nay, when such faith and hope form an anchor to the soul, it is not
+necessary that the physical preparation, which I have described, should
+exist. The poor body may be torn by fierce disease, nay, by the infernal
+cruelties of martyrdom, and yet faith can rise--often has risen--over the
+pains of nature, in joyful triumph; and in the midst of the tempest, with
+her anchor fastened to the eternal Rock, she can exclaim, _O death, where
+is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be to God, which
+giveth me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ._ Surely such a
+dissolution as this cannot mean the death mentioned in the primeval curse.
+
+Look now at the contrast. Behold a man writhing in the fangs of
+unrelenting disease, and feeling at the same time the scorpion sting of a
+guilty conscience. His present suffering is terrible, but that in prospect
+is more so; yet he cannot bribe the king of terrors to delay the fatal
+stroke.
+
+                                    "The foe,
+  Like a stanch murderer, steady to his purpose,
+  Urges the soul through every nook and lane of life."
+
+It were enough for an unruffled mind to bear the bodily anguish of that
+dying hour. But the unpardoned sins of a whole life, and the awful
+retributions of a whole eternity, come crowding into that point of time;
+and no human fortitude can stand under the crushing load. This, this is
+emphatically death; the genuine fruit of sin, and therefore in
+correspondence with the original threatening.
+
+If we turn now to the Scriptures, we shall find some passages in striking
+agreement with the opinion that the death threatened to man was not the
+mere dissolution of the body and soul; not a mere going out of the world,
+but the manner of going.
+
+This is, indeed, made exceedingly probable by the facts already stated
+respecting the translation of Enoch and Elijah, and those alive at the
+coming of Christ. For the sacred writers do not call this death, although
+it be a removal out of the world, and a transformation of the natural into
+the spiritual body. Hence, upon the material part of men, the same effects
+were produced as result from ordinary death, and the subsequent
+resurrection.
+
+If we recur to the original threatening of death as the consequence of
+sin, we shall find a peculiarity in the form of expression, which our
+English translators have rendered by the phrase _thou shalt surely die_;
+but literally it should be, _dying thou shalt die_.
+
+This mode of expression is indeed very common in the Hebrew language; but
+it certainly was meant to indicate an intensity in the meaning, as in the
+phrase _blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee_;
+that is, I will greatly multiply thee. Must it not imply, in the case
+under consideration, at least that the death which would be the
+consequence of transgression, would possess an aggravated character? May
+it not imply as much as Taylor's theory supposes? Might it not be intended
+to teach Adam that, when he died, his death should not be simply the
+dissolution of the animal fabric, and the loss of animal life, as he
+witnessed it in the inferior creatures around him; but a change far more
+agonizing, in which the mental suffering should so much outweigh the
+corporeal as to constitute, in fact, its essence? I do not assert that
+this passage has such an extended meaning, but I suggest it. And I confess
+that I do not see why its peculiarity of form is understood in our common
+translation to imply certainty rather than intensity.
+
+There is another part of the threatening that deserves consideration. It
+says, that man should not only die, but die the very day of the offence.
+Now, if by death we understood merely a removal out of the world, or a
+separation of soul and body, the threatening was not executed after the
+forbidden fruit was tasted. But if it meant also, and chiefly, a state of
+sorrow, pain, and suffering, a liability to disease and fatal accident,
+the goadings of a guilty conscience, and the consequent fear of punishment
+beyond the grave, then death began on the very day when man sinned, and
+the dissolution of the soul and body was but the closing scene of the
+tragedy.
+
+The beautiful passage in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, already
+quoted, where the Christian, in view of death, exultingly exclaims, _O
+death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory!_ will doubtless
+occur to all who hear me, in this connection. Here the sting of death is
+expressly declared to be sin, and that the pardoned Christian obtains the
+victory over it. To him all that renders this king of terrors formidable
+is gone. Its physical sufferings may indeed be left, but these are hardly
+worth naming, when that which constitutes the sting of this great
+enemy--unpardoned guilt--is taken away. Little more than his harmless
+shadow is left. Worlds, indeed, are to be exchanged, and so they must have
+been if Adam had never been driven from paradise. The eyes, too, must
+close on beloved friends; but how soon to open them upon the bright
+glories of heaven! In short, the strong impression of this passage upon
+the mind is, that the essential thing in death is unpardoned sin; and
+therefore the death threatened to Adam may have been only the terrible
+aggravations of a departure out of this world, which have followed in the
+train of transgression.
+
+Another striking passage, bearing upon the same point, is the declaration
+of Paul, that _Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and brought life and
+immortality to light through the gospel_.
+
+The apostle does not surely mean that Christians are freed from what is
+commonly called death, since universal experience shows that animal life
+in them is as sure to be extinguished, and the soul to be separated from
+the body, as in others. But so different is death now, since Christ has
+brought to light a future and an immortal life, and by the sacrifice of
+himself shown how the heart may be reconciled to God, and sin forgiven,
+and faith inspired, that, in fact, while the shadow of death still
+occupies the passage to eternity, its substance is gone.
+
+That death, which sin introduced, Christ has abolished, because, by his
+sacrifice and his grace, he has conquered sin.
+
+Upon the whole, though we may not be convinced that either of the theories
+that have been explained is directly taught in the Scriptures, or can be
+shown to be infallibly true, yet they are sustained by probable evidence
+enough to remove the apprehension that there is any real discrepancy
+between geology and revelation on the subject of death. Between these
+theories there is but a slight difference. They are in fact but
+modifications of the same general principles; and I say it would be more
+philosophical to admit the truth of either of them, than a disagreement
+between science and Scripture, since the truth of both geology and
+revelation is sustained by such a mass of independent evidence.
+
+An objection, however, may be stated against both of these theories, on
+the ground that they seem to imply that death would have existed in the
+world, irrespective of the sin of man, and therefore they lessen our sense
+of the evil of sin.
+
+It may be doubted, I think, whether these theories do necessarily imply
+that there was no connection between the sin of man and the introduction
+of death into the world. But, admitting that they do, is it certain that
+inadequate views of sin are the result? For poetic effect, we admire the
+sublime sentimentalism of Milton:--
+
+  "Earth felt the wound; and Nature, from her seat,
+  Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe
+  That all was lost."
+
+But, after all, the deepest impression we get of the evil of sin is
+derived from contemplating its effects upon man, and especially the
+immortal mind. Witness its lofty powers bowed down in ignominious
+servitude to base corporeal appetites and furious and debasing passions.
+See how the understanding is darkened, the will perverted, and the heart
+alienated from all that is holy. See reason and conscience dethroned, and
+selfishness reigning in gloomy and undisputed tyranny over the immortal
+mind, while appetite and passion have become its obsequious panders. See
+how the affections turn away with loathing from God, and what a wall of
+separation has sprung up between man and his Maker; how deeply and
+universally he has revolted from his rightful sovereign, and has chosen
+other gods to rule over him. Consider, too, what havoc has been made in
+the body, that curious and wonderful workmanship of the Almighty; how the
+unbridled appetites have sown the seeds of disease therein, and how pain,
+languor, and decay assail the constitution as soon as we begin to live,
+and cease not their attacks till they triumph over the citadel of life.
+Consult the history of the world, and what a lazar-house and a Golgotha
+has it been! What land has not been drenched in human blood, poured out in
+ferocious war! What oceans of tears has the thirsty soil drank up! What
+breeze has ever blown over the land which has not been loaded with sighs,
+and groans, and the story of wrong and oppression, of treachery and
+murder, of suicide and assassination, of blasted hopes and despairing
+hearts! These, therefore, are the genuine fruits of sin. This, this is
+death. And, need I add that these are but the precursors of the second
+death?
+
+The third theory respecting death takes a more comprehensive view of the
+subject, and traces its origin to the divine plan of the creation.
+
+In creating this world, God did not act without a plan previously
+determined upon in all its details. Of course, man's character and
+condition formed prominent items in that plan. His apostasy, too, however
+some would hesitate to regard it as predetermined, all will allow to have
+been foreknown. Now, I maintain that God, in the beginning, adapted every
+other being and event in the world to man's character and condition, so
+that there should be entire harmony in its system. And since, either in
+the divine appointment, or in the nature of things, there is an
+inseparable connection between sin and death, the latter must constitute a
+feature of the system of the world, because a free agent would introduce
+the former. Death would ultimately exist in the world, and, therefore, all
+creatures placed in such a world must be made mortal, at whatever period
+created. For mortal and immortal natures could not exist in the same
+natural constitution, nor could a condition adapted to undying creatures
+be changed into a state of decay and death without an entirely new
+creation. Death, therefore, entered into the original plan of the world in
+the divine mind, and was endured by the animals and plants that lived
+anterior to man. Yet, as the constitution of the world is, doubtless, very
+different from what it would have been if sin had not existed in it, and
+as man alone was capable of sin, it is proper to regard man's
+transgression as the occasion of all the suffering and death that existed
+on the globe since its creation.
+
+It will probably be objected to this theory, that it is unjust to make
+animals suffer for man's apostasy, especially before it took place.
+
+I do not see why such suffering is any more unjust before than after man's
+transgression; and we know that they do now suffer in consequence of his
+sin. But this suffering is not to be regarded in the light of punishment;
+and if it can only be proved that benevolence predominates in the
+condition of animals, notwithstanding their sufferings, divine justice and
+benevolence are vindicated; and can there be any doubt that such is the
+fact? Death is not necessarily an evil to any animals. It may be a great
+blessing, by removing them to a higher state of existence. In the case of
+the inferior animals, it is but a small drawback upon the pleasure of
+life, even though they do not exist hereafter. We have endeavored to show
+that even the existence of carnivorous races is a benevolent provision.
+That animals are placed in an inferior condition, in consequence of man's
+apostasy, is no more cause of complaint than that man is made a little
+lower than the angels.
+
+Another objection to these views is, that it makes the effect precede the
+cause; for it-represents the pre-Adamic animals as dying in consequence of
+man's transgression.
+
+I do not maintain that the death of animals, before or after Adam, was the
+direct and natural consequence of his transgression. Nay, I am endeavoring
+to show directly the contrary. But, then, the certainty of man's apostasy
+might have been the grand reason in the divine mind for giving to the
+world its present constitution, and subjecting animals to death. Not that
+God altered his plan upon a prospective knowledge that man would sin; but
+he made this plan originally, that is from eternity, with that event in
+view, and he made it different from what it would have been, if such an
+event had not been certain. If this be true, then was there a connection
+between man's sin and the death that reigned before his existence; though,
+in strict accuracy of speech, one can hardly be called the cause of the
+other. And yet it was, as I maintain, occasioned by man's sin, and shows
+the wide-spread influence of that occurrence, even more strikingly than
+the ordinary theory of death.
+
+A third objection to this theory is, that it represents God as putting man
+in a place of punishment before he had sinned; or, at least, in a state
+where death was the universal law, and where he must die, though he should
+keep the law of God.
+
+There are three suppositions, either of which will meet this difficulty.
+
+We may suppose, with Jeremy Taylor, that the death threatened to Adam
+consisted, not in going out of the world, but in the manner of going. If
+he had not sinned, the exchange of worlds would have been without fear or
+suffering, and an object of desire rather than aversion. Christ has not
+secured to the believer the privilege of an earthly immortality, but has
+taken away from a removal out of the world all that constitutes death.
+
+Or we may suppose, with Dr. J. Pye Smith, that, while man should continue
+to keep the divine law, he would be secured from that tendency to decay
+and dissolution, which was the common lot of all other creatures, until
+the time should come for his removal, without suffering or dread, to a
+higher state of existence. And that a means of immunity from death existed
+in the garden of Eden we learn from the Scriptures. For there stood the
+tree of life, whose fruit had the power to make man live forever, and,
+therefore, he must be banished from the spot where it grew.
+
+Or, finally, we may suppose that God fitted up for man some balmy spot,
+where neither decay nor death could enter, and where every thing was
+adapted for a being of perfect holiness and happiness. His privilege was
+to dwell there, so long as he could preserve his innocence, but no longer.
+And surely this supposition seems to accord with the description of the
+garden of Eden, man's first dwelling-place. There every thing seems to
+have been adapted to his happiness; but sin drove him out among the thorns
+and thistles, and a cherubim and a flaming sword forbade his return to
+the tree of life.
+
+Either of these suppositions will meet the difficulty suggested by the
+objection; or they may all be combined consistently. Let us now look at
+some of the advantages of the third theory above advanced.
+
+In the first place, it satisfactorily harmonizes revelation with geology,
+physiology, and experience, on the subject of death. It agrees with
+physiology and experience in representing death to be a law of organic
+being on the globe. Yet it accords with revelation, in showing how this
+law may be a result of man's apostasy; and with geology, also, in showing
+how death might have reigned over animals and plants before man's
+existence. To remove so many apparent discrepancies is surely a
+presumption in favor of any theory.
+
+In the second place, the fundamental principle of this theory is also a
+fundamental principle of natural and revealed theology, viz., that all
+events in this world entered originally into the plan or purpose of the
+Deity. To suppose that God made the world without a plan previously
+determined upon, is to make him less wise than a human architect, who
+would be charged with great folly to attempt building even a house without
+a plan. And to suppose that plan not to extend to every event, is to rob
+God of his infinite attributes.
+
+In the third place, this theory falls in with the common interpretation of
+Scripture, which refers the whole system of suffering, decay, and death in
+this world to man's apostasy. And although the general reception of any
+exegesis of Scripture does not prove it to be correct, it is certainly
+gratifying when a thorough examination proves the obvious sense of a
+passage to be the true one. For to disturb the popular interpretation is,
+with many, equivalent to a denial of Scripture.
+
+In the fourth place, this theory shows us the infinite skill and
+benevolence of Jehovah in educing good from evil.
+
+The free agency of man was an object in the highest degree desirable. Yet
+such a character made him liable to fall; and God knew that he would fall.
+To human sagacity that act would seem to seal up his fate forever. But
+infinite wisdom saw that the case was not hopeless. It placed him in a
+state of temporal suffering and temporal death, that he might still have a
+chance of escaping eternal suffering and eternal death. The discipline of
+such a world was eminently adapted to restore his lost purity, and death
+was probably the only means by which a fallen being could pass to a higher
+state of existence. That discipline, indeed, if rightly improved, would
+probably fit him for a higher degree of holiness and happiness than if he
+had never sinned; so as to make true the paradoxical sentiment of the
+poet,--
+
+  "Death gives us more than was in Eden lost."
+
+Misimproved, this discipline would result in an infinite loss, far greater
+than if man never passed through it. But this is all the fault of man;
+while all the benefit of a state of probation is the result of God's
+infinite wisdom and benevolence.
+
+In the fifth place, this theory relieves us from the absurdity of
+supposing that God was compelled to alter the plan of creation after man's
+apostasy.
+
+The common theory does convey an idea not much different from this. It
+makes the impression that God was disappointed when man sinned, and being
+thereby thwarted in his original purpose, he did the best he could by
+changing his plan, just as men do when some unexpected occurrence
+interferes with their short-sighted contrivances. Now, such an
+anthropomorphic view of God is inexcusable in the nineteenth century. It
+was necessary to use such representations in the early ages of the world,
+when pure spiritual ideas were unknown; and hence the Bible describes God
+as repenting and grieved that he had made man. But with the light of the
+New Testament and of modern science, we ought to be able to enucleate the
+true spiritual idea from such descriptions. The theory under consideration
+does not reduce God to any after-thought expedients, but makes provision
+for every occurrence in his original plan; and, of course, shows that
+every event takes place as he would have it, when viewed in its relations
+to the great system of the universe.
+
+In the sixth place, this theory sheds some light upon the important
+question, why God permitted the introduction of death into the world.
+
+It is difficult for some persons to conceive why God, when he foresaw
+Adam's apostasy, did not change his plan of creation, and exclude so
+terrible an evil as death. But according to this theory, he permitted it,
+because it was a necessary part of a great system of restoration, by which
+the human race might, if not recreant to their true interests, be restored
+to more than their primeval blessedness. It was not introduced as a mere
+punishment, but as a necessary means of raising a fallen being into a
+higher state of life and blessedness; or, if he perversely spurned the
+offered boon, of sinking him down to the deeper wretchedness which is the
+just consequence of unrepented sin, without even the sympathy of any part
+of the created universe.
+
+Finally. This subject throws some light upon that strange mixture of good
+and evil, which exists in the present world. We have seen, indeed, that
+benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements of nature; and
+we are called upon continually to admire the adaptation of external nature
+to the human constitution. A large portion of our sufferings here may
+also be imputed to our own sins, or the sins of others; and these we
+cannot charge upon God. But, after all, it seems difficult to conceive how
+even a sinless man could escape a large amount of suffering here; enough,
+indeed, to make him often sigh for deliverance and for a better state. How
+many sources of sufferings there are in unhealthy climates, mechanical
+violence, and chemical agents; in a sterile soil, in the excessive heats
+of the tropical regions, and extreme cold of high latitudes; in the
+encroachments and ferocity of the inferior animals; in poisons, mineral,
+vegetable, and animal; in food unfitted to the digestive and assimilating
+organs; in the damps and miasms of night; and in the frequent necessity
+for over-exertion of body and mind! And then, how many hinderances to the
+exercise of the mental powers, in all the causes that have been mentioned!
+and how does the soul feel that she is imprisoned in flesh and blood, and
+her energies cramped, and her vision clouded, by a gross corporeal medium!
+And thus it is, to a great extent, with all nature, especially animal
+nature; and I cannot but believe, as already intimated, that Paul had
+these very things in mind when he said, _The whole creation groaneth and
+travaileth together in pain until now, and waiteth for the manifestation
+of the sons of God_; that is, for emancipation from its present depressed
+and fettered condition. In short, while there is so much in this world to
+call forth our admiration and gratitude to God, there is enough to make us
+feel, also, that it is a fallen condition. It is not such a world as
+infinite benevolence would provide for perfectly holy beings, whom he
+desired to make perfectly happy, but rather such a world as is adapted for
+a condition of trial and preparation for a higher state, when both mind
+and body would be delivered from the fetters that now cramp their
+exercise.
+
+Now, the theory which I advocate asserts that this peculiar condition of
+the world resulted from the divine determination, upon a prospective view
+of man's transgression. It may, therefore, be properly regarded as
+occasioned by man's transgression, but not in the common meaning attached
+to that phrase, which is, that, before man's apostasy, the constitution of
+the world was different from what it now is, and death did not exist. This
+theory supposes God to have devised the present peculiar mixed condition
+of the world, as to good and evil, in eternity, in order to give man an
+opportunity to rescue himself from the penalty and misery of sin; and in
+order to introduce those who should do this into a higher state of
+existence. The plan, therefore, is founded in infinite wisdom and
+benevolence, while it brings out man's guilt, and the evil of sin, in
+appalling distinctness and magnitude.
+
+But, after all, how little idea would a man have of the entire plot of a
+play, who had heard only a part of the first act! How little could he
+judge of the bearing of the first scene upon the final development! Yet we
+are now only in the first act of the great drama of human existence. Death
+shows us that we shall ere long be introduced into a second act, and
+affords a presumption that other acts--it may be in an endless
+series--will succeed, before the whole plot shall have passed before us;
+and not till then can we be certain what are all the objects to be
+accomplished by the introduction of sin and death into our world. And if
+thus early we can catch glimpses of great benefit to result from these
+evils, what full conviction, that infinite benevolence has planned and
+consummated the whole, will be forced upon the mind, when the vast
+panorama of God's dispensations shall lie spread out in the memory! For
+that time shall Faith wait, in confident hope that all her doubts and
+darkness shall be converted into noonday brightness.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE IV.
+
+THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES.
+
+
+The history of opinions respecting the deluge of Noah is one of the most
+curious and instructive in the annals of man. In this field, Christians
+have often broken lances with infidels, and also with one another. The
+unbeliever has confidently maintained that the Bible history of the deluge
+is at war with the facts and reasonings of science. Equally confident has
+been the believer that nature bears strong testimony to its occurrence.
+Some Christians, however, have asserted, with the infidel, that no trace
+remains on the face of nature of such an event. And as this is a subject
+which men are apt to suppose themselves masters of, when they have only
+skimmed the surface, the contest between these different parties has been
+severe and protracted. Almost every geological change which the earth has
+undergone, from its centre to its circumference, has, at one time or
+another, been ascribed to this deluge. And so plain has this seemed to
+those who had only a partial view of the facts, that those who doubted it
+were often denounced as enemies of revelation. But most of these opinions
+and this dogmatism are now abandoned, because both Nature and Scripture
+are better understood. And among well-informed geologists, at least, the
+opinion is almost universal, that there are no facts in their science
+which can be clearly referred to the Noachian deluge; that is, no traces
+in nature of that event; and on the other hand, that there is nothing in
+the Mosaic account of the deluge which would necessarily lead is to expect
+permanent marks of such a catastrophe within or upon the earth.
+
+If such be the case, you will doubtless inquire, what connection there is
+between geology and the revealed history of the deluge, and why the
+subject should be introduced into this series of lectures. I reply, that
+so recently have correct views been entertained on this subject, and so
+little understood are they; that they need to be defined and explained.
+And if the distribution of animals and plants on the globe come within the
+province of geology, then this science has a very important point of
+connection with the history of the deluge, as will appear in the sequel.
+And finally, the history of opinions on this subject is full of
+instruction to those who undertake to reason on the connection between
+science and religion. Obviously, then, my first object should be to give a
+brief history of the views that have been entertained respecting the
+deluge of Noah, so far as they have been supposed to have any connection
+with geology.
+
+It is well known, that in the written and unwritten traditions of almost
+every nation and tribe under heaven, the story of a general deluge has
+been prominent; and probably, in all these cases, some attempt has been
+made to explain the manner in which the waters were brought over the land.
+But most of these reasonings, especially in ancient times, are too absurd
+to deserve even to be recited. Indeed, it is not till the beginning of the
+sixteenth century, that we find any discussions on the subject worthy of
+notice. At that time, some excavations at Verona, in Italy, brought to
+light many fossil shells, and awakened a question as to their origin. Some
+maintained that they were only _simulacra_, or resemblances to animals,
+but never had a real existence. They were supposed to have been produced
+by a certain "_materia pinguis_," or "fatty matter," existing in the
+earth. Others maintained that they were deposited by the deluge of Noah.
+Such, indeed, was the general opinion; but Fracastoro and a few others
+maintained that they were once real animals, and could not have been
+brought into their present condition by the last deluge. For more than
+three hundred years have these questions been more or less discussed; and
+though decided many years ago by all geologists, not a few intelligent men
+still maintain, that petrified shells are mere abortive resemblances of
+real beings, or that they were deposited by the deluge.
+
+The advocates of the diluvial origin of petrifactions soon found
+themselves hard pressed with the question, how these relics could be
+scattered through strata many thousand feet thick, by one transient flood.
+They, therefore, came to the conclusion, in the words of Woodward, a
+distinguished cosmogonist of the eighteenth century, that the "whole
+terrestrial globe was taken to pieces and dissolved at the flood, and the
+strata settled down from this promiscuous mass, as any earthy sediment
+from a fluid." During that century, many works appeared upon cosmogony,
+defending similar views, by such men as Burnet, Scheuchzer, and Catcott.
+Some of these works exhibited no little ability, mixed, however, with
+hypotheses so extravagant that they have ever since been the butt of
+ridicule. The very title of Burnet's work cannot but provoke a smile. It
+is called "The Sacred Theory of the Earth, containing an Account of the
+Original of the Earth, and of all the general Changes it bath already
+undergone, or is to undergo, till the Consummation of all Things." He
+maintained that the primitive earth was only "an orbicular crust, smooth,
+regular, and uniform, without mountains and without a sea." This crust
+rested on the surface of a watery abyss, and, being heated by the sun,
+became chinky; and in consequence of the rarefaction of the included
+vapors, it burst asunder, and fell down into the waters, and so was
+comminuted and dissolved, while the inhabitants perished. Catcott's work
+was confined exclusively to the deluge, and exhibited a good deal of
+ability. He endeavored to show, that this dissolution of the earth by the
+deluge was taught in the Scriptures, and his reasoning on that point is a
+fine example of the state of biblical interpretation in his day. "As there
+are other texts," says he, "which mention the dissolution of the earth, it
+may be proper to cite them. Ps. xlvi. 2. _God is our refuge; therefore
+will we not fear though the earth be removed_, [be changed, be quite
+altered, as it was at the deluge.] _God uttered his voice, the earth
+melted_, [flowed, dissolved to atoms.] Again, Job xxviii. 9. _He sent his
+hand_ [the expansion, his instrument, or the agent by which he worked]
+_against the rock, he overturned the mountains by the roots, he caused the
+rivers to burst forth from between the rocks_, [or broke open the
+fountains of the abyss.] _His eye_ [symbolically placed for light] _saw_
+[passed through, or between] _every minute thing_, [every-atom, and so
+dissolved the whole.] _He_ [at last] _bound up the waters from weeping_,
+[i. e. from pressing through the shell of the earth, as tears make their
+way through the orb of the eye; or, as it is related, (Gen. viii. 2,) _He
+stopped the fountains of the abyss and the windows of heaven_,] _and
+brought out the light from its hiding-place_, [i. e., from the inward
+parts of the earth, from between every atom where it lay hid, and kept
+each atom separate from the other, and so the whole in a state of
+dissolution; his bringing out those parts of the light which caused the
+dissolution would of course permit the agents to act in their usual way,
+and so reform the earth."]--_Treatise on the Deluge_, p. 43, (London,
+1761.)
+
+We can hardly believe at the present day, that a logical and scientific
+mind, like that of Catcott, could satisfy itself, by such a dreamy
+exegesis, that the Scriptures teach the earth's dissolution at the deluge;
+especially when they so distinctly describe the waters of the deluge, as
+first rising over the land, and then sinking back to their original
+position. Still more strange is it how Burnet could have thought it
+consistent with Scripture to suppose the earth, before the flood, "to have
+been covered with an orbicular crust, smooth, regular, and uniform,
+without mountains and without a sea," when the Bible so distinctly states,
+as the work of the third day, that _the waters under the heavens were
+gathered together unto one place, and the dry land appeared_; and that
+_God called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters
+he called seas_; and further, that, by the deluge, _all the high hills
+were covered_. Yet these men doubtless supposed that, by the views which
+they advocated, they were defending the Holy Scriptures. Nay, their views
+were long regarded as exclusively the orthodox views, and opposition to
+them was considered, for one or two centuries, as virtual opposition to
+the Bible. Truly, this, in biblical interpretation, was straining at a
+gnat and swallowing a camel.
+
+It is quite convenient to explain such anomalies in human belief, by
+referring them to the spirit of the age, or to the want of the light of
+modern science. But in the present case, we cannot thus easily dispose of
+the difficulty. For in our own day, we have seen these same absurdities of
+opinion maintained by a really scientific man, selected to write one of
+the Bridgewater Treatises, as one of the most learned men in Great
+Britain. I refer to Rev. William Kirby, evidently a thorough entomologist
+and a sincere Christian. But he adopts the opinion, not only that there
+exists a subterranean abyss of waters, but a subterranean metropolis of
+animals, where the huge leviathians, the gigantic saurians, dug out of the
+rocks by the geologist, still survive; and this he endeavors to prove from
+the Bible. For this purpose he quotes the passage in Psalms, _though thou
+hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the
+shadow of death_. His exposition of this text is much in the style of that
+already given from Catcott. Following that writer and Hutchinson, he
+endeavors to show, by a still more fanciful interpretation, that the
+phrase "windows of heaven," in Genesis, means cracks and volcanic rents in
+the earth, through which air and water rushed inwardly and outwardly with
+such violence as to tear the crust to pieces. This was the effect of the
+increasing waters of the deluge; the bringing together of these comminuted
+particles, so as to form the present strata, was the work of the subsiding
+waters.
+
+These views will seem very strange to those not familiar with the history
+of geology. But we shall find their origin, if a few facts be stated
+respecting what has been called the physico-theological school of writers,
+that originated with one Hutchinson, in the beginning of the eighteenth
+century. He was a disciple of the distinguished cosmogonist Woodward. But
+he attacked the views of his master, as well as those of Sir Isaac Newton
+on gravitation, in a work which he published in twelve octavo volumes,
+entitled "_Moses's Principia_." He there maintains that the Scriptures,
+when rightly understood, contain a complete system of natural philosophy.
+
+This dogma, advocated by Hutchinson with the most intolerant spirit,
+constitutes the leading peculiarity of the physico-theological school, and
+has been very widely adopted, and has exerted a most pernicious influence
+both upon religion and upon science. It is painful, therefore, to find so
+learned and excellent a man as Mr. Kirby so deeply imbued with it, so
+long after its absurdity has been shown again and again. It is devoutly to
+be wished that the cabalistic dreams of Hutchinsonianism are not to be
+extensively revived in our day. And, indeed, such is the advanced state of
+hermeneutical knowledge, that we have little reason to fear it.
+Nevertheless, its leaven is yet by no means thoroughly purged out from the
+literary community.
+
+It was one of the settled principles of the physico-theological school,
+that, since the creation, the earth has undergone no important change
+beneath the surface, except at the deluge, because it was supposed that
+the Bible mentions no other event that could produce any important change.
+Hence all marks of changes in the rocks since their original creation must
+be referred to the deluge. And especially when it was found that most of
+the petrifactions in the rocks were of marine origin, not only were they
+supposed to be the result of the deluge, but a most conclusive proof of
+that event. And this opinion is even yet very widely received by the
+Christian world. The argument in its favor, when stated in a popular
+manner to those not familiar with geology, is indeed quite imposing. For
+if the land, almost every where, even to the tops of some of its highest
+mountains, abounds in sea shells, this is just what we should expect, if
+the sea flowed over those mountains at the deluge. But the moment we come
+to examine the details respecting marine petrifactions, we see that
+nothing can be more absurd than to suppose them the result of a transient
+deluge. Yet this view is maintained in nearly all the popular commentaries
+of the present day upon Genesis, and in many respectable periodicals. It
+is taught, therefore, in the Sabbath school and in the family; and the
+child, as he grows up, is shocked to find the geologist assailing it; and
+when he finds it false, he is in danger of becoming jealous of the other
+evidences of Christianity which he has been taught.
+
+Another branch of the modern physico-theological school, embracing men who
+have read too much on the subject of geology to be able to believe in the
+dissolution of the globe by the deluge, have adopted a more plausible
+hypothesis. They suppose that between the creation and the deluge, or in
+sixteen hundred and fifty-six years, according to the received chronology,
+all the present fossiliferous rocks of our continents, more than six miles
+in thickness, were deposited at the bottom of the ocean. By that event,
+they were raised from beneath the waters, and the continents previously
+existing sunk down and disappeared; so that the land now inhabited was
+formerly the ocean's bed. To prove that such a change took place at the
+deluge, Granville Penn and Fairholme quote the declaration of God, in
+Genesis, respecting the flood--_I will destroy them_, (i. e., men,) _and
+the earth, or with the earth_; also the statement of Peter--_The world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished_. The terms _earth_
+and _world_ may mean either the solid globe, or the animals and plants
+upon it. If in these passages they have the latter meaning, then they
+simply teach that the deluge destroyed the natural life of organic beings.
+If they have the former meaning, then the inquiry arises, What are we to
+understand by the destruction here described? It may mean annihilation, or
+it may imply ruin in some respects. That annihilation did not result from
+the deluge is evident from the case of men, who suffered only temporal
+death, and even this was not universal; and we know, also, that the matter
+of the earth did not perish. We must resort, therefore, to the sacred
+history to learn how far the destruction extended That history seems very
+plain. There was a rain of forty days, and the fountains of the great deep
+were broken up; that is, as Professor Stuart happily expresses it, "The
+ocean overflowed while the rain descended in vast quantities." The waters
+gradually rose over the dry land, and after a hundred and fifty days,
+began to subside, and at the end of a year and a few days they were gone.
+Such an overflowing could not take place without producing the almost
+entire destruction of organic life, and making extensive havoc with the
+soil, especially as a wind assisted in driving these waters from the land.
+But there is nothing in the narrative that would lead us to suppose either
+a comminution or dissolution of the earth, or the elevation of the ocean's
+bed. The same land which was overflowed is described as again emerging.
+Indeed, a part of the rivers proceeding out of the garden of Eden are the
+same as those now existing on the globe. We must then admit that our
+present continents--certainly the Asiatic,--are the same as the
+antediluvian, or deny that the account of Eden, in Genesis, is a part of
+the Bible. The latter alternative is preferred by Penn and Fairholme.
+Surely such men ought to be cautious how they censure geologists for
+modifying the meaning of some verses in Genesis, when they thus, without
+any evidence of its spuriousness, unceremoniously erase so important a
+passage.
+
+I might add to all this that the facts of geology forbid the idea that our
+present continents formed the bed of the ocean at so recent a date as that
+of Noah's deluge, and that the supposition that all organic remains were
+deposited during the two thousand years between the six days' work and the
+deluge is totally irreconcilable with all correct philosophy. Why, during
+the time when the fossiliferous rocks were in a course of formation, four
+or five entirely distinct races of animals and plants successively
+occupied the land and the waters, and passed away in regular order; and
+these races were so unlike, that they could not have been contemporaneous.
+Who will maintain that all this took place in the short period of two
+thousand years? I am sure that no geologist will.
+
+But modern geologists have, until recently, supposed that the traces of
+Noah's deluge might still be seen upon the earth's surface. I say its
+surface; for none of them imagined those effects could have reached to a
+great depth. Over a large part of the northern hemisphere they found
+extensive accumulations of gravel and bowlders, which had been removed
+often a great distance from their parent rocks, while the ledges beneath
+were smoothed and striated, obviously by the grating over them of these
+piles of detritus. How very natural to refer these effects to the agency
+of currents of water; just such currents as might have resulted from a
+universal deluge. But the inference was a hasty one For when geologists
+came to study the phenomena of drift or diluvium, as these accumulations
+of travelled matter are called, they found that currents of water alone
+would not explain them all. Some other agency must have been concerned;
+and the general opinion now is, that drift has been the result of the
+joint action of water and ice; and nearly all geologists suppose that this
+action took place before man's existence on the globe. Some suppose it to
+have been the result of oceanic currents, while yet our continents were
+beneath the waters; others think that the northern ocean may have been
+thrown southerly over the dry land by the elevation of its bed; and others
+maintain that vast masses of ice may formerly have encircled high
+latitudes, whose glaciers, melting away, may have driven towards the
+equator the great quantities of drift and bowlders which have been
+carried in that direction. In short, it is now found that this is one of
+the most difficult problems in geology; and while most geologists agree
+that both ice and water have been concerned in producing the phenomena,
+the time and manner of their action are not yet very satisfactorily
+determined. They may have acted at different periods and in divers
+manners; but all the phenomena could not have been the result of one
+transient deluge.
+
+From the facts that have now been detailed, it appears that on no subject
+of science connected with religion have men been more positive and
+dogmatical than in respect to Noah's deluge, and that on no subject has
+there been greater change of opinion. From a belief in the complete
+destruction and dissolution of the globe by that event, those best
+qualified to judge now doubt whether it be possible to identify one mark
+of that event in nature.
+
+I shall now proceed to state, in a more definite form, the views of this
+subject entertained by the most enlightened judges of its merits at the
+present day.
+
+_In the first place, most of the cases of accumulations of drift, the
+dispersion of bowlders, and the polish and striæ upon rocks in place,
+occurred previous to man's existence upon the globe, and cannot have been
+the result of Noah's deluge._
+
+From the arguments for sustaining this position I shall select only a
+part.
+
+The first is, that the organic remains found in the alluvium considerably
+above the drift, which always lies below the alluvium, are many of them of
+extinct species. Whether the genuine drift--a heterogeneous mass of
+fragments, driven pellmell together--contains any organic relics, is to me
+very doubtful. But if the stratified deposits subsequent to the drift
+present us with beings no longer alive on the globe, much more would the
+drift. Now, the presumption is, that extinct animals and plants belong to
+a creation anterior to man, especially if they exhibit a tropical
+character,--as those do which are usually assigned to the drift,--since we
+have no evidence of a tropical climate in northern latitudes till we get
+back to a period far anterior to man.
+
+Secondly. No remains of man or his works have been found in drift, nor
+indeed till we rise almost to the top of the alluvial deposit. Even
+ancient Armenia has now been examined geologically, with sufficient care
+to make it almost certain that human remains do not exist there in drift,
+if drift is found there at all; of which there may be a question.
+
+Thirdly. The agency producing drift must have operated during a vastly
+longer period than the three hundred and eighty days of Noah's deluge. It
+would be easy to show to a geologist that the extensive erosions which are
+referrible to that agency, and the huge masses of detritus which have been
+the result, must have demanded centuries, and even decades of years. Nor
+will any supposed increase of power in the agency explain the results,
+without admitting a long period for their action.
+
+Fourthly. Water appears to have been the principal agent in the Noachian
+deluge; but in the production of drift, ice was at least equally
+concerned.
+
+Finally. The phenomena of deltas, terraces, and ancient sea-beaches, make
+the period of the drift immensely more remote than the deluge of Noah,
+since these phenomena are all posterior to the drift period. I need not go
+into the details of this argument here, since I have drawn them out in my
+second lecture. But of all the arguments ever adduced to prove the great
+length of time occupied in geological changes, this--which, so far as the
+terraces are concerned, has never before, I believe, been adduced--seems
+to me the most convincing to those who carefully examine the subject.
+
+We may be sure, then, that the commencement of the drift period, and the
+deluge of Noah, cannot have been synchronous. But the drift agency,
+connected, as nearly all geologists seem now to be ready to admit, with
+the vertical movements of continents, may have operated, and undoubtedly
+has, at various periods, and very possibly, in some parts of the world,
+long posterior to the period usually called the drift period. I agree,
+therefore, in opinion with one of the most eminent and judicious of the
+European geologists, Professor Sedgwick of Cambridge, when he says, "If we
+have the clearest proofs of great oscillations of sea level, and have a
+right to make use of them, while we seek to explain some of the latest
+phenomena of geology, may we not reasonably suppose, that, within the
+period of human history, similar oscillations have taken place in those
+parts of Asia which were the cradle of our race, and may have produced
+that destruction among the early families of men, which is described in
+our sacred books, and of which so many traditions have been brought down
+to us through all the streams of authentic history?"--_Geology of the Lake
+District_, p. 14.
+
+_Secondly. Admitting the deluge to have been universal over the globe, it
+could not have deposited the fossil remains in the rocks._
+
+This position is too plain to the practical geologist to need a formal
+argument to sustain it. But there are many intelligent men, who do not see
+clearly why the remains of marine animals and plants may not be referred
+to the deluge. And if they could be, then all the demands of the geologist
+for long periods anterior to man are without foundation. But they cannot
+be, for the following reasons:--
+
+First. On this supposition the organic remains ought to be confusedly
+mingled together, since they must have been brought over the land
+promiscuously by the waters of the deluge; but they are in fact arranged
+in as much order as the specimens of a well-regulated cabinet. The
+different rocks that lie above one another do, indeed, contain some
+species that are common; but the most are peculiar. It is impossible to
+explain such a fact if they were deposited by the deluge.
+
+Secondly. On this theory, at least, a part of the organic remains ought to
+correspond with living animals and plants, since the deluge took place so
+long after the six days of creation. But with the exception of a few
+species near the top of the series, the fossil species are wholly unlike
+those now alive.
+
+Thirdly. How, by this theory, can we explain the fact, that there are
+found in the rocks at least five distinct races of animals and plants, so
+unlike that they could not have been contemporaries? or for the fact, that
+most of them are of a highly tropical character? or for the fact, that as
+we rise higher in the rocks, there is a nearer and nearer approach to
+existing species?
+
+Fourthly. This theory requires us to admit, that in three hundred and
+eighty days the waters of the deluge deposited rocks at least six miles in
+thickness, over half or two thirds of our existing continents; and these
+rocks made up of hundreds of thick beds, exceedingly unlike one another in
+composition and organic contents. Will any reasonable man believe this
+possible without a miracle?
+
+But I need not multiply arguments on this point. It is a theory which no
+reasonable man can long maintain after studying the subject. And if it be
+indeed true, that neither in the drift, nor in the fossiliferous rocks,
+can we discover any traces of the deluge, then we shall find them nowhere
+on the globe. But
+
+_Thirdly. There are no facts in geology that afford any presumption
+against the occurrence of the Noachian deluge, but rather the contrary._
+
+The geologist says only, that if any traces of it exist, he cannot
+distinguish them from the effects of other analogous agencies that have
+operated on the globe at various periods. Some parts of the globe do not
+exhibit marks of any powerful aqueous action, such as high northern and
+southern latitudes do exhibit. But the sacred record, in its account of
+the access and subsidence of diluvial waters, does not require us to
+suppose any great degree of violence in their action on the surface; and
+although currents somewhat powerful must have been the result, yet they
+may not have existed every where, nor have always left traces of their
+passage where they did exist. On the other hand, the geologist will admit,
+as we have already seen, that in the elevation and subsidence of mountains
+and continents, and in volcanic agency generally, of which geology
+contains so many examples, we have an adequate cause for extensive, if not
+universal, deluges; nor can he say how recently this cause may have
+operated beneath certain oceans, sufficiently to produce the deluge of the
+Scriptures. So that, in fact, we have in geology a presumption in favor
+of, rather than against, such a deluge. Nay, some, who have examined
+Armenia, have thought they found there a deposit which could be referred
+to the deluge of Noah; but I have no access to any facts on this point.
+
+_Fourthly. There are reasons, both in natural history and in the
+Scriptures, for supposing that the deluge may not have been universal over
+the globe, but only over the region inhabited by man._
+
+This is a position of no small importance, and will, therefore, require
+our careful examination. And in the beginning, I wish to premise, that I
+assume the deluge to have been brought about by natural operations, or in
+conformity with the laws of nature. I feel no reluctance in admitting it
+to have been strictly miraculous, provided the narrative will allow of
+such a conclusion. But if it was miraculous, then we must give up the idea
+of philosophizing about it, and believe the facts simply on the divine
+testimony. For how can we philosophize upon an event that is brought about
+by the direct efficiency of God, and without reference to existing natural
+laws, and, it may be, in contravention of them, unless, indeed, the
+history contains such contradictions as even infinite power and wisdom
+could not make harmonious? Some writers endeavor to show the conformity of
+the sacred history of the deluge to established natural laws, until they
+meet with some objection too strong to be answered, when they turn round
+and declare the whole occurrence to have been miraculous. This I conceive
+to be absurd, and I shall accordingly proceed on the supposition that the
+whole event was a penal infliction, brought about by natural laws; or, at
+least, if there was any thing miraculous, it consisted in giving greater
+power to natural operations, without interfering with the regular sequence
+of cause and effect. And does not the narrative leave the impression on
+the mind of the reader, that it was brought about by natural means? The
+sacred writer distinctly assigns two natural causes of the increase of the
+waters, viz., a rain of forty days and the breaking up of the fountains of
+the great deep, which doubtless means an overflow of the ocean; and, to
+hasten the subsidence of the waters, it is said that God made a wind to
+blow over the surface. It is no proof of miraculous agency, that the whole
+work is referred to the immediate power of God, for it is well known that
+this is the usual mode in which the sacred writers speak of natural
+events.
+
+The first difficulty in the way of supposing the flood to have been
+literally universal, is the great quantity of water that would have been
+requisite.
+
+The amount necessary to cover the earth to the tops of the highest
+mountains, or about five miles above the present oceans, would be eight
+times greater than that existing on the globe at this time. From whence
+could this immense volume of water have been derived? A great deal of
+ingenuity has been devoted to give an answer to this inquiry. By some it
+has been supposed, that most of the earth's interior is occupied by water,
+and the theorist had only to devise means for forcing it to the surface.
+One does this by the forcible compression of the crust; another, by the
+expansive power of internal heat; another, by the generation of various
+gases through galvanic action. Others have maintained that the
+antediluvian continents were sunk beneath the ocean at that time, though
+such find it hard to tell us why there was a rain of forty days upon land
+that was ready to subside beneath the ocean. Others have resort to a
+comet's impinging against the earth, and throwing the waters of the ocean
+over the land. But they were not aware that comets are mere vapor. Others
+suppose (and surely theirs is the most plausible theory) that the
+elevation of the bed of some ocean, by volcanic agency, threw its waters
+over the adjoining continents, and the mighty wave thus produced would not
+stop till it had swept over all other continents and islands. But in this
+case, it is evident that the continent first overflowed must have been
+left dry before the wave had reached other continents, so that, in fact,
+all parts of the earth would not have been enveloped simultaneously; and
+besides, how unlike such a violent rushing of the waters over the land is
+the scriptural account! In short, so unsatisfactory have been most of the
+theories to account for the water requisite to produce a universal deluge,
+that most writers have resorted, in the end, to miraculous agency to
+obtain it. And that, in fact, is the most satisfactory mode of getting
+over this difficulty, if the Scriptures unequivocally teach the
+universality of the deluge.
+
+A second objection to such a universality is, the difficulty of providing
+for the animals in the ark.
+
+Calculations have indeed been made, which seemed to show that the ark was
+capacious enough to hold the pairs and septuples of all the species. But,
+unfortunately, the number of species assumed to exist by the calculators
+was vastly below the truth. It amounted only to three or four hundred;
+whereas the actual number already described by zoölogists is not less than
+one hundred and fifty thousand; and the probable number existing on the
+globe is not less than half a million. And for the greater part of these
+must provision have been made, since most of them inhabit either the air
+or the dry land. A thousand species of mammalia, six thousand species of
+birds, two thousand species of reptiles, and one hundred and twenty
+thousand species of insects are already described, and must have been
+provided with space and food. Will any one believe this possible, in a
+vessel not more than four hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet
+broad, and forty-five feet high?
+
+The third and most important objection to this universality of the deluge
+is derived from the facts brought to light by modern science, respecting
+the distribution of animals and plants on the globe.
+
+It was the opinion of Linnæus that all animals and plants had their
+commencement in a particular region of the earth, from whence they
+migrated into all other parts of its surface. And had no new facts come to
+light since his day, to change the aspect of the subject, one would
+hesitate long before adopting views opposed to so distinguished a
+naturalist. But new facts, in vast numbers, have been multiplying ever
+since his day, and zoölogists and botanists now almost universally adopt
+the opinion, early promulgated by Dr. Prichard, in his admirable work on
+the Physical History of Man, that there must have been several centres of
+creation, from which the animals and plants radiated only so far as the
+climate and food were adapted to their natures, except a few species
+endowed with the power of accommodating themselves to all climates.
+Certain it is that they are now thus distributed; and it is inevitable
+death for most species to venture beyond certain limits. If tropical
+animals and plants, for instance, were to migrate to the temperate zones,
+and especially to the frigid regions, they could not long survive; and
+almost equally fatal would it be for the animals and plants of high
+latitudes to take up their abode near the equator. But even within the
+tropics we find distinct species of animals and plants on opposite
+continents. Indeed, naturalists reckon a large number of botanical and
+zoölogical districts, or provinces, as they are called, within which they
+find certain peculiar groups of animals and plants, with natures exactly
+adapted to that particular district, but incapable of enduring the
+different climate of adjoining districts. They differ considerably as to
+the number of these districts, because the plants and animals of our globe
+are by no means yet fully described, and because the districts assigned to
+the different classes do not fully coincide; but as to the existence of
+such a distribution, they are of one opinion. The most reliable divisions
+of this kind make twenty-five botanical provinces, and five kingdoms and
+fourteen provinces among animals.[10]
+
+The fact that man, and some of the domesticated animals, and a few plants,
+are found in almost every climate, has, until recently, blinded the eyes
+of naturalists to the manner in which the great mass of animals and plants
+are confined within certain prescribed limits. But so soon as the general
+fact is stated, we immediately recur to abundant proof of its truth. We
+should be disposed to question the veracity of that traveller who should
+visit a new and remote country, and describe its vegetable and animal
+productions as essentially the same as in our own; and all because the
+analogy of other portions of the globe leads us to expect that a new
+geographical province shall present us with a peculiar _fauna_ and
+_flora_; that is, with peculiar groups of animals and plants.
+
+It is obvious that the facts which have been stated have an important
+bearing upon the mode in which the animals were brought together to enter
+the ark, and were afterwards distributed through the earth, if the deluge
+were universal. Certain it is that, without miraculous preservation, they
+could never have been brought together, nor again dispersed. We have
+reason to suppose that the ark was constructed in some part of the
+temperate zone. Now, suppose the animals of the torrid zone at the present
+day to attempt, by natural means, to reach the temperate zone; who does
+not know that nearly all of them must perish? Nor is it any easier to
+conceive how, after the flood, they could have migrated into all
+continents, and islands, and climates, and how each species should have
+found the place exactly fitted to its constitution, as we now find them.
+Indeed, the idea of their collection and dispersion in a natural way is
+altogether too absurd to be believed. And we must, therefore, resort to a
+miracle, or suppose a new creation to have taken place after the deluge,
+or admit the flood to have been limited. If the latter supposition be not
+inconsistent with the Bible, it completely relieves the difficulty. If we
+suppose the limited region of Central Asia, where man existed, to have
+been deluged, and pairs and septuples of the most common animals in that
+region only to have been kept alive in the ark, the entire account will
+harmonize with natural history. The question, then, whether such a view is
+consistent with the Bible, becomes of great interest; and to this point I
+beg leave next to direct your attention.
+
+If we understand the scriptural account to denote a literal universality,
+it is certainly very natural to inquire why such universality was
+necessary, since the deluge is represented as a penal infliction upon man.
+For it seems difficult to believe as some writers have attempted to prove,
+that the human family had become very numerous, or had extended far beyond
+the spot where they were first planted, in less than two thousand years;
+especially when we recollect how few were the children of patriarchs whose
+age amounted to many centuries, and how very probable it is that the
+extreme wickedness of most of the antediluvians tended to their extinction
+rather than their multiplication. Why, then, for the sake of destroying
+man, occupying probably only a limited portion of one continent, was it
+necessary to depopulate all other continents and islands, inhabited only
+by irresponsible animals, who had no connection with man? If the
+Scriptures unequivocally declare that such was the fact, we are bound to
+believe it on divine testimony. But if their language admits of a
+different interpretation, it seems reasonable to adopt it.
+
+And here I am willing to acknowledge that the language of the Bible on
+this subject seems, at first view, to teach the universality of the flood,
+unequivocally. _The waters_, say they, _prevailed exceedingly upon the
+earth, and all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were
+covered._ Again: _Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the
+earth to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under
+heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die._ If such language
+be interpreted by the same rules which we should apply to a modern
+composition, it could in no way be understood to teach a limited deluge or
+a partial destruction. But in respect to this ancient record, two
+considerations are to be carefully weighed.
+
+In the first place, the terms employed are not to be judged of by the
+state of knowledge in the nineteenth century, but by its state among the
+people to whom this revelation was first addressed. When the earth was
+spoken of to that people, (the ancient Jews,) they could not have
+understood it to embrace a much wider region than that inhabited by man,
+because they could not have had any idea of what lay beyond those limits.
+And so of the phrase _heaven_; it must have been coëxtensive with the
+inhabited earth only. And when it was said that all animals would die by
+the deluge, they could not have supposed the declaration to embrace
+creatures far beyond the dwellings of men, because they knew nothing of
+such regions. Why, then, may we not attach the same limited meaning to
+these declarations? Why should we suppose that the Holy Spirit used terms,
+adapted, indeed, to the astronomy and geography of the nineteenth century,
+but conveying only a false idea to those to whom they were addressed?
+
+In the second place, in all ages and nations, and especially among
+ancient ones, "universal terms are often used to signify only a very large
+amount in number or quantity."--Dr. Smith, _Scrip. and Geol._ p. 212, 4th
+ed.--The Hebrew [Hebrew], (_kol_,) the [Greek: pas], and the English
+_all_, are alike employed in this manner, to signify _many_. There are
+some very striking cases of this sort in the Bible. Thus in Genesis it is
+said that _all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn, because
+the famine was sore in all lands_. This certainly could apply only to the
+well-known countries around Egypt; for transportation would have been
+impossible to the remotest parts of the habitable globe. In the account of
+the plagues that came upon Egypt, it is said that _the hail smote every
+herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field_; but, in a few days
+afterwards, it is said of the locusts that _they did eat every herb of the
+land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left_. _This day_,
+said God to the Israelites, while yet in their journeyings, _will I begin
+to put the fear of thee and the dread of thee upon the face of the nations
+under all the heavens_. But it is obvious that only the nations contiguous
+to the Israelites, chiefly the Canaanites, are here meant. In the New
+Testament, it is said that, at the time of the pentecost, there were
+dwelling at Jerusalem _Jews, devout men, out of every nation under
+heaven_. Yet, in the enumeration, which follows this passage, of the
+different places from which those Jews had come, we find only a region
+extending from Italy to Persia, and from Egypt to the Black Sea. It could
+have been a district of only about that size which Paul meant, when he
+said to the Colossians that the _gospel was preached to every creature
+which is under heaven_. In the First Book of Kings, it is said that _all
+the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom_;--a passage
+which requires as much limitation as the others above quoted. A similar
+mode of expression is employed by Christ, when he says of the queen of
+Sheba that she came from _the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the
+wisdom of Solomon_; for her residence, being probably on the Arabian Gulf,
+could not have been more than twelve or fourteen hundred miles from
+Jerusalem. A like figurative mode of speech is employed in the description
+of Peter's vision, in which he saw a great sheet let down to the earth,
+_wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild
+beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air_. Who will suppose,
+since it is wholly unnecessary for the object, which was to convince Peter
+that the Mosaic distinction into clean and unclean beasts was abolished,
+that he here had a vision of all the species of terrestrial vertebral
+animals on the globe?
+
+It would be easy to multiply similar passages. In many of them we should
+find that the phrase _all the earth_ signifies the land of Palestine; in a
+few, the Chaldean empire; and in one, that of Alexander of Macedon.
+
+Now, so similar is the phraseology of the passages just quoted to that
+descriptive of the deluge, so universal are the terms, while we are sure
+that their meaning must be limited, that we are abundantly justified in
+considering the deluge as limited, if other parts of the Bible, or the
+facts of natural history, require such a limitation. Indeed, so obviously
+analogous are the passages quoted to the Mosaic account of the deluge,
+that distinguished writers have regarded the deluge as limited, long
+before geology existed, or natural history had learned the manner in which
+organic life is distributed on the globe; nay, at a period when
+naturalists, with Linnæus at their head, supposed animals and plants to
+have proceeded from one centre:--an opinion that seemed to sustain the
+notion of the universality of the flood. The inference, then, that it was
+limited, must have been made chiefly on exegetical grounds.
+
+"I cannot see," says Bishop Stillingfleet, more than a century ago, "any
+urgent necessity from the Scripture to assert that the flood did spread
+over all the surface of the earth. That all mankind, those in the ark
+excepted, were destroyed by it, is most certain, according to the
+Scriptures. The flood was universal as to mankind; but from thence follows
+no necessity at all of asserting the universality of it as to the globe of
+the earth, unless it be sufficiently proved that the whole earth was
+peopled before the flood, which I despair of ever seeing
+proved."--_Origines Sacræ_, B. III. chap. 4, p. 337, ed. 1709.
+
+Matthew Poole, well known for his valuable and extensive commentaries on
+the Bible, thus expresses himself: "It is not to be supposed that the
+entire globe of the earth was covered with water. Where was the need of
+overwhelming those regions in which there were no human beings? It would
+be highly unreasonable to suppose that mankind had so increased before the
+deluge as to have penetrated to all the corners of the earth. It is,
+indeed, not probable that they had extended themselves beyond the limits
+of Syria and Mesopotamia. Absurd it would be to affirm that the effects of
+the punishment inflicted upon men alone applied to places in which there
+were no men. If, then, we should entertain the belief that not so much as
+the hundredth part of the globe was overspread with water, still the
+deluge would be universal, because the extirpation took effect upon all
+the part of the globe which was inhabited. If we take this ground, the
+difficulties which some have raised about the deluge fall away as
+inapplicable, and mere cavils; and irreligious persons have no reason left
+them for doubting the truth of the Holy Scriptures."--_Synopsis on Gen._
+vii. 19.
+
+Poole wrote nearly two centuries ago. In more recent times, we find
+authorities equally eminent for learning and candor adopting the same
+views. "Interpreters," says Dathe, "do not agree whether the deluge
+inundated the whole earth, or only those regions then inhabited. I adopt
+the latter opinion. The phrase _all_ does not prove the inundation to have
+been universal. It appears that in many places [Hebrew] (_kol_) is to be
+understood as limited to the thing or place spoken of. Hence all the
+animals said to have been introduced into the ark were only those of the
+region inundated. So, also, only those mountains are to be understood,
+which were surmounted by the waters."--_Pentateuchus a Dathio_, p. 63.
+
+But no modern writer has treated this subject with so much candor and
+ability--and the same may be said of his whole work on the "Relation of
+the Holy Scriptures to some Parts of Geological Science"--as Dr. John Pye
+Smith. We can say of him, what we can say of very few men, that he is
+accurately acquainted with all the branches of the subject. Eminent as a
+theologian and a philologist, and fully possessed of all the facts in
+geology and natural history, he gives us his opinion, not as a young man,
+fond of novelties, but in the full maturity of judgment and of years.
+"From these instances," says he, "of the scriptural idiom in the
+application of phraseology similar to that in the narrative concerning the
+flood, I humbly think that those terms do not oblige us to understand a
+literal universality; so that we are exonerated from some otherwise
+insuperable difficulties in natural history and geology. If so much of the
+earth was overflowed as was occupied by the human race, both the physical
+and the moral ends of that awful visitation were answered."--_Scrip. and
+Geol._ p. 214, 4th ed.
+
+"Let us now take the seat of the antediluvian population," continues Dr.
+Smith, "to have been in Western Asia, in which a large district, even at
+the present day, lies considerably below the level of the sea. It must not
+be forgotten that six weeks of continued rain would not give an amount of
+water forty times that which fell on the first, or a subsequent day, for
+evaporation would be continually carrying up the water to be condensed,
+and to fall again; so that the same mass of water would return many times.
+If, then, in addition to the tremendous rain, we suppose an elevation of
+the bed of the Persian and Indian Seas, or a subsidence of the inhabited
+land towards the south, we shall have sufficient cause in the hands of
+almighty justice for submerging the district, covering its hills, and
+destroying all living beings within its limits, except those whom divine
+mercy preserved in the ark. The drawing off of the waters would be
+effected by a return of the bed of the sea to a lower level, or by the
+elevation of some tracts of land, which would leave channels and slopes
+for the larger part of the water to flow back into the Indian Ocean, while
+the lower part remained a great lake, or an inland sea, the Caspian."--p.
+217.
+
+It is a circumstance favoring the above suggestions of Dr. Smith, that
+there is a tract of country ten degrees of latitude in breadth, embracing
+most of Asia Minor, ancient Armenia and Georgia, and part of Persia,
+extending at least as far east as the Caspian Sea, and probably much
+farther, in which volcanic agency has been in operation at a comparatively
+recent period. I am not aware that we have evidence of any eruption of
+lava in those regions, within historic times, except, perhaps, some mud
+volcanoes in the Caucasian range. The Katekekaumene, or Burnt District, of
+Asia Minor, and Mount Ararat, probably experienced eruptions at a date
+somewhat earlier, though at a comparatively recent date. Yet important
+changes of level may have been the result of volcanic agency in Central
+Asia, as recently as the Noachian deluge, without leaving any traces which
+would be obvious, without more careful observation than has yet been made
+in those regions. Especially might a subsidence of the surface have taken
+place, and not have left any striking evidence of its occurrence. Still
+more difficult would it now be to discover the marks of vertical movements
+in the bed of the Indian Ocean at the time of the deluge.
+
+I will venture to add another suggestion. If the bed of the Indian Ocean
+was uplifted by volcanic matter, struggling to get vent, vapor enough
+might have been liberated to account, on natural principles, for the forty
+days' rain of the deluge. For it is well known that in volcanic eruptions
+drenching rains are often the result of the sudden condensation of the
+aqueous vapor.
+
+We are here met, however, by a serious objection to the hypothesis, which
+gives only a limited extent to the deluge. If the present Mount Ararat, in
+Armenia, is the mountain on which the ark first rested, a deluge which
+covered its top must, by its flux and reflux, have overspread nearly all
+other portions of the globe, for that mountain rises seventeen thousand
+seven hundred feet above the ocean. But we are informed by Jerome, that
+the name Ararat was given generally to the mountains of Armenia; (indeed,
+that is the meaning of the name;) and long before geology existed,
+Shuckford suggested that some spot farther east corresponds better with
+the scriptural account of the place where the ark rested. For it is said
+of the families of the sons of Noah, that, as they journeyed from the
+east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. Now, Shinar, or Babylonia,
+lies nearly south of the Armenian Ararat, and the probability, therefore,
+is, that the true Ararat, from whose vicinity the descendants of Noah
+probably emigrated, lay much farther to the south. Again, if the ark
+rested upon the present Ararat, it is impossible, except by a miracle,
+that those who came out of it could have reached the plain below; for so
+exceedingly difficult of access is it, that it is doubtful whether, since
+the deluge, any one ever succeeded in reaching its summit, till the year
+1829. Indeed, it is an article in the creed of the Armenian church that
+its ascent is impossible. That the almost universal tradition of Eastern
+nations should have fixed upon that mountain as the resting-place of the
+ark is not strange, considering that there is no mountain in all Asia so
+striking to behold.
+
+But upon the whole, the probability is strong that some other elevation,
+less lofty and steep, was the radiating point of the postdiluvian races of
+man and other animals. The fact of Noah's sending forth a dove from the
+ark, which came back in the evening with an olive leaf in her mouth,
+strengthens the preceding view. For neither upon the present Ararat, nor
+around it, does the olive grow, because it is too cold. Indeed, all its
+upper part is covered with perpetual ice. But if the Ararat of Scripture
+lay nearer the tropics, the olive might find upon it a congenial spot. A
+distinguished botanist adduced the fact about the olive as evidence
+against the Bible. But how easily refuted, if the theory now under
+examination be true!
+
+In favor of this supposition, I might have urged another consideration,
+which, in my mind, has no little weight. It is impossible that the waters
+of the deluge should have covered the earth for a year, without destroying
+nearly all the existing vegetation. Yet nothing is said of the
+preservation of seeds in the ark; and if they had been preserved,
+certainly nothing but miraculous power, and that of the most remarkable
+kind, could have scattered them through the remotest continents and
+islands, so as to form distinct botanical districts, such as have been
+described. The olive, from which a leaf was plucked by the dove sent out
+of the ark, was probably situated upon elevated ground, and where it
+remained but a short time beneath the waters, and therefore did not lose
+its vitality.
+
+It is probable that the theory which makes the deluge limited in extent
+will meet with more favor than any other, with candid and intelligent men,
+to meet the suggested difficulties of the case. But some, who are
+unwilling to abandon the idea of the universality of the deluge, avoid
+these difficulties by supposing a new creation to have taken place at that
+epoch. That such a new creation occurred at the commencement of several
+geological periods can hardly admit a doubt. And a presumption is hence
+derived in favor of a similar act at the beginning of the postdiluvian
+period, preceded as it was, like the other geological periods, by an
+almost entire destruction of organic life.
+
+The principal objection to this view is, that no notice is taken of such a
+new creation in the Bible. And it would seem that an event of so much
+importance would hardly be passed in silence; and yet the bringing into
+existence new races of the inferior animals and plants could have but
+little bearing upon the object of revelation, which respects almost
+exclusively the spiritual condition of man. One, however, can hardly see
+why pairs and septuples of the animals, even in a limited district, need
+to have been preserved in the ark, if a new creation were to follow the
+coming catastrophe; nor why the creation of the antediluvian animals, so
+soon to perish, should have been so particularly described, while no
+notice was taken of the postdiluvian races, which were to occupy the earth
+so much longer time.
+
+A third theory has been suggested by some, embracing both those which have
+been described. They admit the deluge to have been of limited extent, but
+suppose this limitation not to be sufficient to explain all the facts of
+revelation and of science, without a new creation also, at the
+commencement of the postdiluvian period. They suppose, indeed, that
+geology and natural history teach the occasional extinction of species,
+and the creation of others, even in our own times. And in regard to this
+latter view, it may at least be said that it is not contradicted by the
+Bible. Nay, one would almost suppose that the Psalmist were describing
+such a state of things when he says, _Thou hidest thy face; they_
+[animals] _are troubled. Thou takest away their breath; they die and
+return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit; they are created; and
+thou renewest the face of the earth._ The resemblance between this
+language and that employed to describe the original creation is striking.
+Indeed, the same word (_bawraw_) is used.
+
+Without attempting to decide which of these theories has the highest claim
+upon our belief, it is sufficient to remark, that either of them
+reconciles the facts of geology and natural history with the inspired
+record; nor does the adoption of either of them require us to put a forced
+and unnatural construction upon the language of the Bible. Even then, if
+we should admit that a construction agreeing with these theories is not
+the most natural meaning, yet if the facts of natural history
+unequivocally require such an interpretation to harmonize the Bible with
+nature, it is assuredly one of those cases where science must be allowed
+to modify our exegesis of Scripture. In the view of sound philosophy, such
+modification at once disarms scepticism of its cavils.
+
+With two remarks of a practical character, I close the discussion of this
+subject.
+
+First. The history of opinions respecting the Noachian deluge furnishes a
+salutary lesson to those employed in the examination of analogous
+subjects. We have seen these opinions assume almost every possible shape;
+yet, until recently they have all been maintained with the most positive
+and dogmatic assurance; and each particular theory has been regarded as
+involving the essence of the Bible, as being the _articulus stantis vel
+cadentis ecclesiæ_, and whoever denied it virtually denied the Bible. But
+all reasonable and truly scientific men are fast coming to the conclusion,
+that the deluge has had very little to do with the present configuration
+of the globe, and that it is doubtful whether any trace of its occurrence
+will ever be found in nature; so that, on the one hand, all the alarms and
+denunciations of misguided Christians on this subject might have been
+spared; and, on the other hand, if the hasty exultation of the infidel, in
+his supposed discovery of discrepancy between nature and Moses, had been
+suppressed until the subject was understood, he would not have experienced
+the mortification of entire defeat.
+
+It is, indeed, very humiliating to human nature to find so many of the
+wise, the talented, and the religious so confident and zealous, yet so
+erroneous. But it is a salutary lesson. It shows us the vast importance of
+being thoroughly acquainted with a subject before we dogmatize upon it. It
+should not, indeed, discourage us, and produce a universal scepticism on
+all subjects not admitting a mathematical demonstration; but it should
+make us cautious in examining the grounds of our conclusions, and modest
+in maintaining them.
+
+Secondly. It is interesting to observe how, amid all the diversities and
+fluctuations of opinion on this subject, the Bible has remained
+unaffected.
+
+The infidel felt confident that the arrows which he drew from this quiver
+would certainly pierce Christianity to the heart. But they rebounded from
+her adamantine breastplate, blunted and broken; and no one will have the
+courage to pick them up and hurl them again. The physico-theological
+school at one time felt certain, that no other theory but an entire
+dissolution of the crust of the globe at the deluge, could possibly be
+made consistent with the Bible. More recently, it has been supposed
+equally necessary, to reconcile geology and revelation, that we should
+admit the antediluvian continents to have sunk beneath the ocean at that
+time. Still later, it has been thought quite certain that the surface of
+the earth bore the most striking marks of a universal deluge, probably
+identical with that of Scripture. At length, the extreme opinion is now
+generally reached, that no trace of the deluge of Noah remains. And
+equally wide and well established is the belief that, amid all these
+fluctuations of theory, the Bible has stood as an immovable rock amid the
+conflicting waves. The final result is, that we have only slightly to
+modify the interpretation of the Mosaic account, in conformity with the
+laws of language, to make it entirely consistent with the notion that all
+traces of the deluge have disappeared. Thus, in the midst of human
+opinions, veering to every point of the compass, the Bible has ever
+remained fixed to one point. Not so with false systems of religion. The
+Hindoo religion contains a false astronomy, as well as anatomy and
+physiology; and the Mohammedan Koran distinctly advances the Ptolemaic
+hypothesis of the universe; so that you have only to prove these religions
+false in science in order to destroy their claim to infallibility. But the
+Bible, stating only facts, does not interfere with, neither is affected
+by, the hypotheses of philosophy. Often, indeed, in past ages, have men
+set up their hypotheses as oracles in the temple of nature, to be
+consulted rather than the Bible. But, like Dagon before the ark, they have
+fallen to the earth, and been broken in pieces before the Word of God;
+while this has ever stood and ever shall stand, in sublime simplicity and
+undecaying strength, amid the wrecks of every false system of philosophy
+and religion.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE V.
+
+THE WORLD'S SUPPOSED ETERNITY.
+
+
+In our attempts thus far to elucidate the religion of geology, our
+attention has been directed to those points where this science has been
+supposed to conflict with revelation; and I trust it has been made
+manifest that the collision was rather with the interpretation than with
+the meaning of Scripture; and that, in fact, geology, instead of coming
+into collision with the Bible, affords us important aid in understanding
+it aright. We now advance to a part of the subject which has a more direct
+bearing upon natural religion. And here, if I mistake not, we shall find
+the illustration of religious truth from this science, as we might expect,
+more direct and palpable.
+
+The subject to which I wish first to call your attention is the world's
+eternity, or the eternal existence of matter. This was the universal
+belief of the philosophers of antiquity, and, indeed, of most reasoning
+minds where the Bible has not been known. The grand argument by which this
+opinion was sustained is the well-known _ex nihilo nihil fit_, (nothing
+produces nothing.) Hence men inferred that not even the Deity could create
+matter out of nothing; and, therefore, it must be eternal. Most of the
+ancient philosophers, however, did not hence infer the non-existence of
+the Deity. But they endeavored to reconcile the existence of eternal
+matter with an eternal Spirit. They supposed both to be self-existent and
+coëxistent. From this rational thinking principle they supposed all good
+to be derived; while from the material irrational principle all evil
+sprung. Plato taught that God, of his own will, united himself with
+matter, although he did not create it, and out of it produced the present
+world; so that it was proper to speak of the world as created, although
+the matter was from eternity. Aristotle and Zeno taught that God's union
+with matter was necessary; and hence they considered the world eternal. In
+the opinion of Epicurus, God was entirely separated from matter, which
+consisted of innumerable atoms, floating about from eternity, like dust in
+the air, until at last they assumed the present form of the world.
+
+In modern times, the belief in the eternity of matter has usually been
+connected with, or made the basis of, a refined and popular system of
+atheism. I refer to the pantheism of Spinoza. He maintains that there
+exists in the universe but one substance, variously modified, whose two
+principal attributes are infinite extension and infinite intelligence.
+This substance, the [Greek: to pan] of Spinoza, he regarded as God; and
+hence his system is called _Pantheism_. Under various modifications, it
+has been adopted by many sceptical minds, and is, undoubtedly, the most
+common and plausible system of atheism extant. Other modern writers, among
+whom may be mentioned that anomalous philosopher Bayle, have advocated the
+views of the ancients respecting the eternity of matter.
+
+It may seem strange, but it is true, that some Christian philosophers and
+divines have been, in ancient and modern times, the advocates of the
+eternity of matter. The ancient Christians adopted it from Plato. Thus we
+find Justin Martyr maintaining that God formed the world from an eternal,
+unorganized material. And the schoolmen, who followed Aristotle, taught
+that "God had created the world from eternity." On this ground, even some
+Protestant theologians have asserted that it was absurd to speak of an
+eternal God who is not an eternal Creator.
+
+A principle which has thus been adopted by so many acute minds
+unenlightened by revelation, and by some who possessed that divine
+testimony, must be sustained by some plausible arguments. The principal
+one relied on is, that the changes which are going on in the material
+world are proved to be only transmutations, which follow one another in
+series that return into themselves, and which may, therefore, have been
+going on from eternity; and if this be admitted, it is as easy to suppose
+matter to be self-sustained, and to have fallen into its present order of
+itself, as to suppose the interference of an infinite Spirit. "How do we
+know," says Dr. Chalmers, in stating the atheistic argument, "that the
+world is a consequent at all? Is there any greater absurdity in supposing
+it to have existed, as it now is, at any specified point of time,
+throughout the millions of ages that are past, than that it should so
+exist at this moment? Does what we suppose might have been then, imply any
+greater absurdity, than what we actually see to be at present? Now, might
+not the same question be carried back to any point or period of duration,
+however remote? or, in other words, might we not dispense with a beginning
+for the world altogether?" "For aught we can know _a priori_," says Hume,
+"matter may contain the source or spring of order originally within itself
+as well as mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that
+the several elements, from an internal, unknown cause, may fall into the
+most exquisite arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas, in the
+great universal mind, from a like internal cause, fall into that
+arrangement. If this material world rests upon a similar ideal world,
+this ideal world must rest upon some other, and so on without end. It
+were better, therefore, never to look beyond the present material world.
+By supposing it to contain the principle of its order within itself, we
+really assert it to be God; and the sooner we arrive at that divine Being,
+so much the better."
+
+Now, in what manner have these ingenious arguments been met? Until quite
+recently, no one has supposed that any light on this subject could be
+derived from geology. Indeed, even now, by many, that science is regarded
+as favoring the idea of the world's eternity. Neither has it been thought
+that, on a question of natural theology, like this, it was proper to
+appeal to the Bible. Philosophers and divines, however, have attempted to
+reply to these arguments, irrespective of geology and revelation; and they
+have generally convinced themselves that they have been successful. But to
+my mind, I must confess, this has always appeared the weakest spot in
+natural religion. Some of the arguments to prove the world not eternal do,
+indeed, appear, at first statement, very profound; but they rather silence
+than convince; and the longer we reflect upon them, the more apt are we to
+doubt their force.
+
+And here I am constrained to bear testimony to the masterly manner in
+which this subject has been treated by Dr. Chalmers. Perceiving that the
+defences of natural religion on this subject were weak, in spite of much
+show of strength, he has laid out his giant force of intellect in clearing
+away the rubbish and building a rampart of rock. His remarkable skill in
+seizing upon and bringing out prominently the great principles of a
+difficult subject, and turning them round and round till they fill every
+eye, is here most happily exerted.
+
+Let us now proceed, in the first place, to examine the arguments that have
+been adduced to prove the non-eternity of the world, independent of
+geology and revelation; and in the second place, to derive from these two
+sources of evidence the true ground on which that proposition rests.
+
+The first supposed proof that the world has not eternally existed is
+derived from what is called the _a priori_ argument for the existence of
+the Deity, originally proposed by the monk Anselmus, and afterwards more
+fully illustrated in England by Dr. Samuel Clarke. Take the following
+brief summary of this argument, as applied to the eternity of matter, in
+the words of Dr. Crombie.
+
+"Whatever has existed from eternity, independent and without any external
+cause, must be self-existent. Whatever is self-existent must exist
+necessarily, by an absolute necessity in the nature of the thing. This is
+also self-evident. It follows, therefore, that unless the material world
+exist necessarily, by an absolute necessity in its own nature, so that it
+must be a contradiction to suppose it not to exist, it cannot be
+independent and eternal. In order to disprove this absolute necessity, he
+[Dr. Clarke] reasoned thus: If matter be supposed to exist necessarily,
+then in that necessary existence is included the power of gravitation, or
+it is not. If not, then in a world merely material, and in which no
+intelligent being presides, there never could have been any motion. But if
+the power of gravitation be included in the pretended necessary existence
+of matter, then it follows necessarily, that there must be a vacuum; it
+follows, likewise, that matter is not a necessary being. For if a vacuum
+actually be, then it is plainly more than possible for matter not to be."
+
+Is it not passing strange that such a dreamy argumentation as this--and it
+is a fair sample of Dr. Clarke's extended work on the existence of the
+Deity--should have been regarded as sound logic by many of the acutest
+minds, and that a majority even of the ablest metaphysicians, up almost
+to the present day, should have felt satisfied with it? A few minds,
+indeed, long ago perceived its fallacy, among whom was Alexander Pope, who
+thus sarcastically describes it:--
+
+  "Be that my task, replies a gloomy Clarke,
+  Sworn foe to mystery, yet divinely dark.
+  Let others creep by timid steps and slow,
+  On plain experience lay foundation low,
+  By common sense to common notions bred,
+  And last to nature's cause through nature led,
+  All-seeing in thy mists, we need no guide,
+  Mother of arrogance, and source of pride!
+  We nobly take the high _priori_ road,
+  And reason downward till we doubt of God."
+                                          _Dunciad_, Book IV.
+
+It is impossible, on this occasion, to go into a formal refutation of this
+famous argument. But this is unnecessary; since, as Dr. Chalmers says, it
+"has fallen into utter disesteem and desuetude." Indeed, the language of
+Dr. Thomas Brown on this subject is not too severe, when he says, that he
+"conceives the abstract arguments that have been adduced to show that it
+is impossible for matter to have existed from eternity, by reasoning on
+what has been termed necessary existence, and the incompatibility of this
+necessary existence with the qualities of matter, to be relics of the mere
+verbal logic of the schools, as little capable of producing conviction as
+any of the wildest and most absurd of the technical scholastic reasonings
+on the properties, or supposed properties, of entity and nonentity."
+
+In the second place, it has been argued with much apparent plausibility,
+by Dr. Paley, that wherever we find a complicated organic structure,
+adapted to produce beneficial results, its origin must be sought beyond
+itself; and since the world abounds with such organisms, it cannot be
+eternal; that is, the mere existence of animals and plants proves their
+non-eternity.
+
+Now, without asserting that there is no force in this argument, I have two
+remarks to make upon it. The first is, to quote the reply to it, which
+such a writer as David Hume has given, in language which I have just
+repeated. "For aught we can know _a priori_," says he, "matter may
+contain the source or spring of order originally within itself, as well as
+mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that the several
+elements, from an internal unknown cause, may fall into the most exquisite
+arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas in the great universal
+mind, from a like internal unknown cause, fall into that arrangement. To
+say that the different ideas, which compose the reason of the Supreme,
+fall into order of themselves, and by their own nature, is really to talk
+without any precise meaning. If it has a meaning, I would fain know why it
+is not as good sense to say, that the parts of the material world fall
+into order of themselves and by their own nature. Can the one opinion be
+intelligible while the other is not so?"
+
+Fairly to meet this reasoning of the prince of sceptics is not an
+achievement of dulness or ignorance. In order to do it triumphantly, we
+want, what Dr. Paley could not find, a distinct example of the creation of
+numerous organic beings by some cause independent of themselves. I say, he
+could not find such an example; for on a question of natural theology, he
+did not think it proper to appeal to the Bible; nor had geology, when he
+wrote, revealed her astonishing record on this subject. But as it is now
+developed, it puts an end to all controversy as to the origin of the
+organic world.
+
+My second remark, however, on this argument is, that even admitting its
+correctness, it only proves the commencement of organic natures, but does
+not show that the matter of which they are composed may not have been
+eternal.
+
+In the third place, an argument against the eternal existence of matter
+has been derived by Sir John Herschel, one of the most distinguished
+natural philosophers of the day, from the atomic constitution of bodies,
+as made known to us by chemistry. This science makes it certainly
+probable, that even the infinitesimal particles of matter have a definite
+and peculiar shape, and size, and weight, in each of the elements. "Now,"
+says this writer, "when we see a great number of things precisely alike,
+we do not believe this similarity to have originated, except from a common
+principle independent of them." "The discoveries alluded to effectually
+destroy the idea of an external self-existent matter, by giving to each of
+its atoms the essential characters at once of a manufactured article and a
+subordinate agent."
+
+To this argument the atheist's reply would be essentially the same as that
+last considered; and in one respect it would even be more forcible,
+because the atomic constitution of bodies, being less complex, is less
+obviously the result of foreign agency, and may more easily be regarded as
+the necessary property of eternal matter. On the other hand, however, it
+is more obviously an attribute of the original constitution of matter than
+organic structure; and if it does require an independent agency for its
+production, it seems difficult to conceive of the existence of matter in a
+previous state. So that, in this point of view, this argument is more
+forcible than the last; and it is no small evidence that it has real
+strength, that it comes to us from one of the most acute and impartial
+minds in Europe.
+
+In the fourth place, it is maintained that the idea of an eternal
+succession, or chain of being, which the atheistic advocates of the
+world's eternity defend, is highly absurd, and even mathematically false.
+
+The atheist mainly relies upon this notion of an eternal series of things;
+for if he can defend that opinion, he will overturn the main argument of
+the Theist for the divine existence, viz., that from design in the works
+of creation. On this ground, therefore, he should be fairly met. Has he
+been so met by the reasoning that has usually been employed to refute his
+opinion? As a fair sample of it, I will here quote the leading points of
+the argument, as given by one of the most popular and able theologians of
+our country. "It is asserted by atheists," says Dr. Dwight, "that there
+has been an eternal series of things. The absurdity of this assertion may
+be shown in many ways."
+
+"First. Each individual in a series is a unit. But every collection of
+units, however great, is with intuitive certainty numerable, and,
+therefore, cannot be infinite."
+
+"Secondly. Every individual in the series (take for example a series of
+men) had a beginning. But a collection of beings must, however long the
+series, have had a beginning. This, likewise, is intuitively evident."
+
+"Thirdly. It is justly observed by the learned and acute Dr. Bentley, that
+in the supposed infinite series, as the number of individual men is
+alleged to be infinite, the number of their eyes must have been twice, the
+number of their fingers ten times, and the number of the hairs on their
+heads many thousand times, as great as the number of men."
+
+"Fourthly. It is also observed by the same excellent writer, that all
+these generations of men were once present."--_Dwight's Theology_, vol.
+ii. p. 24.
+
+How is it possible that such reasoning should have satisfied logical and
+philosophical minds? Would it not be equally good to disprove the
+demonstrated principles of mathematics which relate to infinite
+quantities? For in mathematics an infinite series of units is a familiar
+phrase; and it is also common to speak of one infinite quantity as twice,
+or ten times, or many thousand times, greater than another, and that, too,
+in just such cases as the one referred to above.
+
+True, mathematical infinites are in some respects different from
+metaphysical infinites; but it is the former that belong to this argument,
+since the supposed infinite succession of organic beings forms a
+mathematical series.
+
+An acute writer in our own country, however, has recently attempted to
+show that "there can be no number actually infinite, and therefore no
+infinite number of generations."[11] That the mathematician cannot
+actually present before us the whole of an infinite series, is indeed most
+certain; for such, power belongs only to an Infinite Being. But does the
+fact that man's faculties are limited, prove that an arithmetical process
+cannot be carried on from eternity to eternity? Because man cannot put
+upon paper the series of numbers representing the miles in infinite space,
+or the hours in infinite duration, is there, therefore, no such thing as
+infinite space, or infinite duration? Certainly not, if this reasoning be
+correct.
+
+In spite, however, of such mathematical metaphysics, is it not an
+intelligible statement of the atheist, when he says of any generation of
+men and animals in past time, that there was another that preceded it and
+unless you have matter-of-fact proof to the contrary, how will you
+disprove this assertion? You may show him that practically he can never
+exhibit a series, even of numbers, extending eternally backward; but he
+may, in return, challenge you to put your finger upon the first link of
+the chain of organic nature. If you attempt it, he will reply that other
+links preceded the one you have named, and that, as far as you choose to
+run backward, he can go farther; in other words, by the very supposition
+which he makes, he excludes a beginning to organic nature, and, therefore,
+all reasoning which assumes such a beginning is of no force against his
+conclusions. If a series which may thus be extended indefinitely backward
+be not infinite in a metaphysical sense, it is to common sense.
+
+Let me not be thought to be an advocate in any sense for the unsupported
+notion of an infinite series of organic beings. But the question is,
+whether those who, in spite of common sense, have maintained this opinion,
+have been fairly refuted by such metaphysical evasions as I have quoted.
+The truth is, that, in order to end this dispute, the Theist needs to
+bring forward at least one example in which the commencement of some race
+of animals can be fairly pointed out; and I know not where such an example
+can be found, save in the Bible and geology.
+
+In the fifth place, the changing state of the world has been regarded as
+incompatible with the world's eternity. This argument is thus stated by
+Bishop Sumner: "If the universe itself is the first eternal being, its
+existence is necessary, as metaphysicians speak; and it must be possessed
+of all those qualities which are inseparable from necessary existence. Of
+this nature are immutability and perfection. For change is the attribute
+of imperfection, and imperfection is incompatible with that Being, which
+is, as the hypothesis affirms, independent, and, therefore, can have no
+source of imperfection. To suppose, therefore, of the first independent
+Being, that it could have existed otherwise than it is, is no less
+contrary to the idea of necessity, with which we set out, than to suppose
+it not to exist at all."
+
+This reasoning is not destitute of plausibility. For there is scarcely any
+lesson more forcibly impressed on short-lived man than the mutability of
+the world. And it is indeed true that change is its most striking
+attribute. But when we look at the subject philosophically, we find that
+all this mutability is consistent with the most perfect ultimate
+stability; nay, that the change is essential to secure the stability.
+Apart from what revelation and geology teach, these changes in nature form
+cycles, which, like those in astronomy, are perfectly consistent with the
+eternal permanence of the general system to which they belong. In the
+motions of the heavenly bodies, a considerable amount of irregularity and
+oscillation about a mean state does not tend to the ruin, but rather to
+the preservation, of the system, provided the anomalies do not extend
+beyond certain limits. It is just so with other changes that are going on
+around us. All of them are, in fact, as much regulated by mathematical
+laws as the perturbations of the heavenly bodies; although those laws are
+more complicated and difficult to bring out in distinct formulæ in the
+former case than in the latter. Yet even in astronomy, it is not many
+years since the mutual disturbances among the heavenly bodies were
+supposed to be the certain precursors of ruin to the system. It was not
+till the famous problem of the three bodies was solved, by the use of the
+most refined mathematical analysis, that astronomers learnt the true
+operation of those causes of disturbance among the heavenly bodies which
+exist in their mutual attractions. It was then found that, so balanced are
+they in their action, and so narrow their limits, that they can never
+affect the stability of the system; or, rather, they secure that
+stability. It is, indeed, true, that when changes in nature go on
+increasing or decreasing in magnitude indefinitely, they clearly indicate
+a beginning and an end to the system to which they belong. And it was on
+this principle that the earlier astronomers predicted that the celestial
+perturbations would ultimately bring the universe to a state of chaos.
+They found, for instance, that the moon's orbit was decreasing in size,
+and they inferred that, ultimately, that luminary must come to the earth.
+But they now know it to be mathematically certain that, after a long
+period, the diminution of the orbit will cease; it will begin to expand,
+and go on expanding,-until the opposite point of oscillation is reached,
+when it will again diminish; and in this manner, if God's will permit,
+perform its eternal round. Just so it is with all the irregularities of
+the solar system.
+
+              "Yonder starry sphere
+  Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels,
+  Resembles nearest mazes intricate,
+  Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular;
+  Then most, when most irregular they seem."
+
+And so it is with all the natural changes which we witness around us, and
+with all which science shows us to have taken place on the globe,
+excepting some which geology discloses, and perhaps one which astronomy
+renders probable. Let us look at some of those changes which the argument
+under consideration regards as inconsistent with the world's eternity.
+
+Nearly all the changes in nature with which we are acquainted belong to
+three classes,--the mechanical, the chemical, and the organic.
+Astronomical changes are purely mechanical; and hence the ease with which
+they may be calculated by mathematics. The universal system of death,
+which reigns over all animals and plants, is the result of organic laws;
+and it is this which probably gives to man the strongest impression of the
+transient nature of sublunary things. But just consider the antagonist
+agencies to this universal destroyer. I refer to the equally universal
+system of reproduction, and to the law by which permanence of species is
+secured. The consequence is, that, while every individual animal and plant
+dies, the species survives. In the whole history of the animals and plants
+now existing on the globe, only eight or ten certain examples are on
+record in which a species has become extinct, and those are some large
+birds, such as the dinornis and dodo, once inhabitants of the Isle of
+Bourbon and New Zealand. Every one of the human family, every elephant,
+every ox, every lion, &c., die, but man, as a species, still lives; and so
+does the elephant, the ox, and the lion; and most obviously this is a law
+of nature. How easy, then, for the atheist to evade the force of your
+argument against the world's eternity, drawn from the ravages of death! He
+has only to suppose the havoc of individuals by death always to have been
+repaired by the equivalent operation of reproduction, and that these two
+agencies have been balanced against each other from eternity; and how will
+you prove this impossible, except by the absurd metaphysical arguments
+already considered?
+
+Atmospheric and aqueous changes often, and, indeed, generally, appear more
+chaotic and destitute of a controlling force than any others in nature.
+When the winds are let loose from their prison-house; when the heavens
+become dark, and the clouds, rent by the lightnings, pour down their
+contents, and the swollen torrents carry desolation down the mountain's
+side and over the wide plain; when the ocean rolls in upon the land its
+giant waves; when the tornado sweeps all before it, in rich tropical
+regions; or when the sirocco sends its hot blast, loaded with sand, over
+the devoted surface,--in all these cases, how difficult for us to conceive
+that all this uproar among the elements is limited and controlled by laws
+as fixed and unalterable as those which regulate the heavenly bodies!
+Nevertheless, it must be so; and although the winds and the waters seem to
+be rioting at their pleasure, there are, in fact, at work antagonist
+agencies; which will confine their wild war to a narrow field, and soon
+bring them again into peaceful submission. For such has always been the
+case, and the limits of their irregularities are no wider now than six
+thousand years ago. In other words, the repressing agency has always been
+superior to the destroying force, when the latter has risen to a certain
+limit; and I doubt not but the profounder mathematics of angelic minds
+might as easily calculate the anomalies and perturbations of winds and
+waves as the formulas of La Place can determine those of the solar system.
+And if such constancy has existed for six thousand years in meteorological
+changes,--of all others in nature apparently the most irregular,--why, the
+atheist will ask, may not that constancy have been eternal? And with equal
+reason may he ask the same in respect to all changes resulting from
+mechanical, chemical, and organic laws, which we witness in nature, except
+those which come within the province of geology, and even concerning some
+of those; and what changes in the material world do not result, directly
+or remotely, from one or two, or all of these laws? Yet, in regard to all
+these changes, there is no inconsistency in supposing them to have gone on
+in an eternal series; and hence they furnish no proof of the non-eternity
+of the world.
+
+In the seventh and last place, the recent origin of society, as shown by
+historical monuments, is regarded as evidence of the recent origin of the
+world. This argument was well understood as long ago as the days of
+Lucretius, who states it very clearly in the oft-quoted lines,--
+
+  "Si nulla fuit genitalis origo,
+  Terrarum et coeli, semperque eterna fuit,
+  Cur, supra bellum Thebanum et funera Trojæ,
+  Non alias alii quoque res cecinere poetæ?"
+
+This argument, though it has been met by a plausible reply, is certainly
+of great importance in its bearing upon the recent origin of the human
+race, which, as we shall shortly see, is a point of much interest. But it
+is obvious that it proves nothing respecting the origin of matter, since
+this might have had an eternal existence before man was placed upon it. We
+need not, therefore, be delayed by its discussion.
+
+Such is a fair summary, as I believe, of the arguments usually adduced,
+aside from the Bible and geology, to prove the non-eternity of the world.
+I am not prepared to say that they amount to nothing; but I do believe
+that they perplex, rather than convince, and that some of them are mere
+metaphysical quibbles.
+
+They do not produce that instantaneous conviction which most of the
+arguments of natural theology force upon the mind; and it is easy to see
+how a man of a sceptical turn should rise from their examination entirely
+unaffected, or affected unfavorably. Let us now, therefore, turn to
+geology, and inquire whether its archives will afford us any clearer light
+upon the subject.
+
+And here we must confess, at the outset, that geology furnishes us no more
+evidence than the other sciences of the creation of the matter of the
+universe out of nothing. But it does furnish us with examples of such
+modifications of matter as could be effected only by a Deity. Suppose,
+then, we should be obliged to acknowledge to the atheist, that we yield to
+him the point of matter's eternal existence, if he pleases, because we can
+find nowhere in nature decisive evidence of its creation, and then take
+our stand upon the arrangements and metamorphoses of matter. Or, rather,
+suppose we say to him, that we shall not contend with him as to the origin
+of matter, but challenge him to explain, if he can, without a Deity, its
+modifications, as taught by geology. If that science does disclose to us
+such changes on the globe as no power and wisdom but those of an infinite
+God could produce, then of what consequence is it, so far as religion is
+concerned, whether we can, or cannot, demonstrate the first creation of
+matter? I can conceive of no religious truth that would be unfavorably
+affected, though we should admit that this point cannot be settled. Let
+us, then, at least for the sake of argument, admit that it cannot be, and
+proceed to inquire whether, aside from this point, geology does not teach
+us all that is necessary to establish the most perfect system of Theism. I
+shall select four examples from that science, each of which is independent
+of the others in its bearing upon the subject, since in this way the
+argument will become cumulative; and if some are not satisfied with one
+example, the others may produce conviction.
+
+In the first place, geology teaches that the time has been when the earth
+existed as a molten mass of matter, and, therefore, all the animals and
+plants now existing upon its surface, and all those buried in its rocky
+strata, must have had a beginning, or have been created. I should be
+sustained by many probabilities, were I to go farther, and maintain that
+the time was when the globe existed in a gaseous state--an opinion very
+widely adopted by able philosophers of the present day. But as this view
+is more hypothetical than my first position, which makes the earth a
+liquid mass, and as nothing would be gained to the argument by supposing
+it in a gaseous state, I shall not press that point. That it was once in a
+state of fusion is probable from the very great heat still remaining in
+its interior. But more direct proof of this results from the facts, now
+admitted by almost all geologists, that the unstratified rocks have all
+been melted, and that the stratified class have all, or nearly all, been
+the result of disintegration and abrasion of the unstratified masses. A
+striking confirmation of this opinion is the spheroidal figure of the
+earth,--a figure precisely such as the globe would have assumed in
+consequence of rotation, had it been in a fluid state. In fine, so many
+and so decisive are the facts which point to the original igneous fluidity
+of the globe, that no competent judge thinks of doubting that all the
+matter of which it is composed, certainly its crust, has some time or
+other been in that state. It is, however, the opinion of some geologists
+of distinction, that the whole of it was not in fusion at the same time,
+and that its different portions have passed successively through the
+furnace. But this view of the subject scarcely affects my argument, since
+at whatever period the fusion of any part took place, the destruction of
+organic life, if it existed, must have been the consequence. The essential
+thing is, to show that such was once the state of the earth that animals
+and plants could not have existed on it. For if such was the case, their
+creation must have been a subsequent operation; and if this did not
+require an infinite Being to accomplish it, no result in nature would
+demand his agency.
+
+To prove the original igneous fluidity of the globe, we might have adopted
+another course of argument. All will admit that the present temperature of
+the interior of the earth is far more elevated than that of the
+surrounding planetary spaces. The inevitable result is, from the known
+laws of heat, that its radiation into the celestial spaces is constantly
+going on, and consequently the earth's temperature is being constantly
+lowered. Who can tell us now when this process of refrigeration commenced?
+If no one, then there must have been a time when the heat was great enough
+to fuse the whole globe. And the facts already stated confirm such an
+inference. For all the efforts hitherto made to show that the earth may be
+passing through regions of various temperatures, in its march around the
+centre of centres, amount to nothing more than dreamy conjecture.
+
+In order to feel the force of the argument, sustained by so many facts in
+geology, just picture to yourselves this vast globe as a mass of liquid
+fire. From such a world every thing organic must have been excluded, and
+every thing combustible consumed, and only such combinations of matter
+have existed as incandescent heat could not decompose. Compare such a
+world with that now teeming with life, and beauty, and glory, which we
+inhabit; and say, must not the transition to its present condition have
+demanded the exercise of infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite
+benevolence? You can, indeed, conceive how a solid crust might have formed
+over the vast fiery ocean, by the simple radiation of heat; and then, too,
+by natural laws, might the vapors have been condensed into oceans and
+clouds, while volcanic force within might have lifted up our continents
+and mountains above the flood. But what a picture of desolation and ruin
+would such a world present, while unadorned with vegetation, and with no
+voice of life to break the stillness of universal death! Here is, then,
+the precise point where we need the interference of a Deity. Admit, if you
+please, that atheism, with its eternal matter and the laws of nature at
+command, might form a world without inhabitants. Who does not see, that to
+bestow organization, and life, and instinct, to say nothing of intellect,
+upon brute matter, is the loftiest prerogative of Jehovah? especially to
+fill so vast a world as ours with its teeming millions, exhibiting ten
+thousand diversities of size, form, and structure.
+
+Let the atheist then exult in the belief of an eternal world. Geology
+shows him that it must have been without inhabitants; and that, therefore,
+the most wonderful part of the creation still remains to be accounted for;
+while physiology teaches that the interference of an infinite Deity can
+alone solve the enigma.
+
+My second example from geology to disprove the notion of an eternal series
+of animals and plants on the globe, is derived from the history of organic
+remains. That history shows us clearly, that the earth, since its
+creation, has been the seat of several distinct economies of life, each
+occupying long periods, and successively passing away. During each of
+these periods, distinct groups of animals and plants have occupied the
+earth, the air, and the waters. Each successive group has been entirely
+distinct from that which preceded it, though each group was exactly
+adapted to the existing state of the climate and the food provided; so
+that, had the different groups changed places with one another, they must
+have perished, because their constitutions were adapted only to the state
+of things during the period in which they actually lived. A distinguished
+naturalist has recently declared that "he has discovered, in surveying the
+entire series of fossil animal remains, five great groups, so completely
+independent that no species whatever is found in more than one of
+them."--_Deshayes._
+
+Including the existing races, this would give us six entirely distinct
+groups of organic beings that have lived in succession upon this globe
+since it became a habitable world. But even if it should be found that a
+few species are common to adjoining groups, the great truth would still
+remain, that the different groups were too much unlike to be
+contemporaries, and that consequently a new creation must have taken place
+whenever each new group commenced its course.
+
+It is probable the earth has changed its inhabitants more than the six
+times that have been mentioned; some think as many as twelve times. But a
+larger number cannot yet be proved so clearly; and could they be, they
+would add nothing to this argument; for it rests mainly on the fact that
+this change of organic life has even once been complete. We may, however,
+very safely assume that the present animals and plants are the sixth group
+that have occupied the globe.[12]
+
+These facts being admitted, and who does not see the necessity of divine
+interference, whenever one race of animals and plants passed from the
+earth in order to repeople it? It is not difficult to conceive how
+volcanic fires, or aqueous inundations, may have carried universal
+destruction over the globe, and bereft it of inhabitants. But where, save
+in the fiat of an infinite Deity, is the power that can make this universe
+of death teem again with life and beauty? In the powerful language of Dr.
+Chalmers, we may inquire, "Is there aught in the rude and boisterous play
+of a great physical catastrophe that can germinate those exquisite
+structures, which, during our yet undisturbed economy, have been
+transmitted in pacific succession to the present day? What is there in the
+rush, and turbulence, and mighty clamor of such great elements, of ocean
+heaved from its old resting-place, and lifting its billows above the Alps
+and the Andes of a former continent,--what is there in this to charm into
+being the embryo of an infant family, wherewith to stock and to repeople a
+now desolate world? We see in the sweeping energy and uproar of this
+elemental war enough to account for the disappearance of all the old
+generations, but nothing that might cradle any new generations into
+existence, so as to have effloresced on ocean's deserted bed the life and
+loveliness which are now before our eyes. At no juncture, we apprehend, in
+the history of the world, is the interposition of the Deity more manifest
+than at this; nor can we better account for so goodly a creation emerging
+again into new forms of animation and beauty from the wreck of the old
+one, than that the spirit of God moved on the face of chaos, and that
+nature, turned by the last catastrophe into a wilderness, was again
+repeopled at the utterance of his word."
+
+Sir Isaac Newton has said, that "the growth of new systems out of old
+ones, without the mediation of a divine power, seems to me apparently
+absurd." He seems in this passage to have referred only to the
+arrangements of matter, "with respect to size, figure, proportions, and
+properties," and not to the principle of life, of instinct, or of
+intellect. But when the latter are taken into the account, it must be
+superlatively absurd to suppose new systems can grow out of old ones by
+merely natural operations. He, indeed, who can bring himself to believe,
+with a certain writer, that "the instincts of animals are nothing more
+than inert and passive attractions, derived from the power of sensation,
+and the instinctive operations of animals nothing more than
+crystallizations produced through the agency of that power,"--such a man
+could probably easily persuade himself that, by the help of galvanism,
+animals and plants might be the result of natural operations. Such
+doctrines, however, we shall examine in another lecture.
+
+My third example from geology, showing the non-eternity of the present
+condition of the globe, is the fact of the disappearance of several large
+species of animals since the commencement of the most recent or alluvial
+geological period. Certain large pachydermatous and other animals, such as
+the fossil elephant, the mastodon, the megatherium, the mylodon, the
+megalonyx, the glyptodon, the fossil horse, ox, deer, &c., also nine or
+ten species of huge birds--the dinornis, the palapteryx, aptornis,
+notornis, and nestor of New Zealand, the dodo of Mauritius and Bourbon,
+and the pezohaps or solitaire of Rodriguez,--have ceased to exist since
+the tertiary period; some of them--the birds, for instance--since man's
+creation. Now, if any important species of animals from time to time
+disappear from any system of organic life, it shows a tendency to ruin in
+that system; for such is the intimate dependence of different beings upon
+one another, that you cannot blot out one, certainly not a large number,
+without disturbing the healthy balance between the whole, and probably
+bringing the whole to ultimate ruin. At any rate, if several species die
+out by natural processes, no reason can be given why others should not, in
+like manner, disappear. And to prove that any organic system shows a
+tendency to ruin is to show that it had a beginning.
+
+My third example from geology, demonstrating the special interference of
+the Deity in the affairs of this world, is the fact of the comparatively
+recent commencement of the human race. That man was among the very last of
+the animals created is made certain by the fact that his remains are found
+only in the highest part of alluvium. This is rarely more than one hundred
+feet in thickness, while the other fossiliferous strata, lying beneath the
+alluvium, are six miles thick.
+
+Hence man was not in existence during all the period in which these six
+miles of strata were in a course of deposition, and he has existed only
+during the comparatively short period in which the one hundred feet of
+alluvium have been formed; nay, during only a small part of the alluvial
+period. His bones, having the same chemical composition as the bones of
+other animals, are no more liable to decay; and, therefore, had he lived
+and died in any of the periods preceding the alluvial, his bones must have
+been mixed with those of other animals belonging to those periods. But
+they are not thus found in a single well-authenticated instance, and,
+therefore, his existence has been limited to the alluvial period. Hence he
+must have been created and placed upon the globe--such is the testimony of
+geology--during the latter part of the alluvial period.
+
+I might include in this example nearly all the other species of existing
+animals and plants, since it is only a very few of these that are found
+fossil, and such species are limited to the tertiary strata. But since
+this might make some confusion in the argument, and since man is
+confessedly at the head of the existing creation, I prefer to let his case
+stand out alone, and to regard it _instar omnium_.
+
+Here, then, we have a case in which geology can lay her finger upon the
+precise epoch, in the revolutions of our globe, in which the most
+complicated, perfect, and exalted being that ever dwelt upon its surface
+first began to be. It was not the commencement of a mere zoöphyte, or
+cryptogamean plant, in which we see but little superiority to unorganized
+matter, except in their possession of a low degree of vitality. But we
+have a being complicated enough to contain a million of parts, endowed
+with the two great attributes of life, sensibility and contractility, in
+the highest degree, and, above all, possessing intellect and moral powers
+far more wonderful than organization and animal life.
+
+As to the period when the creation of such a being, by the most
+astonishing of all miracles, took place, I believe there is no diversity
+of opinion. At least, all agree that it was very recent; nay, although
+geology can rarely give chronological dates, but only a succession of
+events, she is able to say, from the monuments she deciphers, that man
+cannot have occupied the globe more than six thousand years.
+
+Now, if it was difficult to conceive how successive races of the inferior
+animals and plants could have originated in the laws of nature, without
+the special interference of the Deity, that difficulty increases in a
+rapid ratio as we ascend on the scale of organization and intellect, and
+attempt in the same manner to account for the origin of man without the
+miraculous agency of Deity. The thorough-going materialist, however, does
+not shrink from the effort. "Thought," says Bory de St. Vincent, "being
+the necessary result of a certain kind of organization, wherever this
+order is established, thought is necessarily derived from it; and it is no
+more possible for the molecules of matter, arranged in a certain manner,
+not to produce thought, than for brass, when smitten, not to return a
+sound, or for creatures formed by this matter, after such and such laws,
+not to walk, not to breathe, not to reproduce; in a word, not to exercise
+any of the faculties which result from their peculiar mechanism of
+organization."--Dict. Clas. _D. Hist. Nat._ art. _Matière_.
+
+This may seem, upon a superficial view, to be settling this matter at
+once. But it merely shifts the difficulty from one part of the subject to
+another. Admitting the premises of the materialist to be correct, it does
+indeed show us the proximate cause of thought. But the mind immediately
+inquires how a certain organization became possessed of such wonderful
+power. Is it inherent in matter, or is it a power communicated to
+organization by a supreme Being? If the latter, it is just what the
+Theist contends for; if the former, then there is just as much necessity
+for the original interposition of the Deity, in order to give matter such
+an astonishing power, as there is, on the theory of the immaterialist, to
+impart a spiritual and immortal principle to matter. The materialist will,
+indeed, say that matter has possessed this power from eternity. But this
+supposition, evidently absurd, does in fact invest matter with the
+attributes of Deity; since those attributes, and those alone, are
+sufficient to account for the phenomena. And besides, how is the fact to
+be explained that this power was not exerted till six thousand years ago?
+
+But with the exception of the materialist, I am sure that most reasoning
+minds will feel as if the creation of the human family was one of the most
+stupendous, perhaps the most stupendous, exercise of infinite power and
+wisdom which the universe exhibits. If any change whatever demands a Deity
+for its accomplishment, it must be this; and, therefore, geology presents,
+in the case of man, the most striking example which nature could furnish
+of a beginning of organic and intellectual life on the globe. It shows us
+that there was a time, and that not remote, when the first link of the
+curious chain of the human family, now constantly lengthening by
+inflexible laws, was created.
+
+I might now refer to certain recent discoveries in astronomy, which have
+the same bearing upon the general argument as the examples that have been
+quoted from geology, although less decisive. After the famous
+demonstration of the eternity of the universe by La Grange, provided the
+present laws of gravity alone control it, we could hardly expect that, so
+soon, even astronomy would furnish proof of a disturbing cause, which must
+ultimately and inevitably bring ruin among the heavenly bodies, if some
+counteracting agency be not exerted. Yet such a source of derangement
+exists in the supposed medium extending through all space, which has
+already shown its retarding influence upon Enke's, Biela's, and Halley's
+comets. And who can say that some of the vast periods which geology
+discloses may not have been commensurate with those intervening between
+catastrophes among the heavenly bodies as the result of the universal
+resisting ether? At present, however, we can say only that we know such
+long periods have existed in geology, and probably in astronomy. And their
+mere existence is fatal to the idea of the eternity of the world in its
+present state.
+
+If, then, geology can clearly demonstrate the present state of the globe
+to have had a beginning; if she can show us the period, by fair induction,
+when one liquid, fiery ocean enveloped the whole earth; if she can show us
+five or six economies of organic life successively flourishing and passing
+away; if she can trace man back to his origin at a comparatively recent
+date; if, in fact, she can show us that the most important operations on
+the globe, and the most complicated and exalted organic races, had a
+beginning; and if astronomy affords glimpses of similar changes,--then why
+may we not safely leave the subject of the world's eternity an undecided
+question, consistently with the most perfect Theism? If we can prove that
+the power, the wisdom, and the benevolence of the Deity have again and
+again interfered with the regular sequence of nature's operations, and
+introduced new conditions and new and more perfect beings, by using the
+matter already in existence, what though we cannot, by the light of
+science, run back to the first production of matter itself? What though
+the atheist should here be allowed to maintain his favorite theory that
+matter never had a beginning? What doctrine of natural religion is
+thereby unfavorably affected, if we can only show the interposition of the
+Deity in all of matter's important modifications? Such an admission would
+not prove matter to be eternal, but only that science has not yet placed
+within the reach of man the means of proving its non-eternity. And really,
+such an admission would be far more favorable to the cause of truth than
+to rely, as theologians have done, on metaphysical subtilties to prove
+that matter had a beginning. For the sceptical mind will not merely remain
+unconvinced by such arguments, but be very apt to draw the sweeping
+inference that all the doctrines of natural and revealed religion rest on
+similar dreamy abstractions.
+
+But is natural theology in fact destitute of all satisfactory proof that
+the matter of the universe had a beginning? Such proof, it seems to me,
+she will seek in vain in the wide fields of physical and mathematical
+science; and the solution of the question which metaphysics offers, as we
+have seen, does not satisfy. But there are sources of evidence on this
+point which seem to me of the most satisfactory kind.
+
+In the first place, we may derive from science some presumptive proof of a
+commencement of the matter of the universe. The fact that the organic
+races on the globe had a beginning affords such proof. For matter could
+not have originated itself; nor is there any proof of its eternal
+existence; and to assume that it did eternally exist, without proof, is
+far more unphilosophical than to admit its origination in the divine will.
+For since God has complete control over matter, it is probable that he
+created it with such properties as he wished it to possess. And
+furthermore, to the power and wisdom that could set in motion the heavenly
+bodies, and create and adapt existing organisms out of preëxistent matter,
+we can assign no limits, and hence conclude them to be infinite.
+Therefore they are sufficient to the production of matter, which could not
+have demanded more than infinite wisdom and power.
+
+Now, in confirmation of these presumptions, we may appeal to the Bible. It
+is true that writers have been accustomed to consider it contrary to sound
+logic to draw from revelation any support or illustrations of natural
+religion. But why should an historical fact possess less value, if
+transmitted to us through the channel of sacred, rather than profane,
+writers? Now, it would be regarded as perfectly good reasoning to seize
+upon any facts stated by heathen philosophers and historians, illustrative
+of natural religion. But the Scriptures carry with them, to say the least,
+quite as strong evidence of their authenticity and claims to be credited,
+as any ancient uninspired writer. We place them on the same ground as any
+other history, and demand for them only that they should be believed so
+far as we have testimony to their authenticity. If a man, after careful
+examination of their evidences, comes to the conclusion that they are mere
+fables, then to him their testimony is of no value to prove or illustrate
+any truth of natural religion. But if he is convinced that they are worthy
+of credence, then their statements may decide a point about which the
+light of nature leaves him in uncertainty. In this way the Bible is used
+by the natural theologian, just as he would employ any curious object in
+nature--say, the human hand, or the eye. These organs exist, and their
+mechanism is to be accounted for either with or without a God. And so the
+Bible exists, and its contents are to be accounted for; and if they
+clearly evince the agency of a Deity, then we may use them, just as we
+would use the eye or the hand, to prove or illustrate important truths in
+natural theology.
+
+But the testimony of the Bible, as to the origin of the world, is most
+explicit and decided. It declares that _in the beginning God created the
+heavens and the earth; and that the worlds were formed by the word of God,
+so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do
+appear_. The obvious meaning of this latter passage is, that the material
+universe was created out of nothing. ([Greek: ta mê phainomena].) How much
+more satisfactory this simple and consistent statement, than a volume of
+abstract argument to prove the non-eternity of the world!
+
+Now, if the testimony of the Scriptures on all other points has been found
+correct, why should we not receive with unhesitating credence, and even
+with joy, the sublime announcement with which that volume opens? True, we
+are not compelled to admit this statement, in order to save Theism from
+refutation, because geology shows us the commencement of several economies
+on the globe, which point us to a divine Author. But the doctrine of
+matter's creation out of nothing gives a desirable completeness to the
+system.
+
+In looking back upon the subject, which has thus been discussed, too
+briefly for its merits, but too prolixly for your patience, several
+important inferences force themselves upon our attention.
+
+And first, it furnishes a satisfactory reply to a well-known objection,
+otherwise unanswerable, against the argument from design in nature to
+prove the existence of a Deity. We present ten thousand examples of
+exquisite design and adaptation in nature to the atheist. He admits them
+all; but says, it was always so, and therefore requires no other Deity but
+the power eternally inherent in nature. At your metaphysical replies to
+his objections he laughs; but when you take him back on geological wings,
+and bid him gaze on man, just springing, with his lofty powers, from the
+plastic hands of his Creator, and then, still earlier, you point him to
+system after system of organic life starting up in glorious variety and
+beauty on the changing earth, and even still nearer the birth of time, you
+show him the globe, a glowing ocean of fire, swept of all organic life, he
+is forced to exclaim, "A God! a personal God! an infinitely wise and
+powerful God!" What though he still clings to the notion of matter's
+eternity? you have forced him to see the hand of Deity in its wonderful
+arrangements and metamorphoses; the hand of such a Deity as might have
+brought it into existence in a moment, by the word of his power.[13]
+
+Secondly. The subject presents us with a new argument for the existence of
+a God, or rather a satisfactory modification of the argument from design.
+In that argument, as derived from other sciences, the Theist finds,
+indeed, multiplied and beautiful proofs of adaptation and apparent design;
+but then he cannot, as already observed, from those sciences derive proof
+of the commencement either of matter or its arrangements; and then, too,
+the sceptic, with plausible ingenuity, can take his stand upon law as the
+efficient agent in nature's movements and harmonies. But when geology
+shows us, not the commencement of matter, but of organism, and presents us
+with full systems of animals and plants springing out of inorganic
+elements, where is the law that exhibits even a tendency to such results?
+Nothing can explain them but the law of miracles; that is, creation by
+divine interposition. Thus is the idea of a Deity forced nakedly upon us,
+as the only possible solution of the enigmas of creation. The
+metaphysical Theist must waste half his strength in battling the
+questions about the beginning of matter, and the laws of matter; nor can
+he ever entirely dislodge the enemy from these strongholds of atheism. But
+the geological Theist takes us at once into a field where work has been
+done, which neither eternal law, nor eternal matter, but an infinite
+personal Deity only, could accomplish.
+
+In conclusion, I would merely refer to the interesting fact, that geology
+should prove almost the only science that presents us with exigencies
+demanding the interposition of creating power. And yet, up to the present
+time, geology has been looked upon by many Christian writers with jealous
+eye, because it was supposed to teach the world's eternity, and so to
+account for natural changes by catastrophes and the gradual operation of
+existing agencies, as to render a Deity unnecessary, either for the
+creation or regulation of the world. One of these writers has even most
+uncharitably and unreasonably said, that "the mineral geology, considered
+as a science, can do as well without God (though in a question concerning
+the origin of the earth) as Lucretius did."--Granville Penn, _Comparative
+Estimate_, &c.--How much ground there is for such an allegation, let the
+developments made in this lecture answer. Surely, in this case, geology
+has followed the directions of the Oriental poet:--
+
+  "Learn from yon Orient shell to love thy foe,
+  And strew with pearls the hand that brings thee woe;
+  Free, like yon rock, from base, vindictive pride,
+  Emblaze with gems the wrist that rends thy side.
+  Mark where yon tree rewards the stony shower
+  With fruit nectareous or the balmy flower.
+  All nature calls aloud,--'Shall man do less
+  Than heal the smiter, and the railer bless?'"
+
+Misunderstood or misinterpreted though this science has been, she now
+offers her aid to fortify some of the weakest outposts of religion. And
+thus shall it ever be with all true science. Twin sister of natural and
+revealed religion, and of heavenly birth, she will never belie her
+celestial origin, nor cease to sympathize with all that emanates from the
+same pure home. Human ignorance and prejudice may for a time seem to have
+divorced what God has joined together. But human ignorance and prejudice
+shall at length pass away, and then science and religion shall be seen
+blending their parti-colored rays into one beautiful bow of light, linking
+heaven to earth and earth to heaven.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VI.
+
+GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE.
+
+
+The subject of the present lecture is the divine benevolence, as taught by
+geology. But what connection, it will be asked, can there be between the
+history of rocks and the benevolence of God? Do not the leading points of
+that history consist of terrible catastrophes, aqueous or igneous, by
+which the crust of the earth has been dislocated and upheaved, mountains
+lifted up and overturned, the dry land inundated, now by scorching lava,
+and now by the ocean, sweeping from its face all organic life, and
+entombing its inhabitants in a stony grave? Who can find the traces of
+benevolence in the midst of such desolation and death? Is it not the very
+place where the objector would find arguments to prove the malevolence,
+certainly the vindictive justice, of the Deity?
+
+This, I am aware, is a not unnatural _prima facie_ view of this subject.
+But it is a false one. Geology does furnish some very striking evidence of
+divine benevolence; and if I can show this, and from so unpromising a
+field gather decisive arguments on this subject, they will be so much
+clear gain to the cause of Theism. This is what, therefore, I shall now
+attempt to do.
+
+_In the first place, I derive an argument for the divine benevolence from
+the manner in which soils are formed by the disintegration and
+decomposition of rocks._
+
+Chemical analysis shows us that the mineral constituents of rocks are
+essentially the same as those of soils; and that the latter differ from
+the former, in a pulverized state, only in containing animal and vegetable
+matter. Hence we cannot doubt but the soils originated from the rocks.
+And, in fact, the process of their production is continually going on
+under our eyes. Wherever the rocks are exposed to atmospheric agencies,
+they are seen to crumble down; and, in fact, most of them, having been
+long exposed, are now covered with a deposit of their own ruins, forming a
+soil over them. This process is in part decomposition and in part
+disintegration; and as we look upon rocks thus wasting away, we are apt to
+be impressed with the idea that it is an instance of decay in nature's
+works, which, instead of indicating benevolence, can hardly be reconciled
+with divine wisdom. But when we learn that this is the principal mode in
+which soils are produced, that without it vegetation could not be
+sustained, and that a world like ours without plants must also be without
+animals, this apparent ruin puts on the aspect of benevolence and wise
+design.
+
+_My second argument in proof of the divine benevolence is derived from the
+disturbed, broken, and overturned condition of the earth's crust._
+
+To the casual observer, the rocks have the appearance of being lifted up,
+shattered, and overturned. But it is only the geologist who knows the vast
+extent of this disturbance. He never finds crystalline, non-fossiliferous
+rocks, which have not been more or less removed from their original
+position; and usually he finds them to have been thrown up by some
+powerful agency into almost every possible position. The older
+fossiliferous strata exhibit almost equal evidence of the operation of a
+powerful disturbing force, though sometimes found in their original
+horizontal position. The newer rocks have experienced less of this
+agency, though but few of them have not been elevated or dislocated.
+Mountainous countries exhibit this action most strikingly. There it is
+shown sometimes on a magnificent scale. Entire mountains in the Alps, for
+instance, appear not only to have been lifted up from the ocean's depths,
+but to have been actually thrown over, so as to bring the lowest and
+oldest rocks at the top of the series. The extensive range of mountains in
+this country, commencing in Canada, and embracing the Green Mountains of
+Vermont, the Highlands of New York, and most of the Alleghany chain as far
+as Alabama, a distance of some twelve hundred miles, has also been lifted
+up, and some of the strata, by a lateral force, folded together, and then
+thrown over, so as now to occupy an inverted position. Let us now see
+wherein this agency exhibits benevolence.
+
+If these strata had remained horizontal, as they were originally
+deposited, it is obvious that all the valuable ores, minerals, and rocks,
+which man could not have discovered by direct excavation, must have
+remained forever unknown to him. Now, man has very seldom penetrated the
+rocks below the depth of half a mile, and rarely so deep as that; whereas,
+by the elevations, dislocations, and overturnings that have been
+described, he obtains access to all deposits of useful substances that lie
+within fifteen or twenty miles of the surface; and many are thus probably
+brought to light from a greater depth. He is indebted, then, to this
+disturbing agency for nearly all the useful metals, coal, rock salt,
+marble, gypsum, and other useful minerals; and when we consider how
+necessary these substances are to civilized society, who will doubt that
+it was a striking act of benevolence which thus introduced disturbance,
+dislocation, and apparent ruin into the earth's crust?
+
+Another decided advantage resulting from this disturbing agency is the
+formation of valleys.
+
+If we suppose the strata spread uniformly over the earth's entire surface,
+then the ocean must envelop the whole globe. But, admitting such
+interruptions in the strata to exist as would leave cavities, where the
+waters might be gathered together into one place, and the dry land appear,
+still that dry land must form only an unbroken level. Streams of water
+could not exist on such a continent, because they depend upon inequalities
+of surface; and whatever water existed must have formed only stagnant
+ponds, and the morasses which would be the consequence would load the air
+with miasms fatal to life; so that we may safely pronounce the world
+uninhabitable by natures adapted to the present earth. But such,
+essentially, must have been the state of things, had not internal forces
+elevated and fractured the earth's crust. For that was the origin of most
+of our valleys--of all the larger valleys, indeed, which checker the
+surface of primary countries. Most of them have been modified by
+subsequent agencies; but their leading features, their outlines, have been
+the result of those internal disturbances which spread desolation over the
+surface. We are apt to look upon such an agency as an exhibition of
+retributive justice, rather than of benevolence. And yet that admirable
+system for the circulation of water, whereby the rain that falls upon the
+surface is conveyed to the ocean, whence it is returned by evaporation,
+depends upon it. It imparts, to all organic nature, life, health, and
+activity; and had it not thus ridged up the surface, stagnation and death
+must have reigned over all the earth. In the unhealthiness of low, flat
+countries, at present, we see the terrible condition of things in a world
+without valleys. Can we doubt, then, that it was the hand of benevolence
+that drove the ploughshare of ruin through the earth's crust, and ridged
+up its surface into a thousand fantastic forms?
+
+It will more deeply impress us with this benevolence to remember that most
+of the sublime and the beautiful in the scenery of a country depends upon
+this disturbing agency. Beautiful as vegetable nature is, how tame is a
+landscape where only a dead level is covered with it, and no swelling
+hills, or jutting rocks, or murmuring waters, relieve the monotonous
+scene! And how does the interest increase with the wildness and ruggedness
+of the surface, and reach its maximum only where the disturbance and
+dislocation have been most violent!
+
+Some may, perhaps, doubt whether it can have been one of the objects of
+divine benevolence and wisdom, in arranging the surface of this world, so
+to construct and adorn it as to gratify a taste for fine scenery. But I
+cannot doubt it. I see not else why nature every where is fitted up in a
+lavish manner with all the elements of the sublime and beautiful, nor why
+there are powers in the human soul so intensely gratified in contact with
+those elements, unless they were expressly adapted for one another by the
+Creator. Surely natural scenery does afford to the unsophisticated soul
+one of the richest and purest sources of enjoyment to be found on earth.
+If this be doubted by any one, it must be because he has never been placed
+in circumstances to call into exercise his natural love of the beautiful
+and the sublime in creation. Let me persuade such a one, at least in
+imagination, to break away from the slavish routine of business or
+pleasure, and in the height of balmy summer to accompany me to a few
+spots, where his soul will swell with new and strong emotions, if his
+natural sensibilities to the grand and beautiful have not become
+thoroughly dead within him.
+
+We might profitably pause for a moment at this enchanting season of the
+year, (June,) and look abroad from that gentle elevation on which we
+dwell, now all mantled over with a flowery carpet, wafting its balmy odors
+into our studies. Can any thing be more delightful than the waving
+forests, with their dense and deep green foliage, interspersed with grassy
+and sunny fields and murmuring streamlets, which spread all around us? How
+rich the graceful slopes of yonder distant mountains, which bound the
+Connecticut on either side! How imposing Mount Sugar Loaf on the north,
+with its red-belted and green-tufted crown, and Mettawampe too, with its
+rocky terraces on the one side, and its broad slopes of unbroken forest on
+the other! Especially, how beautifully and even majestically does the
+indented summit of Mount Holyoke repose against the summer sky! What
+sunrises and sunsets do we here witness, and what a multitude of
+permutations and combinations pass before us during the day, as we watch
+from hour to hour one of the loveliest landscapes of New England!
+
+Let us now turn our steps to that huge pile of mountains called the White
+Hills of New Hampshire. We will approach them through the valley of the
+Saco River, and at the distance of thirty miles they will be seen looming
+up in the horizon, with the clouds reposing beneath their naked heads. As
+the observer approaches them, the sides of the valley will gradually close
+in upon him, and rise higher and higher, until he will find their naked
+granitic summits almost jutting over his path, to the height of several
+thousand feet, seeming to form the very battlements of heaven. Now and
+then will he see the cataract leaping hundreds of feet down their sides,
+and the naked path of some recent landslip, which carried death and
+desolation in its track. From this deep and wild chasm he will at length
+emerge, and climb the vast ridge, until he has seen the forest trees
+dwindle, and at length disappear; and standing upon the naked summit,
+immensity seems stretched out before him. But he has not yet reached the
+highest point; and far in the distance, and far above him, Mount
+Washington seems to repose in awful majesty against the heavens. Turning
+his course thither, he follows the narrow and naked ridge over one peak
+after another, first rising upon Mount Pleasant, then Mount Franklin, and
+then Mount Monroe, each lifting him higher, and making the sea of
+mountains around him more wide and billowy, and the yawning gulfs on
+either side more profound and awful, so that every moment his interest
+deepens, and reaches not its climax till he stands upon Mount Washington,
+when the vast panorama is completed, and the world seems spread out at his
+feet. Yet it does not seem to be a peopled world, for no mighty city lies
+beneath him. Indeed, were it there, he would pass it almost unnoticed. For
+why should he regard so small an object as a city, when the world is
+before him?--a world of mountains, bearing the impress of God's own hand,
+standing in solitary grandeur, just as he piled them up in primeval ages,
+and stretching away on every side as far as the eye can reach. On that
+pinnacle of the northern regions no sound of man or beast breaks in upon
+the awful stillness which reigns there, and which seems to bring the soul
+into near communion with the Deity. It is, indeed, the impressive Sabbath
+of nature; and the soul feels a delightful awe, which can never be
+forgotten. Gladly would it linger there for hours, and converse with the
+mighty and the holy thoughts which come crowding into it; and it is only
+when the man looks at the rapidly declining sun that he is roused from his
+revery and commences his descending march.
+
+Let such a man next accompany me to Niagara. We will pass by all minor
+cataracts, and place ourselves at once on the margin of one that knows no
+rival. Let not the man take a hasty glance, and in disappointment conclude
+that he shall find no interest and no sublimity there. Let him go to the
+edge of the precipice, and watch the deep waters as they roll over, and,
+changing their sea-green brightness for a fleecy white, pour down upon the
+rocks beneath, and dash back again in spray high in the air. Let him go to
+the foot of the sheet, and look upward till the cataract swells into its
+proper size. Let him, on the Canada shore, take in the whole breadth of
+the cataract at once; and as he stands musing, let him listen to the deep
+thunderings of the falling sheet. Let him go to Table Rock, and creep
+forward to its jutting edge, and gaze steadily into the foaming and
+eddying waters so far beneath him, until his nerves thrill and vibrate,
+and he involuntarily shrinks back, exclaiming,--
+
+                      "How dreadful
+  And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
+                       I'll look no more,
+  Lest my brain turn."
+
+Next, let him stand upon that rock till the sun approaches so near the
+western horizon that a glorious bow, forming an almost entire circle on
+the cataract and the spray, shall clothe the scene with unearthly beauty,
+and, in connection with the emerald green of the waters, give it a
+brilliancy fully equal to its sublimity. And finally, if he would add the
+emotions of moral to natural sublimity, let him follow to Ontario, the
+deep gulf through which all these waters flow, and, gathering up the
+evidence, which he will find too strong to resist, that they themselves
+have worn that gulf backward seven miles, let him try the rules of
+geological arithmetic to see if he can reach the period of its
+commencement. Surely, when he reviews the emotions of that day, he will
+never again doubt that the magnificent scenery of our world is the result
+of benevolent design on the part of the Creator.
+
+If, now, we cross the Atlantic, we shall easily find scenes of natural
+beauty and sublimity, that have long elicited the wonder and delight of
+thousands of genuine taste. Shall we turn our steps first to the valleys
+and mountains of Wales? To an American eye, indeed, they lack one
+important feature, in being so destitute of trees. But then their wild
+aspect, their ragged and rocky outlines, present a picture of the
+sublimity of desolation rarely equalled. And as you ascend the
+mountains,--Snowdon, for instance, the highest of them all,--you find
+their summits, not rounded, as our American mountains, by former drift
+agency, nor forming continuous ridges, but shooting up in ragged peaks and
+edges, as if they formed the teeth of mother earth; although, in fact, it
+was the tooth of time that has gnawed them into their present forms. As
+you approach the summit, you feel animated in anticipation of the splendid
+prospect about to open upon you. But the clouds begin to gather, and soon
+envelop the mountain top; and though you reach the pinnacle, the dense
+mist limits your vision to a circle of a few rods in diameter. But ere
+long the vapor begins to break away, and the lofty cliffs and deep caverns
+around you are revealed. Now and then, the lake, so often found in the
+recesses of these mountains, is half seen through the opening cloud, and,
+magnified by the obscurity, it seems more distant and grand than if
+distinctly visible. Gradually the clouds open in various directions,
+disclosing gulf after gulf, lake after lake, mountain after mountain, and,
+finally, the Irish Channel, dotted with sails; and the whole scene lies
+spread out before you in glories that cannot be described. You are
+standing upon the pinnacle of England, and you feel as if almost the whole
+of it lay within the circle of vision. After enjoying so splendid a scene,
+you are thankful that the cloud hid it at first from your sight, and so
+much enhanced your pleasure by opening vista after vista, till the whole
+became one magnificent circle of picturesque beauty and sublimity.[14]
+
+To relieve the mind after gazing long on such scenes of rugged grandeur,
+let us turn our course southerly, and follow down the romantic banks of
+the Wye, where every turn presents some new beauties, occasionally
+disclosing the ruins of some old castle, or magnificent abbey, (Tinton,)
+and at length Bristol, with its aristocratic adjunct, Clifton, turns your
+thoughts from the works of nature to those of man. And yet, even Clifton's
+elegant Crescent is but a meagre show by the side of the magnificent gorge
+which the Avon has cut in the rocks just before it enters Bristol Channel.
+
+Passing over to the Isle of Wight, and traversing its shores, we shall
+witness many unique examples of natural beauty, swelling sometimes into
+sublimity,--such are the chalk cliffs near its western extremity, from two
+hundred to six hundred feet high,--sometimes hollowed out into magnificent
+domes, and the pillars of chalk, called _Needles_, in the midst of the
+sea, alive with sea gulls and cormorants, and forming the remnants of the
+chalk bridge that once united the island to England. There, too, Alum Bay,
+with its many-colored strata of clay, unites the interesting in geology
+with the picturesque in scenery.
+
+Along the southern coast, also, are the stupendous cliffs and the romantic
+under-cliffs, as well as the ragged _chines_, where an almost tropical
+climate attracts the invalid, while the cool sea breezes draw thither the
+wealthy and the fashionable.
+
+But if sublime scenery pleases us more, we must traverse the Highlands of
+Scotland,--
+
+  "Land of brown heath and shaggy furze,"
+
+land of lofty and naked mountains, embosoming lakes of great beauty, and
+full of historic and poetic interest.
+
+Passing over Loch Lomond, the queen of Scottish lakes, you go through the
+long shadow of Ben Lomond, propped by many lesser mountains. Rising into
+the Highlands, the sterility and wildness increase, and reach their
+maximum in Glencoe, whose wildness and sublimity are indeed indescribable;
+but if seen, they can never be forgotten. Still farther north, Ben Nevis
+lifts its uncovered head above all other mountains in the British Isles;
+so high, indeed, that often, during the whole summer, it retains a portion
+of its snowy, wintry mantle.
+
+Yet farther north, we come to the unique terraces, called the _Parallel
+Roads of Glen Roy_, formerly supposed to be the work of giants; but now,
+that they are known to be the product of nature, proving not only objects
+of great scenographical interest, but a problem of special importance and
+difficulty in geology.
+
+If we should pass from Scotland to the north-east part of Ireland, taking
+Staffa in our way, we should find in the basaltic columns of Fingal's
+Cave, and the Giant's Causeway, what seems, at first view, to be
+stupendous human structures, or rather the architecture of giants. But you
+soon find it to be only an example--
+
+  "Where nature works as if defying art,
+  And, in defiance of her rival powers,
+  By these fortuitous and random strokes,
+  Performing such inimitable feats,
+  As she, with all her rules, can never reach."
+
+Let any one sail along the coast for a few miles at the Giant's Causeway,
+enter some of the deep and echoing caverns, overhung by the basaltic mass,
+and see the columns rising tier above tier, sometimes four hundred feet in
+height, and assuming every wild and fantastic shape; or let him walk over
+the acres of columns, whose tops are as perfectly polygonal and as
+accurately fitted to one another as the most skilful architect could make
+them, and he will confess how superior Nature is, when she would present a
+model for human imitation; and how with accurate system she can combine
+the wildest disorder, and thus delight by symmetry, while she awes by
+sublimity.
+
+Let us next pass over to continental Europe. We have reached the Rhine at
+Bonn, and the steamboat takes us at once into the midst of the romantic
+Drachenfels, or seven mountains, the result of volcanic agency, and still
+presenting more or less of the conical outline peculiar almost to modern
+volcanoes. These are the commencement of the romantic scenery of the
+Rhine. From thence to Bingen, some sixty or seventy miles, that river has
+cut its way through hills and mountains, sometimes rising one thousand
+feet. Along their base, the inhabitants have planted many a well-known
+town, while old castles, half crumbled down, recall continually the
+history of feudal ages; and here, too, springs up a multitude of
+remembrances of startling events in more recent times. The mind, indeed,
+finds itself drawn at one moment to some historical monument, and the next
+to scenery of surpassing beauty or sublimity; now the bold, overhanging
+rock, now the deep recess, now the towering mountain, now the quiet dell
+with its romantic villages; while every where on the north bank, the
+vine-clad terraces show us what wonders human industry can accomplish.
+
+Nor does the Rhine lose its interest when we have emerged from its _Ghor_
+into its more open valley, from Bingen to Basle, in Switzerland. On its
+right bank, the Vosges Mountains, and on its left, the Black Forest, with
+not infrequent volcanic summits, afford a fine resting-place for the eye,
+as the rail car bears us rapidly over the rich intervening level. Or if we
+turn aside,--as to Heidelberg, on the Neckar,--what can be a more splendid
+sight than to stand by the old castle above the town, and look down the
+valley as the sun is sinking in the west!
+
+But after all, it is in Switzerland, and there only, that we meet with the
+climax of scenographical wonders. Nowhere else can we find such lakes in
+the midst of such mountains; such pleasant valleys bordered by such
+stupendous hills; such gorges, and precipices, and passes, and especially
+such glaciers; such avalanches, such snow-capped mountains, while
+vegetation at their base, and far up their sides, is fresh and luxuriant.
+
+Embark, for instance, at Zurich, and, crossing its beautiful lake, direct
+your course towards Mount Righi. As the heavy diligence lifts you above
+the lake, you begin to catch glimpses of the grandeur of the Swiss
+mountains to the south, piercing the clouds far off. Passing the romantic
+Zug, you come to the valley between the Rossberg and the Righi, and the
+denuded face of the former tells you whence came the mass of ruins over
+which you clamber, and which buried the villages of Goldau, Bussingen, and
+Rothen several hundred feet deep with blocks of stone and soil. Long and
+steep is your ascent of Righi, nearly six thousand feet above the sea. But
+the views you obtain by the way become wider and grander at every step.
+Reaching the summit near sunset, you may be gratified by a panoramic view
+of a large part of Switzerland, embracing its wildest and grandest
+scenery. Yet, if the clouds prevent, you wait for the morning, in the hope
+of being more fortunate. With the earliest dawn you awake, and proceed to
+the summit of the mountain, where hundreds, perhaps, from all civilized
+lands, are congregated, to witness the rising of the sun. But a dense
+cloud envelops the mountain, and hope almost dies within you. Wait,
+however, a few moments, and the rising sun will depress the clouds below
+the mountain's summit, and a scene of glory shall open upon you, which can
+never be erased from your memory. Look now, for the sun's first rays have
+shed a flood of glory over the clouds which now fill the valleys beneath
+your feet. A fleecy white predominates; but the colors of the prism tinge
+the edges of the clouds, and no part of the solid earth rises above them,
+save the pinnacle on which you stand, and to the south the higher peaks of
+the Bernese Alps,--the Jungfrau, the Eiger, the Shreckhorn, and the
+Wetterhorn,--covered with snow and glaciers, and seeming too pure to
+belong to earth. Indeed, the whole scene seemed to me to be unearthly; the
+fittest emblem that my eyes ever rested upon of celestial scenes; and one
+cannot repress the desire, when looking upon it, to be borne away on wings
+over the glorious scene, and to repose for a time upon the gorgeous bed,
+forgetful of the lower world. Yet when, at length, the clouds begin to
+break away, and disclose the deep valleys and blue lakes,--places made
+immortal by the deeds of such patriots and reformers as Tell and
+Zuinglius,--we feel again the attractions of earth; and as we descend to
+Lake Lucerne, we have before us such scenery as scarcely any other part of
+the world can furnish. And these scenes continue, in ever-changing
+aspects, wherever we wander along this enchanting lake; and though the
+exhausted brain fails at length, the objects of interest do not.
+
+From this lake we might turn our course easterly, and soon find ourselves
+amid the glacial regions of the Oberland Alps--scenes full of deep and
+thrilling interest. But let us rather turn southerly, and, following down
+the great valley of Switzerland, find our way among the Alps of Savoy,
+where the same phenomena attain their maximum of interest and sublimity,
+and the great monarch of the Alps is seen, wearing his hoary crown. As we
+pass along towards Lake Lehman, if the air be clear, the Bernese Alps loom
+up in unrivalled majesty; and as we sail over Lake Lehman, Mont Blanc,
+with some of its nearly equal associates, shows its distant yet impressive
+form. Passing without notice the almost unrivalled beauties of Lehman, and
+following up the Arve through its stupendous gorges, we catch views of
+Mont Blanc, as we approach it, that possess overpowering sublimity. At
+length, Chamouny is reached--a lovely vale in the midst of Alpine wonders.
+From thence we first ascend the Flegère, thirty-five hundred feet above
+the valley, and sixty-five hundred above the ocean; and there we get a
+fine view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles, or Needles. Here distances are
+vastly diminished to the eye, and you seem in near proximity even with
+Mont Blanc; and, in fact, should any adventurous visitors have reached
+the top of that mountain, a good spy-glass will show them from this
+spot.[15]
+
+On the opposite side of the valley from the Flegère, and at about the same
+height, is Montanvert, the most convenient spot for traversing the glacier
+called the Mer de Glace. If, however, one would see the lower extremity of
+that glacier, and the Arveron issuing from it, he must pass along the
+right hand side of the stream, and then he can follow up the glacier to
+Montanvert; and strange would it be if, in doing this, he should not hear
+and see the frequent avalanche.
+
+We have now reached the field where everlasting war is carried on between
+heat and cold, summer and winter. Below us, verdure clothes the valleys,
+and climbs up the slopes of the hills; and there the shepherd watches his
+flocks. Above us there are fields of ice stretching many a league, save
+where some needle-shaped summit of naked rock, too steep for snow to rest
+upon, shoots up in lonely grandeur thousands of feet, and defies the
+raging elements. From these oceans of ice shoot forth down the valleys
+enormous glaciers, appearing like vast rivers of ice, winding among the
+hills, and pushing, at the rate of a few inches each day, far into
+regions of vegetation; one year encroaching upon the shepherd's pasture
+ground, and anon, by the access of heat, driven back towards the summit;
+hurling down, from time to time, as they push forward, the thundering
+avalanche.
+
+Without difficulty at Montanvert we can enter upon the glacier, and in
+spite of the deep _crevasse_, and the elemental war, which always rages in
+those lofty regions, we may make our way to their source. Nay, human feet,
+as already suggested, have pressed even the top of Mont Blanc; and should
+we reach this summit of the Alps, we should stand upon the loftiest point
+of Europe, and behold a scene which but few eyes ever have, or ever will,
+rest upon. We should
+
+                                    "breathe
+  The difficult air of the iced mountain's top,
+  Where the birds dare not build, nor insect's wing
+  Flit o'er the herbless granite."
+
+We should, in fact, have reached the climax of the sublime in natural
+scenery.
+
+Thus far I have described, almost without exception, only what I have
+seen. But let us now venture into regions where we have only the
+description of others to guide us. Let us enter the region of ancient
+Armenia, a country composed of wide plains, bounded and intersected by
+precipitous mountains. As we journeyed south-easterly over one of these
+plains, a remarkable conical summit would arrest our attention, at the
+distance of sixty miles. Day after day, as we approached, it would creep
+up higher and higher above the horizon, developing its commanding
+features, and rivetting more intensely the attention upon it. As we came
+near its base, we should see that its top rose far into the region of
+eternal ice, whose glassy surface would reflect the light like a mirror,
+and whose lower edge had shot forth enormous glaciers as far as the heat
+would allow them to descend. In the plain below, we should be sweltering
+in a tropical heat; but the same sun that melted us would make no
+impression upon the wintry crown of the mountain. We could not keep our
+eyes or thoughts turned away from an object so sublime. And it would
+deepen the impression to learn that this gigantic cone, shooting up three
+and a half miles, was once a volcano; and still more would it deepen our
+interest to learn that this is the mountain which universal tradition in
+that region regards as the Mount Ararat, the resting-place of the ark. It
+would strike us forcibly to realize that what seems to us now to be a
+pillar of heaven, was the patriarch's stepping-stone from the antediluvian
+into the postdiluvian world.
+
+One more example may suffice. Go with me to the Sandwich Islands, and we
+shall get an impressive glimpse of the principal agency by which the
+earth's crust has been ridged, furrowed, and dislocated. As we land upon
+Hawaii, we perceive it to be composed mainly of lava of no very ancient
+date. We ascend a lofty _plateau_, and many a league in advance of us we
+see a column of smoke rising from a vast plain. Directing our course
+thither, while yet some miles from it, we descend a steep slope to a broad
+terrace, and then another slope to a second terrace. These slopes and
+terraces extend circularly around the pillar of smoke like the seats of a
+vast amphitheatre.
+
+Coming near to this column, our steps are arrested on the margin of a vast
+gulf, fifteen hundred feet deep, and from eight to ten miles in
+circumference, whose bottom is the seat of the most remarkable volcano on
+the globe;--I mean Kilauea. Wait here till night closes around us, and we
+shall witness a scene of awful sublimity. Over the immense area of that
+gulf will the volcanic agency beneath be exerted. Ever and anon, and
+mingling in strange discord, will hissings and groanings, mutterings and
+thunderings, be heard rolling from side to side, and making the earth
+tremble around. Then from one and another volcanic cone--perhaps from
+fifty--will the glowing lava burst forth; red-hot stones will be driven
+furiously upward; vapor, and smoke, and flames will be poured out, and the
+dark and jagged sides of that vast furnace will glow with unearthly
+splendor; and here and there will lakes of liquid lava appear, one or two
+miles in extent, heaving up their billows, and dashing their fiery spray
+high into the air. O, there is not on earth a livelier emblem of the world
+of despair; and yet we know it is not the lake which burneth with fire and
+brimstone, nor the abode of lost spirits. We know it to be only one of the
+safety-valves of our globe, and an exhibition of that mighty agency within
+the globe which has heaved and dislocated its crust; and, therefore, as we
+gaze upon the scene, and forget our fatigue and sleep, we experience only
+the emotions of awful sublimity, which can hardly fail to rise into
+adoration of that infinite Being who can say, even to this agency, Thus
+far shalt thou go, and no farther.
+
+These are samples only of those delightful emotions which he experiences,
+who possesses a taste for natural scenery. And kindred emotions will be
+awakened within him, wherever he wanders among the works of God. They form
+some of the purest and most satisfying pleasures which this world affords.
+They constitute pleasant oases along the dreary journey of life; and so
+deeply does memory engrave them on her tablet, that no change of time or
+circumstances can hide them from our view. Now, it is obvious that if the
+Author of nature and of the human soul had been malevolent, instead of
+making every thing which man meets in creation "beauty to his eye, and
+music to his ear," he would have made all offensive and painful. Instead
+of the delightful emotions of beauty and sublimity which now rise within
+us as we open our eyes upon nature, feelings of aversion and fear would
+haunt us. Every sound would have been discordant, and every sight
+terrific. He could not have been even indifferent to our happiness, when
+he commissioned those desolating agencies of nature, fire and water, to
+ridge up and furrow out the earth's surface as the groundwork of the
+future landscape. For he has taken care that the result should be a scene
+productive of pleasure only to the soul that is in a healthy state.
+Benevolence only, infinite benevolence, could have done this.
+
+_My third argument in favor of the divine benevolence is founded on the
+arrangements for the distribution of water on the globe._
+
+We should expect on so uneven a surface as the earth presents, that this
+element, which forms the liquid nourishment of all organic life, and which
+in many other ways seems indispensable, must be very unequally
+distributed, and fail entirely in many places; and yet we find it in
+almost every spot where man erects his habitation. And those places where
+there is a deficiency are usually extended plains; not, as we should
+expect, the mountainous regions. The latter are usually well watered; and
+this is accomplished in three ways. In the first place, in most
+mountainous countries, the strata are so much tilted up, as to prevent the
+water from running off. In the second place, the pervious strata are
+frequently interrupted by faults sometimes filled by impervious matter. In
+the third place, the comminuted materials that cover the rocks as soils,
+are often so fine, or of such a nature, as to prevent the passage of
+water; and thus much of the water that falls upon elevated land remains
+there, while enough percolates through the pervious materials to water the
+valleys and supply the streams. These carry it to the lakes and the ocean,
+where it is returned by evaporation in the form of clouds, and thus an
+admirable system of circulation is kept up, whereby this essential element
+is purified, and conveyed to every part of the surface where man or beast
+require it.
+
+There is one recent discovery, which deserves notice here, because it
+depends upon the geological structure of the earth. When pervious and
+impervious strata alternate, and are considerably inclined, water may be
+brought from great depths by hydrostatic pressure, if the impervious
+stratum be bored through and the water-bearing deposit be reached. A
+perpetual fountain may thus be produced, and water be obtained in a region
+naturally deficient in it. An Artesian fountain of this description, in
+the suburbs of Paris, has been brought from the enormous depth of eighteen
+hundred feet![16]
+
+Now, just consider that to deprive the earth of water is to deprive it of
+inhabitants, and you cannot but see in the means by which it is so widely,
+nay, almost universally, diffused, and made to circulate for
+purification,--the most decided marks of divine benevolence. Why is it not
+as striking as the curious means by which the blood and the sap of animals
+and plants are sent to every part of the system to supply its waste, and
+give it greater development?
+
+_I derive a fourth geological argument for the benevolence of the Deity,
+from the manner in which the metallic ores are distributed through the
+earth's crust._
+
+It can hardly be doubted, by the geologist, that nearly every part of the
+earth's crust, and its interior too, have been some time or other in a
+melted state. Now, as the metals and their ores are usually heavier than
+other rocks, we should expect that they would have accumulated at the
+centre of the globe, and have been enveloped by the rocks so as to have
+been forever inaccessible to man. And the very great weight of the central
+parts of the earth--almost twice that of granite--leads naturally to the
+conclusion that the heavier metals may be accumulated there, though this
+is by no means a certain conclusion; since at the depth of thirty-four
+miles air would be so condensed by the pressure of the superincumbent mass
+as to be as heavy as water; water at the depth of three hundred and
+sixty-two miles would become as heavy as quick-silver; and at the centre
+steel would be compressed into one fourth, and stone into one eighth, of
+its bulk at the surface. Still it is most probable that the materials
+naturally the heaviest would first seek the centre. And yet, by means of
+sublimation, and expansion by internal heat, or the segregating power of
+galvanic action, or of some other agents, enough of the metals is
+protruded towards the surface, and diffused through the rocks in beds, or
+veins, so as to be accessible to human industry. Here, then, we find
+divine benevolence, apparently in opposition to gravity, providing for
+human comfort.
+
+I have said that these metals were accessible to human industry. And it
+does require a great deal of labor, and calls into exercise man's highest
+ingenuity to obtain them. They might have been spread in immense masses
+over the surface; they might all have been reduced to a metallic state in
+the great furnace, which we have reason to suppose is always in blast,
+within the earth. But then there would have been no requisition upon the
+exertion and energy of man. And to have these called into exercise is an
+object of greater importance to society than to supply it with the metals.
+God, therefore, has so distributed the ores as to stimulate man to explore
+and reduce them, while he has placed so many difficulties in the way as to
+demand much mental and physical effort for their removal. Man now,
+therefore, receives a double benefit. While the metals themselves are of
+immense service, the discipline of body and mind requisite for obtaining
+them is of still greater value. This is the combined result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence.
+
+If I mistake not, there is such a relation between the amount of useful
+metals and the wants of society as could have resulted only from divine
+benevolence. The metal most widely diffused, and the only one occurring in
+all the rock formations, from the oldest to the newest, is iron;--the
+metal by far the most important to civilized society. This is also by far
+the most abundant, and easily obtained. It often forms extensive beds, or
+even mountain masses upon the surface. All the other metals are confined
+almost exclusively to the older rocks. Among them, lead, copper, and zinc
+are probably most needed, and accordingly they are next in quantity and in
+the facility with which they may be explored. Manganese, mercury, chrome,
+antimony, cobalt, arsenic, and bismuth are more difficult to obtain; but
+the supply is always equal to the demand. In the case of tin, silver,
+platinum, and gold, we find some interesting properties to compensate in a
+great measure for their scarcity. Gold and platinum possess a remarkable
+power of resisting those powerful agents of chemical change which destroy
+every thing else. They are never oxidized in the earth, and with a very
+few exceptions, the most powerful reagents leave them untouched, while
+platinum will not yield in the most powerful heat of the furnace. Gold,
+silver, and tin are capable of an astonishing extension, whereby they may
+be spread over the surface of the more abundant metals to protect and
+adorn them; and since the discovery of the galvanic mode of accomplishing
+this, so easily is it done, that I know not but a gold or silver surface
+is to become as common as metallic articles.
+
+_My fifth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the joint and desolating effects of ice and water upon the earth's
+surface, both before and after man's creation._
+
+In northern countries, and perhaps in high southern latitudes, it seems
+that after the deposition of the tertiary rocks, and after the surface had
+assumed essentially its present shape, it was subjected for a long time to
+a powerful agency, whereby the rough and salient parts were worn down and
+rounded, the rocks in place smoothed and furrowed, valleys scooped out,
+huge blocks of stone transported far from the parent bed, piled up, and
+thick accumulations of bowlders, sand, and gravel, strewn promiscuously
+over the surface. At the commencement of this process, the ocean, probably
+loaded with ice, stood above a large part of the present continents. It
+soon began to subside, or the land to rise, and a more quiet action
+succeeded. The joint action of the ocean and the glaciers on the land
+ground down into sand, clay, and loam, the coarser drift, and sorted it in
+the form of beaches, terraces, and alluvial deposits. All this while, both
+the land and the water seem to have been, for the most part, destitute of
+inhabitants. But these were the very processes needed for man and his
+contemporary races, who were to appear during the latter part of the
+pleistocene period. In other words, the soils were thus got ready for
+nourishing the vegetation necessary to sustain the new creation, which
+would convert these desolate and deserted sea-beds into regions of
+fertility and happiness to teeming millions.
+
+Now, just consider what must have been the effect of these mighty aqueous
+and glacial agencies upon the earth's surface. Over the level regions they
+strewed the finer materials; and where the rocks had been thrown up into
+ridges and displaced by numerous fissures, or subsequently worn into
+bluffs and precipices by the ocean, it needed just such an agency to
+smooth down those irregularities, to fill up those gulfs, to give to the
+hills and valleys a graceful outline, and to cover all the surface with
+those comminuted materials that would need only cultivation to make them a
+fertile soil. Some rocks do, indeed, decompose and form soils; but this
+process would be too slow, unless in moist and warm regions, where it is
+easier to find a footing for plants than in climes more uncongenial to
+their growth. We cannot then hesitate to regard this tremendous agency of
+ice and water in northern and high southern regions as decidedly
+beneficial in its influence. It must, indeed, have spread terrible
+destruction over those regions. But it seems that a time was chosen for
+its operation when the globe was almost destitute of organic life, and not
+long before the time when a new and nobler creation than those previously
+occupying the earth was to be placed upon it. Desolating as this agency
+must have appeared, and actually was, at the time, yet who can doubt, when
+we see the ultimate fruits of it, that its origin was divine benevolence?
+
+In the ultimate results of aqueous inundations at the present day, we can
+trace the same benevolent design. Those floods do, indeed, produce partial
+evils; nay, life, as well as property, often falls a prey to them. But
+they produce those alluvial soils which are more prolific of vegetation
+than any other on the globe. Who has not heard of the fertility of the
+banks of the Nile, the Niger, the Ganges, the Amazon, and the Mississippi?
+all of them the fruit of inundations. Truly, such floods as these may be
+said _to clap their hands_ in praise of the divine goodness.
+
+_My sixth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the existence of volcanoes._
+
+The first impression made on the mind by the history of volcanic action
+is, that its effects are examples rather of vindictive justice than of
+benevolence. And such is the light in which they are regarded by Mr.
+Gisborne, an able English divine, in his "Testimony of Natural to Revealed
+Religion." He looks, indeed, upon all the disturbances that have taken
+place in the earth's crust as evidence of a fallen condition of the world,
+as mementoes of a former penal infliction upon a guilty race. And aside
+from the light which geology casts upon the subject, this would be a not
+improbable conclusion. Take for an example the case of volcanoes and
+earthquakes.
+
+A volcano is an opening made in the earth's crust by internal heat, which
+has forced melted or heated matter through the vent. An earthquake is the
+effect of the confined gases and vapors, produced by the heat upon the
+crust. When the volcano, therefore, gets vent, the earthquake always
+ceases. But the latter has generally been more destructive of life and
+property than the former. Where one city has been destroyed by lava, like
+Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Stabiæ, twenty have been shaken down by the
+rocking and heaving of earthquakes. The records of ancient as well as
+modern times abound with examples of these tremendous catastrophes.
+Preëminent on the list is the city of Antioch. Imagine the inhabitants of
+that great city, crowded with strangers on a festival occasion, suddenly
+arrested on a calm day, by the earth heaving and rocking beneath their
+feet; and in a few moments two hundred and fifty thousand of them are
+buried by falling houses, or the earth opening and swallowing them up.
+Such was the scene which that city presented in the year 526; and several
+times before and since that period has the like calamity fallen upon it;
+and twenty, forty, and sixty thousand of its inhabitants have been
+destroyed at each time. In the year 17 after Christ, no less than thirteen
+cities of Asia Minor were in like manner overwhelmed in a single night.
+Think of the terrible destruction that came upon Lisbon in 1755. The sun
+had just dissipated the fog in a warm, calm morning, when suddenly the
+subterranean thundering and heaving began; and in six minutes the city was
+a heap of ruins, and sixty thousand of the inhabitants were numbered among
+the dead. Hundreds had crowded upon a new quay surrounded by vessels. In a
+moment the earth opened beneath them, and the wharf, the vessels, and the
+crowd went down into its bosom; the gulf closed, the sea rolled over the
+spot, and no vestige of wharf, vessels, or man ever floated to the
+surface. How thrilling is the account left us by Kircher, who was near, of
+the destruction of Euphemia, in Calabria, a city of about five thousand
+inhabitants, in the year 1638! "After some time," says he, "the violent
+paroxysm of the earthquake ceasing, I stood up, and, turning my eyes to
+look for Euphemia, saw only a frightful black cloud. We waited till it had
+passed away, when nothing but a dismal and putrid lake was to be seen
+where the city once stood." In like manner did Port Royal, in the West
+Indies, sink beneath the waters, with nearly all its inhabitants, in less
+than one minute, in the year 1692.
+
+Still more awful, though usually less destructive, is often the scene
+presented by a volcanic eruption. Imagine yourselves, for instance, upon
+one of the wide, elevated plains of Mexico, far from the fear of
+volcanoes. The earth begins to quake under your feet, and the most
+alarming subterranean noises admonish you of a mighty power within the
+earth that must soon have vent. You flee to the surrounding mountains in
+time to look back and see ten square miles of the plain swell up, like a
+bladder, to the height of five hundred feet, while numerous smaller cones
+rise from the surface still higher, and emit smoke; and in their midst,
+six mountains are thrown up to the height, some of them at least, of
+sixteen hundred feet, and pour forth melted lava, turning rivers out of
+their course, and spreading terrific desolation over a late fertile plain,
+and forever excluding its former inhabitants. Such was the eruption, by
+which Jorullo, in Mexico, was suddenly thrown up, in 1759.
+
+Still more terrific have been some of the eruptions in Iceland. In 1783,
+earthquakes of tremendous power shook the whole island, and flames burst
+forth from the ocean. In June these ceased, and Skaptar Jokul opened its
+mouth; nor did it close till it had poured forth two streams of lava, one
+sixty miles long, twelve miles broad, and the other forty miles long, and
+seven broad, and both with an average thickness of one hundred feet.
+During that summer the inhabitants saw the sun no more, and all Europe was
+covered with a haze.
+
+Around the Papandayang, one of the loftiest mountains in Java, no less
+than forty villages were reposing in peace. But in August, 1772, a
+remarkable luminous cloud enveloping its top aroused them from their
+security. But it was too late. For at once the mountain began to sink into
+the earth, and soon it had disappeared with the forty villages, and most
+of the inhabitants, over a space fifteen miles long and six broad.
+
+Still more extraordinary--the most remarkable on record--was an eruption
+in Sumbawa, one of the Molucca Islands, in 1815. It began on the fifth day
+of April, and did not cease till July. The explosions were heard in one
+direction nine hundred and seventy miles, and in another seven hundred and
+twenty miles. So heavy was the fall of ashes at the distance of forty
+miles that houses were crushed and destroyed. The floating cinders in the
+ocean, hundreds of miles distant, were two feet thick, and vessels were
+forced through them with difficulty. The darkness in Java, three hundred
+miles distant, was deeper than the blackest night; and finally, out of the
+twelve thousand inhabitants of the island, only twenty-six survived the
+catastrophe.
+
+Now, if we confine our views to such facts as these, we can hardly avoid
+the conclusion that earthquakes and volcanoes are terrific exhibitions of
+God's displeasure towards a fallen and guilty world. But if it can be
+shown that the volcanic agency exerts a salutary influence in preserving
+the globe from ruin, nay, is essential to such preservation, we must
+regard its incidental destruction of property and life as no evidence of a
+vindictive infliction, nor of the want of benevolence in its operation.
+And the remarkable proofs which modern geology has presented of vast
+accumulations of heated and melted matter beneath the earth's crust, do
+make such an agent as volcanoes essential to the preservation of the
+globe. In order to make out this position, I shall not contend that all
+the earth's interior, beneath fifty or one hundred miles, is in a state of
+fusion. For even the most able and decided of those geologists who object
+to such an inference, admit that oceans of melted matter do exist beneath
+the surface. And if so, how liable would vast accumulations of heat be, if
+there were no safety-valves through the crust, to rend asunder even a
+whole continent? Volcanoes are those safety-valves, and more than two
+hundred of them are scattered over the earth's surface, forming vent-holes
+into the heated interior. Most of them, indeed, have the valves loaded,
+and the effort of the confined gases and vapors to lift the load produces
+the terrific phenomena of earthquakes and volcanoes. But if no such
+passages into the interior existed, what could prevent the pent-up gases
+from accumulating till they had gained strength enough to rend a whole
+continent, and perhaps the whole globe, into fragments? Is it not, then,
+benevolence by which this agency prevents so dreadful a catastrophe, even
+by means that bring some incidental evils along with them?
+
+Some able writers do, indeed, object to the idea that volcanoes are
+safety-valves to the globe, deriving their objections from certain facts
+respecting the position of volcanic craters in the Sandwich Islands, if I
+do not misrecollect. Without going into the details of that case, for want
+of time and space, it seems to me that the facts respecting the connection
+between earthquakes and volcanoes, admitted by all, will justify such a
+view of the latter as is expressed by the term "safety-valves." For
+earthquakes are but the incipient effects of the volcanic force within the
+globe; and if these effects have been so terrible at the beginning, what
+must be the full exhibition of that force, if not able to find a passage
+for the struggling gases and lava through the strata above them? Who can
+say that it might not rend a continent asunder, and, if deep enough
+seated, even the whole globe?
+
+The question will undoubtedly be asked by every reflecting mind, why
+infinite wisdom and benevolence could not have devised a plan for securing
+the good resulting from volcanoes and earthquakes without the attendant
+evils. The same question meets us at almost every step of our examination
+of the present system of the world. For we every where meet with evil,
+incidentally connected with agencies whose predominant effects are
+beneficial. I incline to the opinion, that the true answer to this
+question is, that the evil is permitted that thereby greater good may be
+secured to the universe. Still the subject of the origin of evil is one
+whose full solution can hardly be expected in the present world, because
+we cannot here master all its elements. When it can be solved, we can tell
+why so much desolation and suffering are permitted to accompany the
+earthquake and the volcano. But if we can show that benefits far
+outweighing the evil are the result of this terrific agency, we gather
+from it decided evidence of the divine benevolence;--the same evidence
+which we gain from any other operations of nature; for in them all there
+is only a preponderance of good, not unmixed good. The desolation of this
+fair world by volcanic agency, and especially the destruction of life, do,
+indeed, teach us that this present system of nature is adapted to a state
+of probation and death, instead of a state of rewards and immortal life.
+It is adapted to sinful and fallen beings, rather than to those who are
+perfect in holiness and in happiness. In short, it is earth, not heaven.
+It is not such a world as heaven must be, to secure unalloyed and eternal
+happiness. Nevertheless, benevolence decidedly predominates in the
+arrangements of the present system, even in the desolating agency under
+consideration. I do not deny that God may sometimes employ this agency, as
+he may every other in nature, for the punishment of the guilty. But before
+we infer that this is the general use and design of volcanoes and
+earthquakes, we should ponder well the questions put by our Savior _to
+some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with
+their sacrifices_. _Suppose ye_, answered the Savior, _that these
+Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such
+things? I tell you nay. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam
+fell and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that
+dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay._ Let us follow the example of Jesus
+Christ, and take a more enlarged view of these startling and distressing
+events. Let us inquire whether they are not the incidental effects of
+agencies essential to the permanence and happiness of the great system of
+the universe. This is certainly the case in regard to volcanoes. We have
+strong reason to believe that they are essential to the preservation of
+the globe; and of how much higher consequence is this than the
+comparatively small amount of property and life which they destroy! If we
+can only rise to these higher views, and not suffer our judgment to be
+warped by the immediate terrors of the earthquake and the volcano, we
+shall see the smile of infinite benevolence where most men see only the
+wrath of an offended Deity.
+
+_My seventh geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the manner in which coal, rock salt, marble, gypsum, and other valuable
+materials were prepared for the use of man, long before his existence._
+
+If a created and intelligent being from some other sphere had alighted on
+this globe during that remote period when the vegetation now dug out of
+the coal formation covered the surface with its gigantic growth, he might
+have felt as if here was a waste of creative power. Vast forests of
+sigillaria, lepidodendra, coniferæ, cycadeæ, and tree ferns would have
+waved over his head, with their imposing though sombre foliage, while the
+lesser tribes of calamites and equisetaceæ would have filled the
+intervening spaces; but no vertebral animal would have been there to
+enjoy and enliven the almost universal solitude. Why, then, he must have
+inquired, is there such a profusion of vegetable forms, and such a
+colossal development of individual plants? To what use can such vast
+forests be applied? But let ages roll by, and that same being revisit our
+world at the present time. Let him traverse the little Island of Britain,
+and see there fifteen thousand steam engines moved by coal dug out of the
+earth, and produced by these same ancient forests. Let him see these
+engines performing the work of two millions of men, and moving machinery
+which accomplishes what would require the unaided labors of three or four
+hundred millions of men, and he could not doubt but such a result was one
+of the objects of that rank vegetation which covered the earth ere it was
+fit for the residence of such natures as now dwell upon it. Let him go to
+the coal fields of other countries, and especially those of the United
+States, stretching over one hundred and fifty thousand square miles,
+containing a quantity absolutely inexhaustible, and already imparting
+comfort to millions of the inhabitants, and giving life and energy to
+every variety of manufacture through the almost entire length of this
+country, and destined to pour out their wealth through all coming time,
+long after the forests shall all have been levelled,--and irresistible
+must be the conviction upon his mind, that here is a beautiful example of
+prospective benevolence on the part of the Deity. In those remote ages,
+while yet the earth was unfitted for the higher races of animals that now
+dwell upon it, it was eminently adapted to nourish that gigantic flora
+which would produce the future fuel of the human race, when that crown of
+all God's works should be placed upon the earth. Ere that time, those
+forests must sink beneath the ocean, be buried beneath deposits of rock
+thousands of feet thick. But during all that period, all those chemical
+changes which are essential to convert them into coal would be
+accomplished, and, at last, man would find access, by his ingenuity and
+industry, to the deep-seated beds whence his fuel might be drawn. Nor
+would these vast repositories fail him till the consummation of all
+things. Surely there was no waste, but there was a far-reaching plan of
+benevolence in the profusion of vegetable life in the earlier periods of
+our planet.
+
+Essentially the same remark will apply to the limestone, gypsum, rock
+salt, and several other mineral products of the earth, which are almost
+indispensable to man in a civilized state. For these, too, were produced
+by slow processes, during those vast periods of duration that preceded
+man's existence. Limestone has been chiefly elaborated by the organs of
+animals, many of them of microscopic littleness. Yet lofty ranges of
+mountains and immense deposits in the intervening valleys have been the
+result. Nearly one seventh part of the crust of the globe, it has been
+said, is thus constituted of the works or remains of animals. And can we
+doubt but that these rocks are thus spread over the surface of the globe
+because they are needed by all mankind, like air and water? It must have
+been benevolence that so arranged the agencies by which they were
+produced, during the revolution of primeval ages, that they have this wide
+diffusion. Gypsum and fossil salt are more sparingly diffused; but still
+enough is always to be found to meet the demand. Nor is it reasonable to
+doubt that the same prospective goodness which provided for coal and
+limestone, commissioned other agencies to lay up a store of gypsum, salt,
+bitumen, clay, and other substances dug out of the earth for man's
+benefit.
+
+_My eighth geological argument for the divine benevolence is based upon
+the perfect adaptation of the natures of animals and plants to the varying
+condition of the globe through all the periods of its past history._
+
+The very slight changes in climate, situation, and food, that will destroy
+most species of animals and plants, is hard to be realized by man, whose
+nature will sustain very great changes of this kind. So will most of the
+animals and plants that have been domesticated by man, and which accompany
+him into every soil and climate. But the great mass of animals and plants
+would perish by such a transplantation. They are adapted to a particular
+region, often of narrow limits; and to remove them from thence, even to
+one slightly diverse, is to cause their deterioration and final
+destruction. In other words, their natures are exactly adapted to the
+place of habitation assigned them. And it must have required infinite
+wisdom thus to fit the delicate machinery of animal and vegetable
+organization to the great variety of circumstances on the globe in which
+it is placed. But we find that same wisdom to have been manifested in all
+the vast periods of organic life. We have the most unequivocal evidence
+that the condition of the earth has undergone important changes. We cannot
+examine the remarkable flora and fauna of the older rocks, the gigantic
+sauroid fishes, the huge orthoceratites and ammonites, the heteroclitic
+trilobites, and the strange sigillaria and lepidodendra, calamites and
+asterophyllites, the lofty coniferæ, and the anomalous cycadeæ,--we cannot
+examine these without realizing that a state of the globe very different
+from the present must have existed when they had possession of it. And
+when we contemplate also the enormous saurians and batrachians of the
+middle secondary rocks, and the colossal quadrupeds of the tertiary
+strata, we cannot doubt that a tropical or an ultra-tropical climate must
+have prevailed in high northern latitudes during their existence. We
+perceive that there has been a gradual decrease of temperature on the
+surface from the earliest times. In each successive race of organized
+beings which have been placed on the globe, there must have been,
+therefore, some change of constitution to adapt them to the altered state
+of the climate and productions of the earth. And we find this alteration
+to have been always made with consummate skill, so as to secure the most
+complete development of organic beings, and the greatest enjoyment to
+sensitive natures. Malevolence would not have done this; for it might with
+infinite knowledge at command, have filled each successive period of the
+world with natures unadapted to the mutable condition of things, capable,
+indeed, of a prolonged existence, not to enjoy, but only to suffer. But
+infinite benevolence was fitting up this world by slow secondary agencies
+for the elevated races which now occupy it, especially for one species,
+rational and immortal; and it lavished its kindness and wisdom by filling
+the world, during those preparatory ages, with multitudes of happy beings,
+fitted exactly to each altered condition of the air, the water, and the
+soil.
+
+_My ninth and last geological argument for the divine benevolence is
+founded upon the permanence and security of the world, in spite of the
+mighty changes it has undergone, and the powerful agencies to which it is
+now subject._
+
+When we learn from the records of geology, as they are inscribed upon the
+rocks, how numerous and thorough have been the revolutions of the surface
+and the crust of the globe in past ages; how often and how long the
+present dry land has been alternately above and beneath the ocean; how
+frequently the crust of the globe has been fractured, bent, and
+dislocated,--now lifted upward, and now thrown downward, and now folded
+by lateral pressure; how frequently melted matter has been forced through
+its strata and through its fissures to the surface; in short, how every
+particle of the accessible portions of the globe has undergone entire
+metamorphoses; and especially when we recollect what strong evidence there
+is that oceans of liquid matter exist beneath the solid crust, and that
+probably the whole interior of the earth is in that condition, with
+expansive energy sufficient to rend the globe into fragments,--when we
+review all these facts, we cannot but feel that the condition of the
+surface of the globe must be one of great insecurity and liability to
+change. But it is not so. On the contrary, the present state of the globe
+is one of permanent uniformity and entire security, except those
+comparatively slight catastrophes which result from earthquakes,
+volcanoes, and local deluges. Even the climate has experienced no general
+change within historic times, and the profound mathematical researches of
+Baron Fourier have demonstrated that, even though the internal parts of
+the globe are in an incandescent state, beneath a crust thirty or forty
+miles, the temperature at the surface has long since ceased to be affected
+by the melted central mass; that it is not now more than one seventeenth
+of a degree higher than it would be if the interior were ice; and that
+hundreds of thousands of years will not see it lowered, from this cause,
+more than the seventeenth part of a degree. And as to the apprehension
+that the entire crust of the globe may be broken through, and fall into
+the melted matter beneath, just reflect what solidity and strength there
+must be in a mass of hard rock from fifty to one hundred miles in
+thickness, and your fears of such a catastrophe will probably vanish.
+
+Now, such a uniformity of climate and security from general ruin are
+essential to the comfort and existence of animal nature. But it must have
+required infinite wisdom and benevolence so to arrange and balance the
+mighty elements of change and ruin which exist in the earth, that they
+should hold one another in check, and make the world a quiet, unchanged,
+and secure dwelling-place for so many thousands of years. Surely that
+wisdom must have been guided by infinite benevolence. And it would seem
+from geology that the same union of wisdom and benevolence have always
+arranged the past conditions of the earth. For, during each of the periods
+of organic existence, uniformity and security seem to have prevailed so
+long as the purposes of the Deity required. In early times, indeed, when
+animals were mostly confined to the waters, it was not necessary that the
+dry land should be as exempt as at present from catastrophes; and probably
+they were then more frequent; and it may be that, while there were
+uniformity and security in one portion of the globe, or in one element,
+there might have been disturbance and desolation in others. And it is
+doubtful whether such general quiet has ever prevailed for so long a time
+as during the present, or historic period. We see a reason for this in the
+fact that never before were so many animals in existence, with a structure
+so delicate and complicated.
+
+Such are the evidences of divine benevolence, drawn from a field at first
+view most unpromising. And yet, when we come to look beyond the surface,
+where do we find more decisive or more numerous indications of God's
+beneficence? They are not like many hasty generalizations, which
+superficial examination has often brought from natural phenomena in proof
+of this same truth, but which, although beautiful at first view, must be
+abandoned upon careful research. But these, though repulsive at first,
+gain solidity and beauty by examination. And they are the more interesting
+because they come from an unexpected quarter. Men have been accustomed to
+search among the drift piled up by water and ice, among dislocated and
+rent strata of rocks, among mountains overturned and fields made desolate
+by volcanic eruptions, for the mementoes of penal inflictions; but they
+have not imagined that divine benevolence might be seen among these
+disturbances and desolations; and that simply because they confined their
+views to the immediate effect of geological agencies, and did not enlarge
+their views to take in their connection with the great system of the
+universe. But now that we find the stamp of benevolence even here, we
+learn an instructive lesson. Every reflecting mind is aware that the
+doctrine of divine benevolence lies at the foundation of all natural and
+revealed religion, and that until this be established we labor in vain to
+erect a superstructure. It is well known, also, that the existence of
+natural and moral evil has been considered a strong objection to this
+great truth. Now, geology furnishes us with many examples, in which
+agencies, often fraught with terrific evils, are nevertheless eminently
+beneficial when the whole extent of their operation is taken into account.
+Why is it not a fair inference that, in all other cases where evils stand
+out prominently, they are only incidental results of some wide system of
+operations, of which our limited vision embraces only a part, but whose
+tendencies as a whole are eminently salutary, and whose incidental evils
+do, in fact, increase the salutary effects? If so, what reason have we to
+believe that, when the light of eternity shall clarify our mental eye, and
+enlarge our knowledge of the present system of the universe, we shall find
+all "partial evil to be universal good," and that our narrow views alone
+threw obscurity and difficulty over this subject in this life? O, if even
+here so many rays of divine love find their way into our narrow
+prison-house, what will be their brightness when they pour in upon us from
+the unveiled glories of the heavenly world!
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VII.
+
+DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD.
+
+
+The geological proofs of the divine benevolence considered in the last
+lecture present only a partial view of that glorious characteristic of
+Jehovah. I am tempted, therefore, to exhibit it in its more general aspect
+and broader relations. This will necessarily bring into view other
+important religious truths respecting man's fallen condition and
+character, and, as a consequence, the modified aspect of the divine
+goodness in such a world.
+
+To those destitute of a revelation this world has, indeed, ever seemed an
+inextricable maze, an enigma too dark for human wisdom to solve. Nor have
+those favored with the Bible agreed in their modes of clearing up the
+mystery. Having endeavored to explain all by following out some leading
+and favorite idea, their theories have varied as these predominant
+conceptions differed. One, for instance, fixes his gaze so intently upon
+the divine benevolence that he is blind to every manifestation of
+Jehovah's sterner attributes. Another, deeply impressed with the story of
+man's original apostasy, sees only vindictive justice, and penal
+infliction, and disordered action, in all the movements of nature and the
+trials and sufferings of man. A third, captivated by the discoveries of
+modern geology, relative to the existence of suffering and death in the
+world before man's creation, and learning, moreover, from physiology,
+that death is a general law of all organized natures, vegetable as well as
+animal, is led to doubt whether the disorders of the world have any
+important connection with man's apostasy.
+
+Now, it were easy to show that our views on these subjects have a most
+important bearing upon our entire system of theology; and, therefore, they
+deserve our most thorough and candid examination. To such an examination I
+now invite your serious attention.
+
+It is not my object to appeal to the Scriptures to prove the divine
+benevolence. That were an easy task. So, were this an unfallen world,
+every object and event would be redolent of God's goodness. But where sin
+and death abound, that goodness must assume a different aspect, since its
+unmixed manifestation would work mischief. Now, the point aimed at in this
+lecture is to ascertain whether natural religion can point out decisive
+evidence of divine benevolence. We can conceive it quite possible that in
+a fallen world God might find it necessary so to mingle displays of
+justice with those of goodness, that man might be in doubt which
+predominated.
+
+There is another reason for considering this subject apart from scriptural
+evidence. We need to establish the doctrine of divine benevolence as a
+basis on which to rest the evidences of inspiration; or, rather, we want
+to be able to assume God's benevolence, in arguing for the truth of the
+Bible, and in judging of its contents. This doctrine, therefore, is one of
+the most important, as it is certainly the most difficult, in natural
+theology.
+
+Obviously the first step in this investigation must be to ascertain what
+is the real state of this world, as a manifestation of the benevolence and
+justice of God. In other words, we need to ascertain what exhibitions of
+these attributes are presented to us in nature, and in the economy of
+Providence, and how much of the evil in the world is to be imputed to
+man's perversion of the gifts of God. I shall proceed, therefore, to state
+the main points on this subject which fair and candid reasoning seems to
+me to sustain. When these points are before us, with a summary of the
+evidence by which they are supported, we shall be prepared to deduce
+important conclusions respecting God's character and dispensations, and
+man's position and destiny.
+
+_In the first place, then, I maintain that benevolence decidedly
+predominates in the present system of the world._
+
+Let this proposition be fully understood. It does not mean that there is
+no mixture of evil in the operations of nature, but only that good
+decidedly overbalances the evil. And by the operations of nature I mean
+those processes resulting from natural laws, which are uninfluenced by the
+perverseness of man. How much of evil may be imputed to his perversion of
+the gifts of Providence will be considered in another place, as will also
+those cases in which evil seems inseparable from the original arrangements
+of the world. All that I am now concerned to prove is, that, in a vast
+majority of instances, we see the marks of benevolent design and
+benevolent operation in the arrangements of nature.
+
+This position is established, in the first place, by the fact that the
+design of every natural contrivance is to produce happiness.
+
+To show that such is the case, by an appeal to facts, would be, in truth,
+to write the history of every natural process, and show its design. But it
+will be sufficient to consider only such cases as appear most decidedly to
+militate against my position, and to show that even these are not
+designed to cause evil or suffering.
+
+How does it happen, then, you may inquire, that evil is the result of a
+multitude of contrivances and processes in nature? It is an incidental
+effect, I answer; that is, an effect happening aside from the main design
+of the contrivance. Take a few illustrations.
+
+No one can doubt that the law of gravity is essential to the preservation
+and comfort of the world, and to the harmonious motions of the heavenly
+bodies. Yet how often does it give rise to frightful accidents to men and
+animals! But when they are crushed by falling bodies, or by falling
+themselves, who imagines this to be the design of gravitation? How clear
+that its real object is beneficial, and that the evil resulting from it is
+unavoidable in a world constituted like ours! Why the world is not
+constituted differently, is an inquiry which men may try to answer; but an
+answer is not important to my present object.
+
+Take an example from the organic world. Every one is aware that without a
+nervous system in animals there would be no sensibility, nor sensation,
+and, of course, no enjoyment; and without these, animals would be
+unconscious of danger, and would not guard against it, nor withdraw from
+it. We are sure, therefore, that these two objects are the grand design of
+the nervous system, and, of course, it is a benevolent design. But the
+nervous system causes a great deal of suffering as well as pleasure.
+Obviously, however, this is only an incidental effect, which could not be
+prevented without a miracle; while the main design is to produce happiness
+and guard against evil.
+
+It may be asked, however, by what principle we can determine what is the
+design of a contrivance, and what the incidental effect. Why select a
+part of the effects, and call them the object aimed at by the contriver,
+while we regard others as incidental, and merely permitted, not intended?
+
+The principle on which we make this distinction is very clear. We judge of
+the design of a contrivance by its predominant tendencies and effects. If
+evil as often results as good, misery as often as happiness, we could not
+decide whether the design was benevolent or malevolent, or an indifference
+to both. But the benevolent tendency and effects of every natural
+contrivance are so obvious, and so immensely outweigh all its evil
+results, that we are compelled to admit the design of the Author of nature
+to be benevolent. And, therefore, when we see evil occasionally result
+from such contrivances, we are authorized to say that this is only an
+incidental effect; not, indeed, wholly undesigned, for we cannot doubt
+that God has a design in the permission of all evil. But for each
+particular arrangement and movement in nature we can discover a
+predominant and benevolent object.
+
+Take another example from the human frame. In that frame we find a
+multitude of organs, nearly all of which are obviously adapted to a
+particular use. Now, the anatomist cannot lay his finger upon one of them,
+and say, This was intended to produce derangement and suffering in the
+system. Here is a muscle contrived to clog the operations of its
+neighbors; here a blood-vessel adapted to corrupt the blood and produce
+disease; here a gland whose object is to secrete a poisonous fluid, to
+contaminate the whole system; here a nerve made to produce pain; here a
+plexus of vessels suited to bring on disease. On the contrary, this
+anatomist perceives at once that all the organs of the animal system, and
+their collocation, are fitted in the best possible manner to produce
+health. It is obvious at a glance that this is their design.
+
+But if such be the fact, how happens it that so few persons pass through
+life without disease? Is it all to be imputed to an abuse and perversion
+of the organs and powers of life? Not so, in my opinion. But those organs
+are all liable to disease; and when we see how delicate and complicated
+they are, we ought not to wonder that even the unavoidable causes of
+derangement should often bring it on. Yet, after all, health is the rule
+and the object, and disease only the exception. But I shall say more on
+this subject in another part of the argument.
+
+Some one, however, who hears me, has doubtless ere this had his thoughts
+recur to the organs of carnivorous animals, the poisonous fangs of
+serpents, and the organs of the scorpion, the tarantula, and of insects,
+for the generation and protrusion of deadly poison. Here we have organs
+expressly provided for the destruction of other animals. That such is
+their design, no physiologist can doubt; and hence they are intended to
+produce suffering, and not happiness.
+
+Is this an exactly correct statement of the case? True, suffering is the
+result of such organs; but the arrangement is intended to accomplish still
+higher purposes. The leading one is to procure food for sustenance, the
+other is self-defence. Both of these are essential to the animal's
+continued existence. That suffering should be incidentally connected with
+instruments or organs so important, is no more difficult to explain than
+is the existence of evil any where. The object even of these contrivances,
+then, is beneficial. And if so, I know of no other example in nature so
+seemingly adverse to the position I have laid down, that the main object
+of every natural contrivance is benevolent in its origin and results. If
+this be so, how clearly does it indicate the character of the contriver to
+be benevolent!
+
+My second argument is derived from the fact that the organic functions
+often produce pleasure where suffering was just as consistent with their
+most perfect action; or I might say that such are the arrangements of the
+natural world, that pleasure often results to sentient beings from its
+operations, when they might have been as perfectly performed with the
+production of pain. A few illustrations will render the meaning of this
+position obvious.
+
+As we look abroad upon nature, one of the most striking traits we discover
+is its unbounded variety. With the Psalmist we involuntarily exclaim, _O
+Lord, how manifold are thy works!_ It is not merely variety as to form,
+texture, attitude, and arrangement; but who can describe the countless
+tints of coloring which are spread over the heavens and the earth? Now,
+there is in the human soul an aptitude to be pleased with variety; nay,
+there is a craving for it. Nor can there be a more terrible infliction
+than unvarying monotony and sameness of appearance, arrangement, and
+action. If, therefore, the Creator had been malevolent, or indifferent to
+the happiness of man and other sentient beings, he might have gratified
+this disposition most perfectly by giving to the human soul its present
+love of variety, and then spreading over the face of nature a dead
+uniformity of figure, position, arrangement, and coloring; forming every
+thing upon the same model. And this might have been done without impairing
+at all the perfect operation of all her laws that are essential. Every
+thing might have been as systematic and harmonious as it now is; but
+sentient beings would have been miserable; and this must have been
+supremely gratifying to infinite malevolence. He might also have so
+constructed the organs of hearing, sight, and smell, that every sound
+might have been ungrateful and grating, every odor repulsive, and every
+prospect disgusting. While hunger would have urged animals, as it now
+does, to seek food, its reception might have been painful, or utterly void
+of gustatory enjoyment. So in regard to social enjoyments; we might have
+been irresistibly drawn towards our fellow-men, and yet their society
+might have been hateful in the extreme.
+
+Had such a state of things existed, how very clearly we should have
+inferred the malevolence of the Author of nature! Or if such a state had
+been witnessed about as often as its opposite, we might reasonably have
+said that he was indifferent to the happiness of his creatures. Why, then,
+may we not, with equal reason, infer his benevolence, when we find, in a
+vast majority of cases,--nay, for aught I know, universally,--that
+pleasure is superadded to animal enjoyment where it was wholly unnecessary
+to the perfect operation of nature's laws?
+
+The fact is, God has made all nature "beauty to our eye and music to our
+ear," when it was wholly unnecessary for the perfect operation of her
+laws; and the inference is irresistible, that he delights in the happiness
+of his creatures. Nor can the fact that evil exists in the world destroy
+the force of this argument, unless that evil is so general as to be
+obviously the design of the Creator in devising and arranging the system
+of the world. While we admit its existence, we say that it is only
+incidental, and that pleasure is so often superadded unnecessarily, as to
+prove happiness to be the design, and evil the exception.
+
+The two arguments above presented are the evidence on which Dr. Paley
+relies to prove the divine benevolence. They are, indeed, as it seems to
+me, unanswerable. But if I mistake not, they do by no means exhaust the
+storehouse of nature's proofs of this fundamental principle of natural
+and revealed religion. I derive a third argument for the predominance of
+benevolence in the works of nature from the variety of means often
+provided for the performance of important functions; so that animals and
+plants can adapt themselves to different circumstances, and prolong their
+existence.
+
+The examples which I have in mind to illustrate this argument are all
+derived from the organic world. I refer, for instance, to the fact that
+nearly all our muscles, and many other important organs, as the hands, the
+feet, the eyes, and the lungs, are in pairs, so that if one meets with an
+injury, or is destroyed, the other can, to some extent, perform the office
+of both. The brain has two hemispheres, and one of them may be seriously
+wounded without destroying the healthy action of the other.
+
+But perhaps the most appropriate example is in the blood-vessels, whose
+inosculations are so numerous that even though large arteries and veins be
+tied, the blood will find its way through the smaller ones, which
+ultimately will so enlarge as to keep up the circulation nearly as well as
+before the injury. And, in fact, almost every one of the large
+blood-vessels has been tied by the surgeon with little ultimate injury to
+the patient.
+
+In the process of deglutition, or swallowing the nourishment essential to
+the existence of all the more perfect animals,--since the food and the air
+for respiration pass for a time through a common opening, the pharynx,--it
+is extremely important that the passage to the lungs should be most
+vigilantly guarded; since strangulation would follow the introduction
+there of any thing but air. Accordingly, the entrance of the glottis is so
+sensitive, that the approach of the food causes it to close. But lest this
+security should sometimes fail, we have an additional guard in the
+epiglottis, which shuts down like a valve upon the orifice. Even with this
+double precaution, strangulation sometimes follows the act of deglutition.
+How much oftener would it occur, had not benevolence thus multiplied its
+vigilant sentinels at the point of danger!
+
+Another illustration of this argument lies in the fact, that many of the
+organs of animals and plants possess the power, when an exigency requires
+it, of greatly increasing their action. When, for instance, an unusual
+quantity of osseous matter is requisite to repair a broken bone, the
+glands, whose office it is to elaborate that matter, are capable of
+secreting an extraordinary quantity, until the injury is repaired.
+
+Of an analogous character is the sympathy existing between the different
+organs, so that when one has an unusual amount of labor to perform, the
+rest impart of their nervous energy to sustain their overtasked companion.
+Thus, and thus only, could animals be carried through many of the severe
+exigencies of their existence. Their organs help one another, just as if
+they were conscious of one another's necessities, and were prompted by
+benevolence to aid the weakest.
+
+In like manner, some of the organs possess the power of vicarious
+secretion; that is, of producing, in peculiar circumstances, secretions
+that are usually made by other glands. How they can do this, and how they
+can know when to do it, are among the mysteries of physiology.
+Nevertheless, the object of this arrangement is most obvious, viz., the
+continuance of health and life in spite of accidents, which would
+otherwise prove fatal.
+
+The same vicarious system is manifest in the well-known examples, where
+the loss of one or more of the senses gives increased acuteness to the
+rest. The sense of touch, for instance, in the blind man, has sometimes
+proved no mean substitute for eyes; and, indeed, any of the senses by
+cultivation, in peculiar exigencies, may be prodigiously strengthened.
+
+Now, in all these cases, where the vicarious principle is brought into
+operation, or sympathy concentrates the power of many organs in one, or
+the loss of one organ or sense quickens the sensibility of the rest, do we
+not recognize the prospective care and kindness of infinite benevolence?
+Do you say that it merely shows infinite wisdom, which adjusts means to
+ends with consummate skill, in order to be sure of success in its designs?
+Why, then, I inquire, should these provisions for trying exigencies in the
+animal system always tend to the happiness of the creature? Surely there
+were other means at the command of infinite wisdom for securing the
+existence of the animal, which would bring misery upon it instead of
+happiness. The benevolent tendency of the design, therefore, proves the
+benevolent feelings of the designer.
+
+The extraordinary provisions that are made in some cases for the
+multiplication of animals and plants, in order to prevent the extinction
+of any races, and to give life and happiness to as many animals as can be
+sustained, is another indication of benevolent care on the part of the
+Creator. Not less than five modes of reproduction are known to exist,
+viz., the viviparous, the ovo-viviparous, the oviparous, the gemmiparous,
+and the fissiparous; and among the lowest families of animals several of
+these modes exist in the same species, so that their extinction, or even
+deficient multiplication, is scarcely possible.
+
+The same benevolence is manifested in the power possessed by animals and
+plants to adapt themselves to different circumstances. Often are they
+thrown into conditions widely diverse as to food, temperature, and
+exposure to chemical and mechanical agencies, with no possibility on their
+part of avoiding them. This is eminently true of man; and were not animals
+able to adapt themselves to these various states, they must perish. True,
+there are limits to this adaptation; but they are wide enough to
+accomplish the great purposes of existence, and to make us comfortable and
+happy amid great changes in our condition. Nor is this power of adaptation
+among animals limited to their physical nature. Their mental habits admit
+of an oscillation equally wide, so that, ere long, we become happy in a
+condition which at first was painful in the extreme. New habits take the
+place of the old ones so gradually that we scarcely realize the change.
+
+Now, if this power were not possessed in such a world as ours, could
+organic natures not bend at all to circumstances, constant suffering and
+premature dissolution would be the result. The power of adaptation,
+therefore, looks like the benevolent provision of a kind Father, who
+wishes to make his creatures as happy as he can in the circumstances in
+which his wisdom has placed them. Certainly, malevolence, or indifference
+to their happiness, would not have introduced this power of adaptation
+into their natures; for it is certain that their continued existence might
+have been secured in some other way, had no reference been had to their
+happiness.
+
+I base my fourth argument for the predominance of benevolence, in the
+arrangements of nature, upon the aggregate results of the most destructive
+and terrific agencies which she employs.
+
+The immediate effects of these agencies are often so appalling and so
+unmixed with good, that men view them only as penal inflictions; or, when
+the sufferers are unconscious of guilt, as mysterious dispensations of
+evil, which need the light of another world to reconcile with infinite
+benevolence. When the tornado or sirocco's hot breath sweeps over the
+devoted land; when the river overflows its banks, and ingulfs the
+defenceless inhabitants along its course, or the giant waves of the ocean
+roll in upon the devoted shore; when the heaving earthquake overturns in a
+moment vast cities, and the earth swallows them in its bosom; or when the
+volcano pours out its suffocating smoke and its scorching lava, and
+obliterates from earth the defenceless town, as once Herculaneum and
+Pompeii were converted into petrified cities,--in the midst of such
+desolating agencies, where can we discover a gleam of benevolence? Not
+surely in the immediate effects. But suppose the tornado, the flood, the
+earthquake, and the volcano are essential to the preservation of the earth
+from a far wider ruin, so that, in fact, while they destroy some property
+and life, they preserve a far greater amount, and are essential to such
+preservation,--why is it not benevolence that gives a slight play to these
+terrific elements, while it checks their wild war so soon as the requisite
+security has been obtained? When the storm has sufficiently purified the
+atmosphere, when the flood has enriched the wide alluvial fields, and the
+earthquake and the volcano have given vent to the pent-up fires in the
+earth, so that they no longer threaten to rend a continent asunder, then a
+restraining power is put upon them, and they are allowed no more range
+than is essential to the general good. We may not, indeed, see why the
+good could not be secured without the evil. But this question leads to the
+inquiry, whether the present system of the universe is the best possible;
+and that it is so we have the guaranty of the divine perfections. Those
+perfections admit the existence of evil; but at the same time they take
+care that the aggregate result of the greatest evils should be beneficial.
+
+Nor would we limit this position to evils springing out of the nature or
+the changes of the inanimate world; for some of the severest evils are
+dependent upon the organization or operation of animate nature. Man, for
+instance, finds himself often grossly annoyed by some species of the
+inferior animals, in his comfort, property, and even life. And he wonders
+why infinite wisdom and benevolence should permit certain species to
+exist, when they seem fitted only to annoy the rest. But he knows not what
+he desires when he wishes their extinction. For such is the balance of
+organic nature, that to strike out even one species, is like removing a
+link from a chain. Once broken, every other link is affected, and the
+whole chain lies useless upon the ground. Or, to speak without a figure,
+if you blot out certain species of animals or plants, you disturb the
+balance of the whole system of organic nature; nor can you tell where the
+disturbance thus introduced will end. It may lead to the excessive
+multiplication of species still more injurious than those you have
+destroyed. At any rate, since the perfections of the Deity lead to the
+conclusion that the existing proportion between different species is the
+best, all things considered, and change in the balance must be injurious,
+we may conclude, that though noxious animals and plants may produce
+individual inconvenience and injury, the aggregate effects upon the whole
+of organic nature are salutary, and, therefore, indicative of benevolence.
+
+Similar reasoning will, I think, apply to the existence of that large
+class of animals called carnivorous. These are evidently intended to prey
+upon other animals; and for this purpose they are provided with weapons
+for seizing and destroying their prey. It is often extremely painful to a
+man of kind feelings to witness the scenes of blood and havoc which these
+flesh-eating animals produce. But we forget two things. The first is, that
+in order to keep the numbers of animated beings full in the different
+tribes, it is necessary that there should be a great excess of numbers
+created, to meet all the casualties to which they are exposed; and that
+excess must in some way or other be removed from life. Secondly, all the
+enjoyment of the carnivorous races is so much clear gain to the sum of
+animal happiness; for the excess of numbers in the tribes of vegetable
+feeders suffer no more in being destroyed by the carnivorous races, than
+if they died in some other way; not so much, indeed, as if they perished
+by famine. We may safely conclude, then, that even this system of mutual
+slaughter, when viewed in all its relations, is the means, in such a world
+as ours, of increasing the amount of enjoyment, and is, therefore, a
+benevolent provision.
+
+This course of reasoning may be extended, as I judge, to the greatest of
+all mortal evils,--I mean death. In the case of the inferior animals, the
+amount of physical or mental suffering from this cause is comparatively
+small. And if they survive the change of death, surely there is
+benevolence in so easy a translation. Or, if they do not exist hereafter,
+the stroke of death is a small deduction from the happiness of a whole
+life. In man's case, we must not take into the account the aggravations of
+death which his own misconduct produces. And aside from these, what a
+blessing it would be to be transferred to a more exalted state of being,
+by an experience no more painful than that of a Christian dying what may
+be called a natural death, by mere decay! Then, too, how much greater
+happiness is the result of a succession of beings on earth, than one
+undying race would enjoy, both because the successive races would be ever
+passing through novel scenes, which would soon become monotonous to a
+continuous race, and because, as we have already suggested, a succession
+of races admits of the existence, at any one time, of a far greater number
+of species! Then, too, we must not forget the salutary moral influence
+which man experiences from the expectation of death; so great, indeed,
+that without it, it seems doubtful whether the world would be any thing
+better than a Pandemonium. In making indissoluble the connection between
+sin and death, therefore, in such a system as the present, benevolence
+presided with wisdom and justice in the councils of Jehovah.
+
+But in the third lecture I have treated this whole subject so much more
+fully, that I need not add any thing further in this connection.
+
+I base my fifth and last argument, to prove the predominance of
+benevolence in the present system of nature, on the fact that good so
+often results from evil as a natural consequence. Or, to state the
+argument in another form, good seems generally to be the object or final
+cause of evil, whereas evil flows only incidentally from good.
+
+This argument scarcely differs from the last, except in the more general
+form of its statement. That brings forward certain prominent and appalling
+evils, and endeavors to show that, in striking the balance of their
+effects, the preponderance is on the side of benevolence. This advances a
+step farther, and attempts to show that the direct object of evil is to
+produce good.
+
+It follows, hence, that the examples adduced and elucidated under the last
+argument are not inappropriate to sustain and illustrate the present. Yet
+others should be added.
+
+Almost the entire history of medicine and surgery illustrates the manner
+in which physical evils result in physical good. Indeed, men never resort
+to the physician, or the surgeon, because their remedies and operations
+are desirable, but only because they are the necessary means of health and
+comfort. These means are, indeed, for the most part, of human invention,
+but not, therefore, the less indicative of the divine intention; for they
+are founded upon such a constitution in nature as makes it possible to
+discover remedies for disease and accidents. And the characteristics of
+nature's constitution are an index of the intentions of its Author.
+
+The severe mental discipline through which the youth must pass, who would
+attain distinction in learning, affords us an example of intellectual evil
+resulting in intellectual wealth and happiness. The trial is too severe
+for many irresolute minds, and they give over the effort, and sink down
+into a state of indolence and neglect. But he who bears manfully the
+discipline will at length gather the golden fruit. And he will be
+satisfied, too, of the wisdom and benevolence of that law of mental
+progress, which makes it impossible ever to find a royal road to the
+temple of learning, and which shuts out from that temple all who shrink
+from the preparatory discipline.
+
+Still more strikingly illustrative of this argument are the evils which
+men suffer as necessary precursors of moral good. These may be physical or
+mental; embracing all those experiences that take the name of trials,
+afflictions, and disappointments. These are often intensely bitter, and
+they constitute, indeed, the master evils of life. We shudder when we see
+them coming; and we often writhe in agony when in the furnace. But how
+many have come out of that furnace purified from base alloy, and ready for
+the service of God and the world! To do good is henceforth their delight;
+and they thank God for the severe discipline. When his heavy blows fell
+upon them, one after another, they felt as if they were the strokes of an
+incensed Deity. But now they see that they were only the necessary
+inflictions of infinite love. And they admire the wisdom that could thus
+educe so much good out of so great evil.
+
+I do not contend that good is always educed from evil in this world, or
+could be; but only that, in a plurality of cases, if men improve the evils
+they suffer as they might, such would be the effect. And if this be
+admitted, it is sufficient to establish the general principle, that one of
+the direct objects of evil in this world is to produce individual benefit.
+
+But the converse of this proposition cannot be maintained. We cannot,
+indeed, deny that evil sometimes results from good; but never as the
+direct object of the latter. The effect is only incidental; that is, not
+as the main object; and so a few cases of this sort cannot invalidate the
+proposition which I defend.
+
+I might multiply much more the arguments furnished by nature to prove a
+predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and operations of the
+present system of things. But I see no way of escaping the force of those
+presented, and cannot doubt that all will admit the conclusion. I advance,
+therefore to a second proposition, and maintain that _the benevolence
+exhibited in the present system of nature is not unmixed_.
+
+I mean, by this statement, that the divine benevolence exhibited in this
+world is modified by other perfections. While there is a predominance of
+benevolence, there are also indications of God's displeasure; or, at
+least, his dealings seem to be adapted to restrain and amend a wicked
+race, rather than to make an innocent and holy race happy; so that the
+condition of the human family is far less happy than unmixed benevolence
+would confer.
+
+In proof of this assertion, I maintain, first, that evil is incidental to
+every process and event in nature.
+
+This is preëminently true of all those actions which we call vicious.
+Indeed, they are in themselves evils of the worst kind; and not only so,
+but they are connected incidentally with scarcely any thing but evil,
+though sometimes, as theologians say, overruled for good.
+
+Take next the common operations of nature, which, of course, have no moral
+character. Their leading design, as we have already seen, is to produce
+good to sentient beings; but incidentally they bring much evil. Food is
+intended for gustatory enjoyment and for nourishment; but it is often the
+occasion of severe suffering, and becomes an active poison. Gravity is
+intended to hold the material universe in a proper balance, and to attach
+every moving thing on earth to the surface; but it occasions a vast number
+of accidents, and a vast amount of suffering. Water and fire are of
+immense direct benefit; yet the first buries a vast amount of property and
+life in its bosom, and the latter is scarcely less injurious in its
+incidental effects. Indeed, what natural agency can be named, that is not
+armed with the power to do evil?
+
+But the same principle extends also to benevolent actions. With our views
+of divine benevolence, we might expect that virtuous conduct would never
+be coupled with evil. But this notion does not accord with facts; for the
+incidental evils connected with benevolent action are often the most
+painful in life. Indeed, in how many instances has doing good been
+rewarded by the loss of life, and under all the aggravations of suffering
+which malignant ingenuity could invent! And the fact has been, that those
+whose motives in doing good were the purest have suffered the most.
+Witness the life and the death of Him who knew no sin, and yet was led as
+a lamb to the slaughter. Since wickedness in this world is sometimes
+allowed to have the power of annoying goodness we might expect that the
+more disinterested the latter, the more malignant and persecuting would be
+the former, because its own deformity is made more manifest.
+
+But the incidental evils connected with benevolent action are not limited
+to those resulting from the malice of the wicked. If, for instance, some
+huge system of iniquity has become incorporated into the very texture of
+society, benevolence cannot root it out without producing many a severe
+laceration of individuals, who are incidentally connected with the system,
+but to whom no blame attaches. The history of the efforts that have been
+made to substitute Christianity for heathenism and other false religions,
+is full of examples illustrative of this principle, in conformity with the
+remarkable declaration of Christ, _Think not that I am come to send peace
+on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword._ Alike prolific of
+illustrations are all the great attempted reforms which the world has
+witnessed, whether for delivering religion from human corruptions, or
+eradicating slavery, or intemperance, or breaking the political yoke of
+the oppressor. In fine, no reasonable man ought to expect to do much good
+in this world, without suffering much himself and bringing some incidental
+suffering upon others.
+
+Now, although the evils that have been described are incidental, they
+belong to the constitution of this world, and, therefore, show the
+feelings and intentions of its Author, as much as those effects of his
+works which appear to be their final causes. But do not such evils,
+incidental to every event, indicate a feeling in the divine mind different
+from unmixed benevolence? Strictly speaking, these evils are not penal
+inflictions. But they certainly do not show in the Creator a simple desire
+to promote the happiness of men, by directly conferring it. They rather
+indicate a necessity, on account of some peculiarity in the character of
+man, of mingling severity with goodness in the divine conduct towards him.
+
+In thus representing incidental effects as indicative of the feelings of
+the Deity, I may seem to contradict my reasoning under the first head,
+where I gave, as proof of God's benevolence, the fact that the direct
+object of every contrivance is beneficial, and evil only incidental. But I
+did not mean to intimate that the incidental effects of a contrivance are
+no index of the feelings of its author, but only that the direct effects
+show more clearly than the incidental what are his wishes and intentions,
+especially if the former are the most numerous, important, and striking.
+Still, incidental effects are never without an object; and where they are
+evil, as in the case supposed, they indicate other feelings towards men,
+in the divine mind, than unmixed benevolence. For it is a strange
+limitation of God's wisdom and power to say, as some do, that the evils
+could not be prevented.
+
+It may be said, however, that if men only conform to the laws of nature,
+they will escape all the evils they suffer. On the other hand, I
+maintain,--and this constitutes my second argument to show that the divine
+benevolence is not unmixed,--I maintain that the highest virtue and the
+most consummate prudence cannot avoid all the evils of life.
+
+Such prudence and virtue will not secure any one against many destructive
+natural agencies and operations to which he is exposed. Miasms productive
+of fatal disease may contaminate the atmosphere we breathe, unperceived by
+us; poison may exist in the food which we take as our necessary
+sustenance; the mechanical violence of the elements, or of gravity, may
+crush us; the lightning may smite us to the earth; the wild beast may rush
+from his unnoticed lair as we pass; or the deadly insect, or serpent, may
+inject its poison into our blood at an unexpected moment; or the floods
+may overwhelm, or the fire consume us.
+
+Now, although prudence and virtue may defend us against many evils, they
+afford no security against such as I have named, in very many instances.
+We are often ignorant of their existence or proximity till we become their
+victims, and suffering, often intense, is the consequence. Indeed, the
+greatest of all physical evils--I mean death--is as sure to visit every
+son and daughter of Adam as any event can be; and nothing but insanity, or
+its religious synonyme, fanaticism, has ever pretended to be proof against
+disease and death. You cannot, indeed, point out any particular organ or
+agency, whose direct object is to produce disease and death; but they are
+nevertheless the inevitable result of organic operations and agencies in
+such a world as this.
+
+It will be said, perhaps, that the good resulting to the whole from even
+the most severe of these sufferings, overbalances the evil, and therefore
+they are indications of benevolence in such a world as ours. True, as
+things are, this may be so. But the question is, Why is there such a
+constitution given to nature as made it necessary to introduce disease,
+accident, and death? Would not unmixed benevolence have conferred the
+good, but have withheld the evil? Had there not been something in man's
+character requiring the discipline of trials, would pure benevolence have
+sent them? At least, we should suppose that they might all have been
+avoided by prudence and virtue. Why should benevolence make such severe
+drawbacks upon the happiness even of the virtuous, if something were not
+radically wrong in the human constitution?
+
+Thirdly. The great sterility of so large a part of the earth, and the
+necessity of severe bodily labor to secure sustenance from it, show us
+that the benevolence exhibited in nature and in man's condition is not
+unmixed. Though some limited regions are exuberantly fertile, the larger
+part of the earth yields up even a mere sustenance only after the severest
+labor. And the vast majority of the race can do nothing more than to
+obtain food for the body. The artificial state of most societies does,
+indeed, keep the lower classes much more depressed than a better state of
+the world would bring them into; but at the best, nature unites with
+revelation in attesting the truth of the sentence passed upon man--_In the
+sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread._
+
+Nor is this necessity for severe labor confined to the cultivation of the
+earth, but extends to all kinds of human pursuits. Success, as a general
+fact, can be secured only by vigorous industry; and often, in spite of
+their most honest and persevering efforts, men fail of securing even a
+competence for the support of themselves and their dependants.
+
+Some will say that all this arises from a necessity in the very nature of
+the case. But does not such a view limit the divine power and wisdom?
+Could not God have prepared a world more paradisiacal than the present,
+where the earth should spontaneously yield her fruits, and pour out her
+hidden treasures at man's feet? Who will deny this? Why, then, has he not
+done it? Because obviously a race so prone to evil as man, so incapable of
+maintaining his integrity in the lap of ease and indulgence, needs all
+this severe discipline to keep him where he ought to be. Here, then, we
+see a reason why God must mingle seeming severity with benevolence.
+
+The same thing is seen, in the fourth place, in the confined and depressed
+condition of the human mind in this world, and in the multiplied obstacles
+in the way of its cultivation and enlargement.
+
+What a clog to the intellect is a body governed by gross appetites, and
+often stopping the ingress of truth, or perverting its aspect, by
+disordered and imperfect senses! Nearly one third of the time must that
+intellect sink into oblivion, while sleep recruits the physical powers.
+And nearly another third of life must be given to the wants of the body;
+and as we have seen, the great mass of men are obliged to devote nearly
+their whole time to serve the necessary wants of the body. What an
+incalculable waste of mind does the world exhibit! And even when all
+artificial and unnecessary obstructions are taken out of the way, what an
+immense waste must it always present, while in so gross a corporeal
+tenement! for were it free to exhibit its true nature, we cannot doubt its
+power of unwearied and incessant activity. And such might have been its
+condition here, had it pleased infinite wisdom and benevolence. But what
+unmixed benevolence would have prompted, perfect wisdom would not permit
+to fallen man.
+
+I feel confident that my first two propositions are established, viz.,
+that there is a predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and
+operations of the present world, and yet that it is not unmixed
+benevolence. I advance to a third proposition, which asserts that _the
+same mixed system of good and evil, which now exists, has always prevailed
+since the earth was inhabited_.
+
+Geology shows us the true succession of events since the first appearance
+of organic beings on the globe, but no chronological dates are registered
+on the rocks. And it is only by observing processes in existing nature,
+analogous to those whose record is engraven on the solid strata, that we
+can infer that the years since life first appeared on the surface must
+have been very many. But however far back in the hoary past that event
+occurred, we have indisputable evidence that the same laws then controlled
+the operations of nature as now, and the result was the same mixture of
+good and evil.
+
+In the crystalline structure, and in the perfect crystals of the older
+rocks, we learn the laws which predominated at their production. And we
+find that the same chemical, electrical, and electro-magnetical influences
+presided over their formation as are now exhibited in the laboratory of
+the chemist or the laboratory of nature. Now, these crystals conduct us
+back much farther than the dawn of terrestrial life, though similar ones,
+and produced by the same laws, are found through the whole series of
+rocks, from the oldest to the newest. And I might appeal to many other
+facts in the earth's history, which demonstrate an identity between the
+physical laws that have controlled nature's processes in every period of
+past time.
+
+We have evidence, also, of the same identity in the laws of life, or
+organic laws. In the anatomical structure of the earliest animals and
+plants we find the same general type that pervades the present creation,
+modified only, as it now is, to meet peculiar circumstances. This is true
+not only of the osseous, but also of the muscular, circulatory, nervous,
+lymphatic, and nutritive organs. Hence, as we might expect, we have
+evidence of the prevalence of the same functional or physiological laws
+then, as now. Respiration was performed, as it now is, and with the same
+effects. Vegetable and animal food was then, as now, masticated, digested,
+and assimilated; and since animals possessed the same senses, we infer
+that their habits were essentially the same. There is not, indeed, any
+evidence that ancient animals and plants exhibited any peculiarities of
+structure or function, save those necessary to adapt them to the
+circumstances, so unlike the present, in many respects, in which they
+lived.
+
+We are sure, also, that death has ever reigned over all organic nature. It
+has always been produced by the same causes, and attended by the same
+suffering. And its ravages were repaired by the same system of
+reproduction as now exists. All this we might presume would be the case,
+upon the discovery of an identity of laws, mechanical, chemical, and
+organic; but we have direct evidence, also, in the countless remains of
+animals and plants entombed in the rocks, more than twenty thousand
+species of which have been disinterred by naturalists and described.
+
+I might multiply facts almost without number to sustain the position, that
+the same mixed system has ever prevailed upon the globe; for geology is
+full of the details. But in a subsequent lecture, the subject will be more
+amply discussed.
+
+Such are the facts respecting the divine benevolence, as they are
+presented in the volume of nature. Though benevolence decidedly
+predominates, it is modified by other divine attributes, and ever has
+been, since organic existence began upon the globe. Let us now, _in the
+fourth place, see what inferences are fairly deducible from the whole
+subject_. For those inferences, if I mistake not, will not only clear away
+every cloud from the divine benevolence, but throw much light upon man's
+condition.
+
+In the first place, the subject shows us that the world is not in a state
+of retribution.
+
+As a general fact, virtue is to some extent rewarded, and vice to some
+extent punished. But it is not always so. Indeed, the picture is sometimes
+reversed apparently; and the good are afflicted because they do good, and
+the wicked triumph because they do evil. Evil abounds, but it is not so
+distributed as righteous retribution would award it; neither is good.
+Since, therefore, God's justice must be infinitely perfect, there must be
+some other object for the prevalence of good and evil in the world besides
+righteous retribution.
+
+Secondly. We learn from the subject that the world is in a fallen
+condition.
+
+I mean, that man has fallen from holiness and happiness. For the world is
+evidently not such a world as infinite wisdom and benevolence would
+prepare for a being perfectly holy and happy. Philosophize as we may, we
+cannot discover any reason why the abode of such a being should be filled
+with evils of almost every name--evils which the most consummate prudence
+and the most elevated virtue cannot wholly avoid--evils which often come
+upon the good man because he is eminent for holiness. But if man has
+fallen from original holiness and happiness by transgression, we might
+expect just such a world to be fitted up for his residence, because evil
+is indissolubly linked to sin, perhaps in the very nature of things,
+certainly by divine appointment. We know that it brings a curse upon every
+thing with which it is connected; and here we see a reason for the blight
+that has marred some of the fairest features of nature, and introduced
+pain and suffering into the animal frame, and brought a cloud over man's
+noble intellect, and hebetude over his moral powers. Such a fallen
+condition will explain what no other supposition can, viz., the clouded,
+fettered, and depressed condition of all organic nature.
+
+Yet, thirdly. We should not infer that man's condition was hopeless, but
+rather that mercy might be in store for him.
+
+The very fact that the world is not in a state of retribution would seem
+to afford hope that God had other purposes than punishment in allowing
+evil to be introduced. And then the vast predominance of benevolence and
+happiness around us cannot but inspire hope for the fallen.
+
+This will be still more manifest if we infer, and can show, fourthly, that
+the world is in a state of probation or trial.
+
+By this I mean that men are placed in a condition for the trial and
+discipline of their characters, in order to fit them for a higher state.
+If fallen and depraved, they need to pass through such a discipline before
+they can be prepared for that higher condition. And surely no one can
+observe the scenes through which all pass, without being struck with their
+eminent adaptedness to train man to virtue and holiness. Until we have
+been pupils for a time in this school, we are not fit even for the
+successive states in this life into which we pass; much less for a higher
+condition. But there is a marvellous power in this discipline to prepare
+us for both, as vast multitudes have testified while they lived and when
+they died. Even death seems, so far as we can see, to be the only means by
+which a sinful being can be delivered from his stains; and the dread of
+this terrific evil is one of the most powerful restraints upon vice, and
+stimulants to virtue. There is, in fact, no condition in which man is
+placed, no good or evil that he meets, which is not eminently adapted, if
+rightly improved, to discipline and strengthen his virtue. Hence we cannot
+doubt that this is the grand object of the present arrangements of the
+world. True, if misimproved, the same means become only a discipline in
+vice. But this is only in conformity with a general principle of the
+divine government, that the things which rightly used are highly
+salutary, are proportionably injurious when perverted.
+
+Fifthly. The subject shows us a reason why suffering and death prevailed
+in this world long before man's existence.
+
+God foresaw--I will not say foreordained, though he certainly permitted
+it--that man would transgress; and, therefore, he made a world adapted to
+a sinful fallen being, rather than to one pure and holy. If he had adapted
+it to an unfallen being, and then changed it upon his apostasy, that
+change must have amounted to a new creation. For, as I have endeavored to
+show in a previous lecture, (Lecture III.,) the whole constitution of our
+world, and even its relations to other worlds, must have been altered to
+fit it for a being who had sinned. To have introduced such a one into a
+world fitted up for the perfectly holy, would have been a curse instead of
+a blessing. It was benevolence on the part of God to allow evil to abound
+in a world which was to be the residence of a sinful creature; for the
+discipline of such a state was the only chance of his being rescued from
+the power of sin, and restored to the divine favor.
+
+It may be thought, however, inconsistent with divine benevolence to place
+the inferior, irrational animals in a condition of suffering because man
+would transgress, and thus punish creatures incapable of sinning for his
+transgression.
+
+Animals do, indeed, suffer in such a world as ours; but not as a
+punishment for their own or man's sin. The only question is, Do they
+suffer so much that their existence is not a blessing? Surely experience
+will decide, without inquiring as to their future existence, that their
+enjoyments, as a general fact, vastly outweigh their sufferings; and hence
+their existence indicates benevolence. It should also be recollected that
+their natures are adapted to a world of sin and death, and they are
+doubtless more happy here than they would be in a different condition,
+which might be more favorable to unfallen accountable beings.
+
+Finally. This subject harmonizes infinite and perfect benevolence in God
+with the existence of evil on earth.
+
+This is the grand problem of theology; and though I would not say that our
+reasoning clears it of all difficulties, yet it does seem to me that, by
+letting the light of this subject fall upon the question, we come nearer
+to its solution than by viewing it in any other aspect. For this subject
+shows us that benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements
+of the material universe, and then it assigns good reasons why this
+benevolence is not unmixed; in other words, why severity is sometimes
+mingled with goodness. It shows us that God, with a prospective view of
+man's sin, adapted the world to a fallen being; making it, instead of a
+place of unmingled happiness, a state of trial and discipline; not as a
+full punishment, (for that is reserved to a future state,) but as an
+essential means of delivering this immortal being from his ruin and
+misery, and of fitting him for future and endless holiness and happiness.
+Thus, instead of indicating indifference or malevolence in God, because he
+introduced evil into the world, it is a striking evidence of his
+benevolence. Such a plan is, in fact, the conjoint result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence for rescuing the miserable and the lost. Had God
+placed such a being in a world adapted to one perfectly holy, his
+sufferings would have been vastly greater, and his rescue hopeless.
+
+Thus far do both reason and revelation conduct us in a plain path; and
+that, probably, is as far as is necessary for all the purposes of
+religion. Up to this point, infinite benevolence pours its radiance upon
+the path, and we see good reasons for the evils incident to this life;
+nay, we see that they are the result of that same benevolence which strews
+the way with blessings; that, in fact, they are only necessary means of
+the greatest blessings. I am aware that there is a question lying farther
+back, in the outskirts of metaphysical theology, which still remains
+unanswered, and probably never can be settled in this world, because some
+of its elements are beyond our reach. The inquisitive mind asks why it was
+necessary for infinite wisdom and power to introduce evil, or allow it to
+be introduced, into any system of created things. Could not such natures
+have been bestowed upon creatures, that good only might have been their
+portion? A plausible answer is, that evil exists because it can ultimately
+be made subservient of greater good, taking the whole universe into
+account, than another system. Certainly to fallen man we have reason to
+believe natural evils are the grand means of his highest good; and hence
+we derive an argument for the same conclusion in respect to the whole
+system of evil. Indeed, such are the divine attributes, that it is absurd
+to suppose God would create any system which was not the best possible in
+existing circumstances. But even though we cannot solve these questions in
+their abstract form, and as applied to the whole creation, it is
+sufficient for every practical purpose of religion if we can show, as we
+have endeavored to do in this lecture, how the present system of the world
+for a fallen being illustrates, instead of disproving, the divine
+benevolence.
+
+Here, then, is the resolution of some of the darkest enigmas of human
+existence, which philosophy, unaided by revelation, has never solved. Here
+we get hold of the thread that conducts us through the most crooked
+labyrinths of life, and enables us to let into the deepest dungeons of
+despondency and doubt, the light of hope and of heaven.
+
+Here, too, we find the powerful glass by which we can pierce the clouds
+that have so long obscured the full-orbed splendors of the divine
+benevolence. To some, indeed,--and they sagacious philosophers,--that
+cloud has seemed surcharged only with vengeance. And even to those who
+have caught occasional glimpses of the noble orb behind, the cloud over
+its face has always seemed to be tinged with some angry rays. Indeed, so
+long as this is a sinful state, justice will not allow all the glories of
+the divine goodness to be revealed. And yet, through the glass which
+philosophy and faith have put into our hands, we can see that the disk is
+a full-orbed circle, and that no spots mar and darken its clear surface.
+How gloriously, then, when all those clouds shall have passed away, and
+the last taint of evil shall have been blotted out by the final
+conflagration, shall that sun, in the new heavens, send down its light and
+heat upon the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness!
+
+On the other hand, how sad the prospect which the analogies of this
+subject open before him who misimproves his earthly probation, and goes
+out of the world unprepared for a higher and purer state of existence! If
+we can see reasons why on earth God should mingle goodness and severity in
+this man's lot, we can also see reasons why the manifestations of
+benevolence should all be withdrawn when he passes into a state of
+retribution. For if an individual can resist the mighty influences for
+good which the present state of discipline affords, and only become worse
+under them all, his case is utterly hopeless, and Heaven can do no more,
+consistently with the eternal principles of the divine government, to
+save him. Infinite benevolence gives him over, and no longer holds back
+the sword of retributive justice. Nay, the justice which inflicts the
+punishment is only benevolence in another form. And this it is that makes
+the infliction intolerable. How much more terrible to the wayward child
+are the blows inflicted by a weeping, affectionate father, than if
+received from an enemy! God is that affectionate Father; and he punishes
+only because he loves the universe more than the individual; and he has
+exhausted the stores of infinite mercy in vain to save him. Wicked men
+sometimes tell us that they are not afraid to trust themselves in the
+hands of infinite benevolence; whereas it is eminently this quality of the
+divine character which, above all others, they have reason to fear. For
+if, even in this world of probation and hope, God finds it necessary to
+mingle so much severity with goodness, what but a cup of unmingled
+bitterness shall be put into his hands who goes into eternity unrenewed
+and unpardoned, and finds that even infinite benevolence has become his
+eternal enemy!
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VIII.
+
+UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY.
+
+
+Contrivance, adaptation, and design are some of the most striking features
+of the natural world. They are obvious throughout the whole range of
+creation, in the minutest as well as in the most magnificent objects; in
+the most complicated as well as in the most simple. So universally present
+are they, that whenever we meet with any thing in nature which seems
+imperfectly adapted to other objects, as the organ of an animal or plant,
+which exhibits malformation, it excites general attention, and the mere
+child need not be told that, in its want of adaptation to other objects,
+it is an exception in the natural world.
+
+In order to illustrate what I mean by contrivance, adaptation, and design,
+let me refer to a familiar example--the human eye. Made up of three coats
+and three humors, of solids and fluids, of nerves, blood-vessels, and
+muscles, and rivalling the most perfect optical instrument, it must have
+required the most consummate contrivance to give the requisite quantity
+and position to parts so numerous and unlike, for producing the phenomena
+of vision. Yet how perfectly it is done! How few, out of the hundreds of
+millions of eyes of men and other animals, fail of vision through any
+natural defect!
+
+No less marvellous are the adaptations of the eye. In order to be adapted
+to the wonderful effect which we call light, its coats and humors must be
+transparent, and possess a certain density and opacity, that the rays may
+form an image on the retina. Yet to prevent confusion in the image, the
+transparency must be confined to the central parts of the eye, and a dark
+plexus of veins and muscles must be so situated as to absorb the
+scattering rays. In order to adapt the eye to different distances, and to
+the greater or less intensity of the light, delicate muscles must be so
+situated as to contract and dilate the pupil, and lengthen and shorten the
+axis. That the eye might be directed to different objects, strong muscles
+must be attached to its posterior surface; and that the eyelid might
+defend it from injuries in front, a very peculiar muscle must give it
+power to close. No less perfect is the adaptation of the eye to the
+atmosphere, or, rather, there is a mutual adaptation; and it is as proper
+to say that the atmosphere is adapted to the eye, as that the eye is
+adapted to the atmosphere. In like manner, there is a striking relation
+between the eye and the sun and other heavenly bodies, and between the eye
+and day and night; so that we cannot doubt but they were made for one
+another. We might, indeed, extend the relations of the eye to every object
+in the universe; and the same may be said of every organ of plants and
+animals. The adaptation between them is as wide as creation. And it is the
+wonderful harmony between so many millions of objects that makes us feel
+that infinite wisdom alone could have produced it.
+
+The design of the multiplied contrivances and adaptations exhibited by the
+eye is too obvious to need a formal statement. Comparatively few
+understand the wonderful mechanism of the eye; but we should consider it
+proof of idiotism, or insanity, for the weakest mind to doubt what is the
+object of the eye. This is, to be sure, a striking example. But out of
+the many organs of animals, how few are there of which we do not see the
+design! And as the subject is more examined, the few excepted cases are
+made still fewer. They are more numerous in plants, because we cannot so
+well understand them, and because of their microscopic littleness. They
+are so few, however, throughout all nature, that they never produce a
+doubt that, for every individual thing in creation, there is a distinct
+object. If we confine our views to the most simple parts of matter, we can
+see design in them. If we take a wider view, and examine those minor
+systems which are produced by the grouping of the elements of matter, we
+shall see design there; and if we rise still higher in our examination,
+and compare systems still more extensive, until we group all material
+things, wise and beautiful design is still inscribed upon all. In fine,
+creation is but a series of harmonies, wheel within wheel, in countless
+variety, yet all forming one vast and perfect machine. Examine nature as
+widely and as minutely as we may, we never find one part clashing with
+another part; no laws, governing one portion of creation, different from
+those governing the others. Amid nature's infinitely diversified
+productions and operations we find but one original model or pattern. As
+Dr. Paley finely expresses it, "We never get amongst such original or
+totally different modes of existence as to indicate that we are come into
+the province of a different Creator, or under the direction of a different
+will." All appears to have been the work of one mighty mind, capable of
+devising and creating the vast system so perfectly that every part shall
+beautifully harmonize with every other part; a mind capable of holding in
+its capacious grasp at once the entire system, and seeing the relation and
+dependence of all its parts, from the minutest atom up to the mightiest
+world. In short, the unity of design which pervades all creation is
+perfect, more so than we witness in the most finished machine of human
+construction; for
+
+  "In human works, though labored on with pain,
+  A thousand movements scarce one object gain;
+  In God's, one single can its end produce,
+  Yet serves to second too some other use."
+
+Such are the wonderful contrivance, adaptation, and design which the
+material world every where exhibits. But the geologist carries us back
+through periods of immense antiquity, and digs out from the deep strata
+evidences of other systems of organic life, which have flourished and
+passed away; other economies, which have existed on the globe anterior to
+the present. And how was it with these? Had they any relation to the
+existing system? Were they governed by different laws, or are they all but
+parts of one great and harmonious system, embracing the whole of the
+earth's past duration? We could not decide these questions beforehand; but
+geology brings to light unequivocal evidence that the latter supposition
+is the true one; that is, in the language of the poet,--
+
+  "All are but parts of one stupendous whole,
+  Whose body nature is, and God the soul."
+
+To present the evidence of this conclusion will be my object in this
+lecture.
+
+_In the first place, the laws of chemistry and crystallography,
+electricity and magnetism, have ever been the same in all past conditions
+of the earth._
+
+Chemistry has attained to such a degree of perfection that the analyst
+can now determine the composition of the various vegetable, animal, and
+mineral substances which he meets, with an extreme degree of accuracy. In
+many instances, he can do this in two ways. He can always separate the
+elements which exist in a compound, and ascertain their relative quantity;
+and this is called _analysis_. And sometimes he can take those elements
+and cause them to unite, so as to form a particular compound; and this is
+called _synthesis_. By these methods he has ascertained that, amid the
+vast variety of substances in nature, there are only about sixty-four
+which cannot be reduced to a more simple form, and are therefore called
+_elements_, or simple substances. Now, the chemist finds that, when these
+elements unite to form compounds, certain fixed laws are invariably
+followed. They combine in definite quantities, which are always the same,
+or some multiple of the same weight; so that each element has its peculiar
+and invariable combining weight; and it cannot be made to combine in any
+other proportion. You may mix two or more elements together in any
+proportion, but it is only a certain definite quantity of each that will
+combine, while the rest will remain in excess. Hence the same compound
+substance, from whatever part of the world it comes, or under however
+diverse circumstances produced, consists of the same ingredients in the
+same proportion. These laws are followed with mathematical precision, and
+we have reason to believe that the same compound substance, produced in
+different parts of the world, never differs in its composition by the
+smallest conceivable particle. Indeed, with the exception of the planetary
+motions and crystallography, chemical combination is the most perfect
+example of practical mathematics to be found in nature.
+
+Such are the laws which the chemist finds invariably to regulate all the
+changes that now take place in the constitution of bodies. What evidence
+is there that the same laws have ever prevailed? In the rocks we have
+chemical compounds, produced in all ages of the world's history, since
+fire and water began to form solid masses. Now, these may be, and have
+been, analyzed; and the same laws of definite proportion in the
+ingredients, which now operate, are found to have controlled their
+formation. The oldest granite and gneiss, which must have been the
+earliest rocks produced, are just as invariable in their composition as
+the most recent salt formed in the laboratory. And the same is true of the
+silicates, the carbonates, the sulphates, the oxides, chlorides,
+fluorides, and other compounds which constitute the rocks of different
+ages. We never find any produced under the operation of different laws.
+
+Now, the almost invariable opinion among chemists is, that the reason why
+the elements unite thus definitely is, that they are in different
+electrical states, and therefore attract one another. Hence the most
+important laws of electricity have been coeval with those of chemistry;
+indeed, they are identical; nor can we doubt, if such be the fact, that
+every other electrical law has remained unchanged from the beginning. And
+from the intimate connection, if not complete identity, between
+electricity and magnetism, it is impossible to doubt that the laws which
+regulate the latter are of equal antiquity with those of the former.
+Indeed, we find evidence in all the rocks, especially those which are
+prismatic and concretionary, of the active influence of galvanism and
+electro-magnetism in their production.
+
+The reasoning is equally decisive to prove the unchanging character of the
+laws which regulate the formation of crystals. The chemist finds that the
+same substance, when it crystallizes, invariably takes the same
+geometrical forms. The nucleus or primary form, with a few exceptions, of
+no importance in the present argument, to which all these secondary forms
+may be reduced by change, is one particular solid, with unvarying angles;
+and all the secondary forms, built upon the primary, correspond in their
+angles. In short, in crystallography we have another example of perfect
+practical mathematics, as perfect as the theory.
+
+Now, the oldest rocks in the globe contain crystals, and so do the rocks
+of all ages, sometimes of the same kind as those produced in the chemist's
+laboratory. And they are found to correspond precisely. It matters not
+whether they were the produce of nature's laboratory countless ages ago,
+or of the skill of the nineteenth century,--the same mathematics ruled in
+their formation with a precision which infinite wisdom alone could secure.
+
+_In the second place, the laws of meteorology have ever been the same as
+at present._
+
+Under meteorological laws I include all atmospheric phenomena. And
+although we have no direct proof from geology in respect to the more rare
+of these phenomena, such as the aurora borealis and australis, and
+transient meteors, yet in respect to the existence of clouds, wind, and
+rain, the evidence is quite striking. In several places in Europe, and in
+many in this country, are found, upon layers of the new red sandstone, the
+distinct impressions of rain drops, made when the rock was fine mud. They
+correspond precisely with the indentations which falling rain-drops now
+make upon mud, and they show us that the phenomena of clouds and storms
+existed in that remote period, and that the vapor was condensed as at
+present. In the fact that the animals entombed in the rocks of various
+ages are found to have had organs of respiration, we also infer the
+existence of an atmosphere analogous to that which we now breathe. The
+rain-drops enable us to proceed one step farther; for often they are
+elongated in one direction, showing that they struck the ground obliquely,
+doubtless in consequence of wind. In short, the facts stated enable us to
+infer, with strong probability, that atmospheric phenomena were then
+essentially the same as at present; and analogy leads us to a similar
+conclusion as to all the past periods of the world's history, certainly
+since animals were placed upon it. What a curious register do these
+rain-drops present us! an engraving on stone of a shower that fell
+thousands and thousands of ages ago! They often become, too, an
+anemoscope, pointing out the direction of the wind, while the petrified
+surface shows us just how many drops fell, quite as accurately as the most
+delicate pluviameter. What events in the earth's pre-Adamic history would
+seem less likely to come down to us than the pattering of a shower?
+
+_In the third place, the agents of geological change appear to have been
+always the same on the earth._
+
+Whoever goes into a careful examination of the rocks will soon become
+satisfied that no fragment of them all remains in the condition in which
+it was originally created. Whatever was the original form in which matter
+was produced, there is no longer any example of it to be found. The
+evidence of these changes is as strong almost as that constant changes are
+going on in human society. And we find them constantly progressing among
+the rocks, as well as among men; nor do the agents by which they are
+produced appear to have been ever different from those now in operation.
+The two most important are heat and water; and it is doubtful whether
+there is a single particle of the globe which has not experienced the
+metamorphic action of the one or the other. Indeed, it is nearly certain
+that every portion of the globe has been melted, if not volatilized. All
+the unstratified rocks have certainly been fused, and probably all the
+stratified rocks originated from the unstratified, and have been modified
+by water and heat. In many of these rocks, especially the oldest, we
+perceive evidence of the joint action of both these agents. Evidently they
+were once aqueous deposits; but they appear to have been subsequently
+subjected to powerful heat. As we ascend on the scale of the stratified
+rocks, the marks of fire diminish, and those of water multiply, so that
+the latest are mere mechanical or chemical depositions from water.
+
+In these facts, then, we see proof that heat and water have been the chief
+agents of geological change since the first formation of a solid crust on
+the globe; for some of the rocks now accessible, as already stated, date
+their origin at that early period. We might also trace back the agency of
+heat much farther, if the hypothesis adopted by not a few eminent
+geologists be true, which supposes the earth to have been once in a
+gaseous state from intense heat. But to press this point will add very
+little to my argument, even could I sustain it by plausible reasoning. I
+will only say, that, so far as we know any thing of the state of the earth
+previous to the consolidation of its crust, heat appears to have been the
+chief agent concerned in its geological changes.
+
+Among other agencies of less importance, that have always operated
+geologically, is gravity. Its chief effect, at present is to bring the
+earth's surface nearer and nearer to a level, by causing the materials,
+which other agencies have loosened from its salient parts, to subside into
+its cavities and valleys. It also condenses many substances from a gaseous
+to a liquid or solid state, especially those deep in the earth's crust,
+and thus brings the particles more within the reach of cohesive
+attraction and chemical affinity, often changing the constitution, and
+always the solidity, of bodies. And in the position of the ancient
+mechanical rocks, occupying as they do the former basins of the surface,
+and in the superior consolidation of the earlier strata, we find proof of
+the action of gravity in all past geological time.
+
+Electricity too, in the form of galvanism, has never been idle. We have
+reason to think that it operates at this moment in accumulating metallic
+ores in veins; and this segregation appears to have operated in all ages,
+not only in filling veins, but also, probably, in giving a laminated
+character and jointed structure to mountains of slate, as well as a
+concretionary and prismatic form to others.
+
+Last, though not least, we may reckon among the agents of geological
+change the forces of cohesion and affinity. When water and heat, gravity
+and galvanism, have brought the atoms of bodies into a proper state, these
+agents are always ready to change their form and constitution; and they
+have ever been at hand to operate by the same laws, and we witness their
+effects in the oldest as well as the newest rocks found in the earth's
+crust. This point, however, has been sufficiently considered, when
+treating of the unvarying uniformity of the laws of chemistry and
+crystallography.
+
+But though the nature of the agencies above considered has never changed,
+the intensity or amount of their action has varied; how much is a point
+not yet settled among geologists. Some regard that intensity, as it has
+existed during the present or alluvial period, as a standard for all
+preceding periods; that is, the intensity of these forces has never varied
+more during any period of the earth's history than it has since the
+alluvial period commenced. Most geologists, however, regard this as an
+extreme opinion, and think they see evidence in geology of a far greater
+intensity in these agencies in past periods than exists at present. They
+think they have proof that the world was once only a molten mass of
+matter, and some evidence that previously it was in a state of vapor. They
+believe that vast mountains, and even continents, have sometimes been
+thrown up from the ocean's bed by a single mighty paroxysmal effort; and
+such effects they know to be far greater than the causes of change now in
+operation can produce, without a vast increase of their intensity. But
+this question need neither be discussed nor decided for the sake of my
+present argument, since my object is to prove an identity in the nature
+and laws, not in the intensity, of geological agencies.
+
+_In the fourth place, the laws of zoölogy and botany have always been the
+same on the globe._
+
+An examination of the animals now living, amounting to some hundred
+thousand species, perhaps to one or two millions, shows that they may be
+arranged in four great classes. The first class embraces the vertebral
+animals, distinguished by having a vertebral column, or back-bone, a
+regular skeleton, and a regular nervous system. It comprehends all the
+quadrupeds and bipeds, with man at their head, and is much superior to all
+other classes in complexity of organization and strength of the mental
+powers. The second class embraces the mollusks, or animals inhabiting
+shells. They are destitute of a spinal marrow, and for the most part their
+muscles are attached to the external covering, called the shell, although
+this shell is sometimes internal. The third class are called articulated
+animals, having envelopes connected by annulated plates, or rings. It
+includes such animals as the lobster, bloodsucker, spider, and insects
+generally. The fourth class have a radiated structure, and often resemble
+plants, or their habitation is a stony structure. Hence they are sometimes
+called zoöphytes, which means _animal plants_; or lithophytes, which means
+_stony plants_. They swarm in the ocean, and some of them build up those
+extensive stony structures called coral reefs.
+
+Now, if we examine the descriptions of the organic remains in the rocks,
+we find that in all ages of the world these four great classes of animals
+have existed. But in the earliest times, the three last classes--the
+mollusks, the articulated, and the radiated tribes--vastly preponderated,
+while the vertebral class had only a few representatives; and it is not
+till we rise as high as the new red sandstone, that we meet with any,
+except fishes, save a few batrachians in the old red sandstone, and the
+carboniferous group, detected alone by their tracks. Then the reptiles
+began to appear in abundance, with tortoises and enormous birds of a low
+organization, but no mammiferous animal is found, until we reach the
+oölite; and scarcely any till we rise to the tertiary strata, when they
+became abundant; but not so numerous as at present, though for the most
+part of larger size. Thus we find that the more perfect animals have been
+developed gradually, becoming more and more complex as we rise on the
+scale of the rocks. But in the three other classes, there does not appear
+to have been much advance upon the original types, although in numbers and
+variety there has been a great increase.
+
+The plants now growing upon the globe, amounting probably to nearly one
+hundred thousand species, are divided into two great classes, by a very
+decided character. Some of them have distinct flowers, and others are
+destitute of them. The former are called phenogamian, or flowering plants;
+and the latter cryptogamian, or flowerless plants.
+
+At present, the flowering plants very much predominate in the flora of
+every country. But in the earliest periods of organic existence, the
+reverse was the case. We find, indeed but very few flowering plants, and
+these of a character somewhat intermediate between flowering and
+flowerless; such as the coniferæ and cycadeæ, including the pine tribe. A
+few palms appeared almost as early, and some other monocotyledons. But
+most of the dicotyledons did not appear till the tertiary period, where
+more than two hundred species have been found. Of the three hundred
+species found in and beneath the carboniferous group, two thirds are tree
+ferns, or gigantic equisetaceæ. More than one third of the entire flora of
+the secondary formation consists of cycadeæ; whereas, this family of
+plants forms not more than the two thousandth part of the existing flora.
+In short, we find the more perfect plants as well as animals to be few in
+the earliest periods, and to have been gradually introduced up to the
+present time. But as to the flowerless plants, most of them seem to have
+been as perfect at first as they now are.
+
+These facts teach us conclusively that the outlines of organic life on the
+globe have always been the same; that the great classes of animals and
+plants have always had their representatives, and that the variations
+which have been introduced, have been merely adaptations to the varying
+condition of the earth's surface. The higher and more complex natures,
+both of animals and plants, were not introduced at first, because the
+surface was not adapted to their existence; and they were brought in only
+as circumstances, favorable to their development, prepared the way.
+
+There is another fact of great interest on this subject. Even a cursory
+examination of the animals and plants now on the globe, shows such a
+gradation of their characters that they form a sort of chain, extending
+from the most to the least perfect species. But we see at once that the
+links of this chain are of very unequal length; or, rather, that there are
+in some instances wide intervals between the nearest species, as if one or
+more links had dropped out. How remarkable that some of these lost links
+should be found among the fossil species! I will refer to a few examples.
+
+Among existing animals no genera or tribes are more widely separated than
+those with thick skins, denominated pachydermata; such as the rhinoceros
+and the elephant. But among the fossil animals of the tertiary strata,
+this tribe of animals was much more common; and many of them fill up the
+blanks in the existing families, and thus render more perfect and uniform
+the great chain of being which binds together into one great system the
+present and past periods of organic life.
+
+A similar case occurs among fossil plants. In tropical climates we find a
+few species--not much over twenty--of a singular family of plants, the
+cycadeæ connecting the great families of coniferæ, or dicotyledons, with
+the palms, which are monocotyledonous, and the ferns, which are
+acotyledonous. The chasm, however, between those great and dissimilar
+classes of plants is but imperfectly filled by the few living species of
+cycadeæ. But of the fossil species hitherto found above the coal
+formation, almost one half are cycadeæ; so that here, too, the lost links
+of the chain are supplied.
+
+"Facts like these," says Dr. Buckland, "are inestimably precious to the
+natural theologian, for they identify, as it were, the Artificer, by
+details of manipulation throughout his works. They appeal to the
+physiologist, in language more commanding than human eloquence; the voice
+of very stocks and stones, that have been buried for countless ages in the
+deep recesses of the earth, proclaiming the universal agency of one
+all-directing, all-sustaining Creator, in whose will and power these
+harmonious systems originated, and by whose universal providence they are,
+and have at all times been, maintained."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, vol. i.
+p. 502.
+
+One other fact, showing the identity of former zoölogical laws with those
+which now prevail, must not be omitted. I refer to the existence on the
+globe in all past periods of organic life of the two great classes of
+carnivorous and herbivorous animals; and they have always existed, too, in
+about the same proportion. To the harmony and happiness of the present
+system, we know that the existence and proper relative number of these
+different classes are indispensable. For in order that the greatest
+possible number of animals that live on vegetable food should exist, they
+must possess the power of rapid multiplication, so that there should be
+born a much larger number than is necessary to people the earth. But if
+there existed no carnivorous races to keep in check this redundancy of
+population, the world would soon become so filled with the herbivorous
+races that famine would be the consequence, and thus a much greater amount
+of suffering result than the sudden death inflicted by carnivorous races
+now produces. To preserve, then, a proper balance between the different
+species is, doubtless, the object of the creation of the carnivorous. This
+system has been aptly denominated "the police of nature." And we find it
+to have always existed. The earliest vertebral animals--the sauroid fishes
+and sharks--were of this description. The sharks have always lived, but
+the sauroid fishes became less numerous when other marine saurians were
+created; and when they both nearly disappeared, during the tertiary
+period, other predaceous families were introduced, more like those now in
+existence.
+
+The history of the mollusks, or animals inhabiting shells, furnishes us
+with an example still more striking. These animals, as they now exist, are
+divisible into the two great classes of carnivorous and herbivorous
+species, being distinguished by their anatomical structure; and so has it
+ever been. In the fossiliferous rocks below the tertiary, we find immense
+numbers of nautili, ammonites, and other kindred genera of polythalamous
+shells, called cephalopods, which were all carnivorous. And when they
+nearly disappeared with the cretaceous period, there was created another
+race with carnivorous propensities and organs, called trachelipods; and
+those continue still to swarm in the ocean. Had they not appeared when the
+cephalopods passed away, the herbivorous tribes would have multiplied to
+such an extent as ultimately to destroy marine vegetation, and bring on
+famine among themselves.
+
+These examples are sufficient to prove the existence of the carnivorous
+and herbivorous races in all ages and in about the same relative numbers.
+And it certainly furnishes most decisive evidence of the oneness of all
+these systems of organic life on the globe.
+
+_In the fifth place, the laws of anatomy have always been the same since
+organic structures began to exist._
+
+It had long been known that the organs of animals were beautifully adapted
+to perform the functions for which they were intended. But it was not till
+the investigations of Baron Cuvier, within the last half century, that it
+was known how mathematically exact is the relation between the different
+parts of the animal frame, nor how precise are the laws of variation in
+the different species, by which they are fitted to different elements,
+climates, and food. It is now well known, that each animal structure
+contains a perfect system of correlation, and yet the whole forms a
+harmonious part of the entire animal system on the globe. But the
+language of Cuvier himself will best elucidate this subject, so far as it
+is capable of popular explanation.
+
+"Every organized individual," says he, "forms an entire system of its own;
+all the parts of which mutually correspond, and concur to produce a
+certain definite purpose, by reciprocal reaction, or by combining towards
+the same end. Hence none of these separate parts can change their forms
+without a corresponding change in the other parts of the same animal, and
+consequently each of these parts, taken separately, indicates all the
+other parts to which it has belonged. Thus, if the viscera of any animal
+are so organized as only to be fitted for the digestion of recent flesh,
+it is also requisite that the jaws should be so constructed as to fit them
+for devouring prey; the claws must be constructed for seizing and tearing
+it to pieces; the teeth for cutting and dividing its flesh; the entire
+system of the limbs, or organs of motion, for pursuing and overtaking it;
+and the organs of sense, for discovering it at a distance. Nature, also,
+must have endowed the brain of the animal with instinct sufficient for
+concealing itself, and for laying plans to catch its necessary victims.
+
+"In order that the jaw may be well adapted for laying hold of objects, it
+is necessary that its condyle should have a certain form; that the
+resistance, the moving power, and the fulcrum, should have a certain
+relative position with respect to each other, and that the temporal
+muscles should be of a certain size; the hollow, or depression, too, in
+which these muscles are lodged, must have a certain depth; and the
+zygomatic arch, under which they pass, must not only have a certain degree
+of convexity, but it must be sufficiently strong to support the action of
+the masseter.
+
+"To enable the animal to carry of its prey when seized, a corresponding
+force is requisite in the muscles which elevate the head; and this
+necessarily gives rise to a determinate form of the vertebræ, to which
+these muscles are attached, and of the occiput into which they are
+inserted.
+
+"In order that the teeth of a carnivorous animal may be able to cut the
+flesh, they require to be sharp, more or less so in proportion to the
+greater or less quantity of flesh which they have to cut. It is requisite
+that their roots should be solid and strong, in proportion to the greater
+quantity and size of the bones which they have to break to pieces. The
+whole of these circumstances must necessarily influence the development
+and form of all the parts which contribute to move the jaws.
+
+"To enable the claws of a carnivorous animal to seize its prey, a
+considerable degree of mobility is necessary in their paws and toes, and a
+considerable strength in the claws themselves. From these circumstances,
+there necessarily result certain determinate forms in all the bones of
+their paws, and in the distribution of the muscles and tendons by which
+they are moved. The fore arm must possess a certain facility of moving in
+various directions, and consequently requires certain determinate forms in
+the bones of which it is composed. As the bones of the fore arm are
+articulated with the arm bone, or humerus, no change can take place in the
+form or structure of the former, without occasioning correspondent changes
+in the form of the latter. The shoulder-blade, also, or scapula, requires
+a correspondent degree of strength in all animals destined for catching
+prey, by which it likewise must necessarily have an appropriate form. The
+play and action of all these parts require certain proportions in the
+muscles which set them in motion, and the impressions formed by these
+muscles must still farther determine the form of all these bones.
+
+"After these observations it will easily be seen that similar conclusions
+may be drawn with respect to the hinder limbs of carnivorous animals,
+which require particular conformations to fit them for rapidity of motion
+in general; and that similar considerations must influence the forms and
+connections of the vertebræ and other bones constituting the trunk of the
+body, and to fit them for flexibility and readiness of motion in all
+directions. The bones, also, of the nose, of the orbit, and of the ears,
+require certain forms and structures to fit them for giving perfection to
+the senses of smell, sight, and hearing, so necessary to animals of prey.
+In short, the shape and structure of the teeth regulate the forms of the
+condyle, of the shoulder-blade, and the claws, in the same manner as the
+equation of a curve regulates all its other properties; and as, in regard
+to a particular curve, all its properties may be ascertained by assuming
+each separate property as the foundation of a particular equation, in the
+same manner a claw, a shoulder-blade, a condyle, a leg, an arm bone, or
+any other bone, separately considered, enables us to discover the
+description of teeth to which they have belonged; and so, also,
+reciprocally, we may determine the form of the other bones from the teeth.
+Thus commencing our investigations by a careful survey of any one bone by
+itself, a person who is sufficiently master of the laws of organic
+structure may, as it were, reconstruct the whole animal to which that bone
+had belonged."
+
+After applying the same principle to animals with hoofs, Cuvier comes to a
+conclusion even more surprising. "Hence," says he, "any one who observes
+merely the print of a cloven hoof, may conclude that it has been left by a
+ruminant animal, and regard the conclusion as equally certain with any
+other in physics or in morals. Consequently this single footmark clearly
+indicates to the observer the forms of the teeth, of all the leg bones,
+thighs, shoulders, and of the trunk of the body of the animal which left
+the mark. It is much surer than all the marks of Zadig.
+
+"By thus employing the method of observation, where theory is no longer
+able to direct our views, we procure astonishing, results. The smallest
+fragment of bone, even the most apparently insignificant apophysis,
+possesses a fixed and determinate character relative to the class, order,
+genus, and species of the animal to which it belonged; insomuch that when
+we find merely the extremity of a well-preserved bone, we are able, by a
+careful examination, assisted by analogy and exact comparison, to
+determine the species to which it once belonged, as certainly as if we had
+the entire animal before us. Before venturing to put entire confidence in
+this method of investigation, in regard to fossil bones, I have very
+frequently tried it with portions of bones belonging to well-known
+animals, and always with such complete success, that I now entertain no
+doubts with regard to the results which it affords."
+
+The remarkable correlation between the parts of existing animals having
+been thus proved by the most rigid and satisfactory tests, we shall
+inquire with interest for the result, when Cuvier applied the same
+principles to the fossil animals. If the laws of anatomical structure were
+the same when these extinct races lived as they now are, these principles
+will apply equally well to the bones found in the rocks; and though often
+only scattered fragments are brought to light, the anatomist will be able
+to reconstruct the whole animal, and present him to our view. Cuvier was
+the first who solved this problem. The quarries around Paris had furnished
+a vast number of bones of strange animals, and these were thrown
+promiscuously into the collections of that city. Well prepared by previous
+study, this distinguished anatomist went among them with the inquiry, _Can
+these bones live?_ The spirit of scientific prophecy was upon him, and, as
+he uttered his inspirations, _there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and
+the bones came together, bone to his bone. And the sinews and the flesh
+came upon them, and the skin covered them._ "I found myself," says he, "as
+if placed in a charnel-house, surrounded by mutilated fragments of many
+hundred skeletons of more than twenty kinds of animals, piled confusedly
+around me. The task assigned me was to restore them all to their original
+position. At the voice of comparative anatomy, every bone and fragment of
+a bone resumed its place. I cannot find words to express the pleasure I
+experienced in seeing, as I discovered one character, how all the
+consequences which I predicted from it were successively confirmed; the
+feet were found in accordance with the characters announced by the teeth;
+the teeth in harmony with those indicated beforehand by the feet; the
+bones of the legs and thighs, and every connecting portion of the
+extremities, were found set together precisely as I had arranged them,
+before my conjectures were verified by the discovery of the parts entire;
+in short, each species was, as it were, reconstructed from a single one of
+its component elements."
+
+It is hardly necessary to say that, since this first successful
+experiment, the same principles have been more thoroughly investigated and
+extended with the same success into every department of fossil organic
+nature. The results which have crowned the labors of such men as Agassiz,
+Ehrenberg, Kaup, Goldfuss, Bronn, Blainville, Brongniart, Deshayes, and
+D'Orbigny, on the continent of Europe, and of Conybeare, Buckland,
+Mantell, Lindley, and Hutton, and eminently of Owen, in Great Britain,
+although sustained by the most rigid principles of science, are
+nevertheless but little short of miraculous; and they demonstrate most
+clearly the identity of anatomical laws, in all ages, among animals and
+plants of every size and character, from the lofty lepidodendra and
+sigillaria to the humblest moss or sea-weed, and from the gigantic
+dinotherium, mastodon, megatherium, and iguanodon, to the infinitesimal
+infusoria.
+
+_In the sixth place, physiological laws have always been the same upon the
+globe._
+
+That death has reigned in all past ages over all animated tribes, as it
+now reigns, so that in that war there has never been a discharge, I need
+not attempt formally to prove. For the preserved and petrified relics of
+all the former races, that now lie entombed in the rocks, furnish a silent
+but impressive demonstration of the former triumph of that great
+physiological law, which is stamped by the signet of Jehovah upon all
+existing organic natures--_Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
+return._
+
+Scarcely more necessary is it to attempt to show that the same system of
+reproduction for filling the chasms which death occasions, and which is
+now universal in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, has always existed.
+Indeed, such a system is a necessary counterpart to a system of
+dissolution. And we find the same phases to this reproductive system in
+ancient and in modern periods. Organic remains clearly teach us that there
+have always been viviparous as well as oviparous creatures, and
+gemmiparous as well as fissiparous animals and plants. The second great
+physiological law of existing nature has, then, always been the same.
+
+The character of the nourishment by which animals and plants have been
+sustained has never varied. The latter have ever been nourished by
+inorganic, and the former by organic, matter. Some animals have ever fed
+upon the flesh of other animals, as their petrified remains, enclosing the
+masticated and half-digested fragments of other animals, testify. Other
+tribes have fed only upon herbs or fruits; and some were omnivorous; just,
+in fact, as we find the habits of existing animals.
+
+No less certain are we that the processes of digestion and assimilation
+have ever been unchanged. We find the same organs for these purposes as in
+existing animals, viz., the mouth, the stomach, the intestines, and the
+blood-vessels, as the coprolites and the cololites abundantly testify. We
+infer, therefore, with great confidence, the existence of gastric juice
+and bile for completing the transformation of the food into blood. Indeed,
+the discovery by a lady (Miss Mary Anning, of England) of that singular
+secretion from which the color called _India ink_ is prepared, with the
+ink-bag of the sepia, or loligo, in a petrified state, shows that the
+process of secretion existed in these ancient animals; and when we find
+that in all respects their structure was like that of existing animals,
+although some of the softer vessels have not been preserved, we cannot
+doubt but the entire process of digestion, and the conversion of blood
+into bone, nerve, and muscle, was precisely the same as it now is.
+
+In the fact, also, that we find in fossil specimens organs of respiration,
+such as lungs, gills, and trachea, we learn that the process of a
+circulation of blood, and its purification by means of the oxygen of the
+atmosphere, have never varied. Animal heat, too, dependent as it is
+essentially upon this oxygenating process, was always derived from the
+same source as at present.
+
+The perfectly preserved minute vessels of vegetables enable us, by means
+of the microscope, to identify them with the plants now alive; and they
+prove, too, incontestably, that the nourishment of vegetables has always
+been of the same kind, and has been converted into the various proximate
+principles of plants by the same processes.
+
+Again. We have evidence that these ancient animals possessed the same
+senses as their congeneric races now on the globe. We have one good
+example in which that most delicate organ, the eye, is most perfectly
+preserved. It is well known that the visual organ of insects and of
+crustaceans is composed of a multitude--often several hundreds or
+thousands--of eyes, united into one, so as to serve the purpose of a
+multiplying glass; each eye producing a separate image of the object
+observed. Such an eye had the trilobite. Each contained at least four
+hundred nearly spherical lenses on the surface of the cornea, united into
+one organ; revealing to us the interesting fact, that the relations of
+light to animal organization were the same in that remote era as they now
+are.
+
+But I need not multiply proof of the functional identity of organic nature
+in all ages. It may, however, be inquired, how this identity, as well as
+that of anatomical structure, is reconciled with the great anomalies, both
+in size and form, which have confessedly prevailed among ancient animals.
+Compare the plants and animals which now occupy the northern parts of the
+globe with those which flourished there in the remote periods of
+geological history, and can we believe them to be portions of one great
+system of organic nature?
+
+Compare, for instance, the thirty or forty species of ferns now growing to
+the height of a few inches, or one or two feet, in Europe and this
+country, with the more than two hundred species already dug out of the
+coal mines, many of which were forty to forty-five feet in height; or the
+diminutive ground pines, and equiseta, now scarcely noticed in our
+forests, with the gigantic lepidodendron, sigillaria, calamites, and
+equiseta, of the carboniferous period; and who will not be struck with the
+great difference between them?
+
+Or go to Germany, and imagine the bones of the dinotherium to start out of
+the soil, and become clothed with flesh and instinct with life. You have
+before you a quadruped eighteen feet in length, and of proportional
+height, much larger than the elephant, and with curved tusks reaching two
+or three feet below its lower jaw, while no other living animal would be
+found there larger than the ox, or the horse--mere pygmies by the side of
+such a monster, and evidently unfit to be his contemporaries.
+
+Again. Let the megatherium be brought back to life on the pampas of South
+America, and you have an animal twelve feet long and eight feet high, with
+proportions perfectly colossal. Its fore feet were a yard long, its thigh
+bone three times thicker than that of the elephant, its width across the
+haunches five feet, its spinal marrow a foot in diameter, and its tail,
+where it was inserted into the body, two feet in diameter. What a giant in
+comparison with the sloth, the anteater, and the armadillo, to which it
+was allied by anatomical structure!
+
+Still more unequal in size, as compared with living batrachians, was the
+labyrinthidon, once common in England and Germany, if, indeed, the tracks
+on sandstone were made by that animal. It was, in fact, a frog as large as
+an ox, and perhaps as large as an elephant. Think of such animals swarming
+in our morasses at the present day!
+
+But coming back from Europe, and turning our thoughts to the animals that
+trod along the shores of the estuary that once washed the base of Mount
+Holyoke, in New England, we shall encounter an animal, probably of the
+batrachian family, of more gigantic proportions. It was the _Otozoum
+Moodii_, a biped, with feet twenty inches long, more than twice the size
+of those of the labyrinthidon; yet its tracks on the imperishable
+sandstone show that such a giant once trod upon the muddy shore of that
+ancient estuary.
+
+Along that same shore, also, enormous struthious birds moved in flocks,
+making strides from three to five feet long, with feet eighteen inches
+long, lifting their heads, it may be, from twelve to eighteen feet above
+the ground, surpassing, as it appears, even the gigantic dinornis of New
+Zealand, now that the feet of the latter have been discovered. I refer to
+the _Brontozoum giganteum_, whose tracks are so common on the new red
+sandstone of the Connecticut valley. What dwarfs are we in comparison, who
+now consider ourselves lords of that valley!
+
+Still more remarkable for peculiarities of structure was the tribe of
+saurians, which were once so numerous in the northern parts of Europe and
+America. The ichthyosaurus, a carnivorous marine reptile, sometimes thirty
+feet long, had the snout of a porpoise, the teeth of a crocodile, the head
+of a lizard, the vertebræ of a fish, the sternum of an ornithorhynchus,
+and the paddles of a whale. Those paddles, corresponding to the fins of a
+fish, or the web feet of water birds, were composed, each of them, of more
+than one hundred bones. In short, we find in this animal a combination of
+mechanical contrivances, which are now found among three distinct classes
+of the animal kingdom. Its eye, also, having an orbital cavity, in one
+species, of fourteen inches in its longest diameter, was proportionally
+larger than that of any living animal.
+
+The plesiosaurus had the general structure of the ichthyosaurus; but its
+neck was nearly as long as its whole body--longer, in proportion to its
+size, than even that of the swan.
+
+The iguanodon was an herbivorous terrestrial reptile that formerly
+inhabited England. It approaches nearest in structure to the iguana, a
+reptile four or five feet long, inhabiting the marine parts of this
+continent. Yet the iguanodon was thirty feet long, with a thigh six feet,
+and a body fourteen feet in circumference. What an alarm would it now
+produce, to have such a monster start into life in the forests of England,
+where no analogous animal could be found more than half a foot in length!
+Surely this must have been one of the fabulous monsters of antiquity.
+
+Still more heteroclitic and unlike existing nature was the pterodactyle, a
+small lizard, contemporary with the ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus. At one
+time anatomists regarded it as a bird, at another as a bat, and finally as
+a reptile, having the head and neck of a bird, the body and tail of a
+quadruped, the wings of a bat, and the teeth of a saurian reptile. With
+its wings it could fly or swim; it could walk on two feet or four; with
+its claws it could climb or creep. "Thus," says Dr. Buckland, "like
+Milton's fiend, all qualified for all services, and all elements, the
+pterodactyle was a fit companion for the kindred reptiles that swarmed in
+the seas, or crawled on the shores of a turbulent planet."
+
+                                        "The fiend,
+  O'er bog, or steep, through straight, rough, dense, or rare,
+  With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
+  And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies."
+
+Now, when the details of such facts are brought before us, it is very
+natural to feel that it is the history of monsters, and that the
+Centaurs, the Gorgons, and Chimeras of the ancients, are no more unlike
+existing animals than these resurrections from the rocks. But further
+examination rectifies our mistake, and we recognize them as parts of one
+great system. All the peculiarities of size, and structure, and form,
+which we meet, we find to be only wise and benevolent adaptations to the
+different circumstances in which animals have been placed. The gigantic
+size of many of them, compared with existing races, may be explained by
+the tropical, or even ultra tropical character of the climate; and not a
+single anomaly of structure and form can be pointed out, which did not
+contribute to the convenience and happiness of the species, in the
+circumstances in which they were placed. It is our ignorance and narrow
+views alone that give any of them the aspect of monsters. Listen to the
+opinion of Sir Charles Bell, one of the ablest of modern anatomists. "The
+animals of the antediluvian world," says he, "were not monsters; there is
+no _lusus_, or extravagance. Hideous as they appear to us, and like the
+phantoms of a dream, they were adapted to the condition of the earth when
+they existed." "Judging by these indications of the habits of the animals,
+we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their period
+of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of the
+lacertæ, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and, finally, we learn
+that, at any period previous to man's creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, pp. 35 and
+31.
+
+A similar view is given of this subject by England's geological poet,
+(Rev. Mr. Wilks,) in whose playful verses we find more of true science and
+just inference than in many a ponderous tome of grave prose. In one of
+his poems he says,--
+
+                                "Seamy coal,
+  Limestone, or oölite, and other sections,
+  Give us strange tidings of our old connections;
+  Our arborescent ferns, of climate torrid,
+  With unknown shapes of names and natures horrid;
+  Strange ichthyosaurus, or iguanodon,
+  With many more I cannot verse upon,--
+  Lost species and lost genera; some whose bias
+  Is chalk, marl, sandstone, gravel, or blue lias;
+  Birds, beasts, fish, insects, reptiles; fresh, marine,
+  Perfect as yesterday among us seen
+  In rock or cave; 'tis passing strange to me
+  How such incongruous mixture e'er could be.
+  And yet no medley was it: each its station
+  Once occupied in wise and meet location.
+  God is a God of order, though to scan
+  His works may pose the feeble powers of man."
+
+The facts and reasonings which have now been presented will sustain the
+following important inferences:--
+
+_In the first place, we learn that the notions which have so widely
+prevailed, in ancient and modern times, respecting a chaos, are without
+foundation._
+
+Among all heathen nations of antiquity, the belief in a primeval chaos was
+almost universal; and from the heathen philosophers it was transmitted to
+the Christian world, and incorporated with the Mosaic cosmogony. It is
+not, indeed, easy to ascertain what is the precise idea which has been
+attached to a chaos. It is generally described, however, as "a confused
+assemblage of elements," "an unformed and undigested mass of heterogeneous
+matter;" not, of course, subject to those laws which now govern it, and
+which have arranged it all in beautiful order, even if we leave out of
+the account vegetable and animal organization. Now, I have attempted to
+show that there never was a period on the globe when these laws, with the
+exception of the organic, did not operate as they now do. Nay, the
+geologist, when he examines the oldest rocks, finds the results of these
+laws at the supposed period when chaos reigned; that is, in the earliest
+times of our planet. And what are these results? The most splendid
+crystallizations which nature furnishes. The emerald, the topaz, the
+sapphire, and other kindred gems, were elaborated during the supposed
+chaotic state of the globe; for no earlier products have yet been
+discovered than these most perfect illustrations of crystallographical,
+chemical, and electrical laws. If, indeed, any should say, that by a chaos
+they mean only that state of the world when no animals or plants
+existed,--in other words, when no organic laws had been established,--to
+such a chaos I have no objection. And this is the chaos described in the
+Bible, where it is said that, before the creation of animals and plants,
+the earth was _without form and void_. The _tohu vau bohu_ of Moses, which
+is thus translated in our English Bible, means, simply and literally,
+_invisible and unfurnished_--_invisible_, both because the ocean covered
+the present land, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and
+_unfurnished_, because as yet no organic natures had been called into
+existence. This is the meaning which the old Jewish writers, as Philo and
+Josephus, attached to these words; and they have been followed by some of
+the ablest modern commentators. "It is wonderful," says Rosenmuller the
+elder, "that so many interpreters could have persuaded themselves that it
+was possible to detect a chaos in the words [Hebrew]. That notion
+unquestionably derived its origin from the fictions of the Greek and Latin
+poets, which were transferred by those interpreters to Moses. If we
+follow the practice of the language, the Hebrew phrase has this
+signification: _The earth was waste and desert_, or, as others prefer,
+_empty and vacuous_; that is, _uncultured and unfurnished_ with those
+things with which the Creator afterwards adorned it."--_Antiquiss. Tell.
+Hist._ p. 19-23.
+
+Upon the whole, there is no evidence whatever, either in nature or
+revelation, that the earth has ever been in a state corresponding to the
+common notions of a chaos; while, on the other hand, there is strong proof
+that the present laws of nature have been in operation from the beginning.
+These laws have varied in the intensity of their action, and we have
+strong reason to believe that organic laws did not always exist; but none
+of these laws have ever been suspended, to leave the elements to mix in
+wild disorder in a formless mass. It is high time that religion was freed
+from the indescribable incubus of a chaos.
+
+_Finally, the most important conclusion to which the mind is conducted by
+this subject is, that the present and past conditions of this world are
+only parts of one and the same great system of infinite wisdom and
+benevolence._
+
+We have seen that the same wise and benevolent laws, organic and
+inorganic, have always controlled, as they now control, this lower world.
+It is true we find modified conditions of the globe in its past history;
+but they were always the foreseen result of the same laws, and in harmony
+with the same great plan. And the modifications of organic structure,
+which were great in the successive economies, were always in perfect
+correspondence with the earth's physical changes. Nowhere do we meet with
+conflicting plans; but throughout all nature, from the earliest zoöphyte
+and sea-weed of the silurian rocks to the young animals and plants that
+came into existence to-day, and from the choice gems that were produced
+when the earth was without form and void, to the crystals which are now
+forming in the chemist's laboratory, one golden chain of harmony links all
+together, and identifies all as the work of the same infinite mind.
+
+"In all the numerous examples of design which we have selected from the
+various animal and vegetable remains that occur in a fossil state," says
+Dr. Buckland, "there is such a never-failing identity in the fundamental
+principles of their construction, and such uniform adoption of analogous
+means to produce various ends, with so much only of departure from one
+common type of mechanism as was requisite to adapt each instrument to its
+own especial function, and to fit each species to its peculiar place and
+office in the scale of created beings, that we can scarcely fail to
+acknowledge in all these facts a demonstration of the unity of the
+intelligence in which such transcendent harmony originated; and we may
+almost dare to assert that neither atheism nor polytheism would ever have
+found acceptance in the world, had the evidences of high intelligence and
+unity of design which have been disclosed by modern discoveries in
+physical science been fully known to the authors or the abetters of
+systems to which they are so diametrically opposed. It is the same
+handwriting that we read, the same system and contrivance that we trace,
+the same unity of object and relation to final causes which we see
+maintained throughout, and constantly proclaiming the unity of the great
+divine original."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 584.
+
+"The earth, from her deep foundations, unites with the celestial orbs,
+that roll throughout boundless space, to declare the glory and show forth
+the praise of their common Author and Preserver; and the voice of natural
+religion accords harmoniously with the testimonies of revelation, in
+ascribing the origin of the universe to the will of one eternal and
+dominant intelligence, the almighty Lord and supreme First Cause of all
+things that subsist; _the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, before the
+mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made,
+God from everlasting and without end_."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 596.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE IX.
+
+THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW.
+
+
+In all ages of the world, where men have been enlightened enough to reason
+upon the causes of phenomena, a mysterious and a mighty power has been
+imputed to the laws of nature. A large portion of the most enlightened men
+have felt as if those laws not only explain, but possess an inherent
+potency to continue, the ordinary operations of nature. Most men of this
+description, however, have thought that to originate nature must have
+demanded the special exercise of an infinite and all-wise Being. But a
+few, in every age, have endeavored to exalt law into a Creator, as well as
+Controller, of the world. The hypothesis has assumed a great variety of
+forms, and until recently few have attempted to draw it out in all its
+details, and apply it to all nature. Among the ancient philosophers it was
+based on the eternity of matter, and made the foundation of a system of
+rank atheism. Starting with the position, as an axiom, that nothing
+produces nothing,--in other words, that creation out of nothing is
+impossible,--Democritus maintained that all existence was the result of
+two necessary and self-existent principles, viz., space, infinite in
+extent, and atoms, infinite in number. The latter have been eternally in
+motion, in directions varying from right lines; and their necessary
+collisions have produced the various forms of organic and inorganic
+nature. To produce animals and plants, it was only necessary that the
+atoms should be suitably arranged. The only animating principle was the
+rapid agitation of atoms.
+
+In modern times, very few philosophers have ventured to solve the whole
+problem of the universe by any self-acting, self-producing power in
+nature. La Place limited himself to the mode in which the great bodies of
+the universe were produced by the vertical movements of nebulous matter;
+although his object, equally with that of Democritus and Epicurus, was to
+dispense with an intelligent, personal Deity. Lamarck, Geoffrey St.
+Hilaire, and Bory St. Vincent, assuming the existence of matter and its
+laws, have endeavored to show, by the inherent vitality of some parts of
+matter, how the first or lowest classes of animals and plants may have
+been produced; and how, from these, by the theory of development and the
+force of circumstances, all the higher families, with their instincts and
+intellects, may have been evolved. A still more recent, but anonymous,
+writer has had the boldness to unite these nebular hypotheses, with those
+of spontaneous generation and transmutation, into a single system, and to
+attempt to clothe it with the garb of philosophy; nay, to do this in
+consistency, not only with Theism, but with a belief in revelation. This
+theory is what I denominate the _hypothesis of creation by law_. And
+judging from its wide reception, we should be led to infer that it had
+strong probabilities in its favor. It should, therefore, at least receive
+a careful and candid examination. For though many of its statements and
+conclusions are absurd, and some of them are highly ridiculous, the
+hypothesis, at least in some of its parts, falls in with certain loose
+notions that have got possession of the public mind, and which nothing but
+cogent reasoning can eradicate.
+
+Before entering upon such an examination, however, it seems necessary to
+go somewhat more into detail in illustration of the nature of this
+hypothesis. It may conveniently be described under the heads of
+_cosmogony_, which attempts to account for the origin of the world;
+_zoögony_, which explains the origin of animals; and _zoönomy_, which
+describes the laws of animal life.[17]
+
+The cosmogony of this theory is embraced in what is denominated the
+nebular hypothesis, propounded by the eminent mathematician La Place. He
+supposes that, originally, the whole solar system constituted only one
+vast mass of nebulous matter, being expanded into the thinnest vapor and
+gas by heat, and more than filling the space at present occupied by the
+planets. This vapor, he still further supposes, had a revolution from west
+to east on an axis. As the heat diminished by radiation, the nebulous
+matter must condense, and consequently the velocity of rotation must
+increase, and an exterior zone of vapor might be detached; since the
+central attraction might not be able to overcome the increased centrifugal
+force. This ring of vapor might sometimes retain its original form, as in
+the case of Saturn's ring; but the tendency would be, in general, to
+divide into several masses, which, by coalescing again, would form a
+single mass, having a revolution about the sun, and on its axis. This
+would constitute a planet in a state of vapor; and by the detachment of
+successive rings might all the planets be produced. As they went on
+contracting, by the same law, satellites might be formed to each; and the
+ultimate result would be solid planets and satellites, revolving around
+the sun in nearly the same plane, and in the same direction, and also on
+their axes.
+
+Although this hypothesis has been regarded with favor by many
+philosophers, who were Theists, and even Christians, yet the object of La
+Place in proposing it was to sustain atheism. Sir Isaac Newton had
+expressed the conviction that "the admirable arrangement of the solar
+system cannot but be the work of an intelligent and most powerful Being."
+La Place declared that, in this statement, Newton "had deviated from the
+method of true philosophy," and brought forward these views to sustain his
+declaration. Whether they do sustain it, will be considered in another
+place. But since it is one of those modes in which men have attempted to
+account for the universe without a Deity, it is a proper subject of
+examination in this lecture, in which we are inquiring whether law alone
+will account for the creation and sustentation of the universe.
+
+The zoögony of this hypothesis undertakes to show how animals and plants
+may be produced without any special exercise of creating power on the part
+of the Deity. It supposes matter to be endowed with certain laws, whose
+operation alone will determine life in brute matter, or, rather, whose
+operation constitutes life. Some would have it that a part of matter is
+essentially vital; that is, endowed with inherent life; and that this
+matter, like leaven, communicates life to dead matter arranged in a
+certain order. But the more modern view is, that life is produced by
+electrical agency. It is found that the fundamental form of organic beings
+is a globule, having another globule forming within it. It is also found
+that globules may be produced in albumen by electricity; and if we could
+discover how nature produces albumen, it is thought that the whole process
+by which living organisms are produced would be distinctly before us. It
+seems to be simply the operation of electricity, and requires no
+intervention of special creating energy. If the question arises, Whence
+came such marvellous laws to exist in nature? the atheist replies that
+matter and its laws are eternal, having neither beginning nor end; while
+the Theist, who maintains this hypothesis, asserts that, when God created
+matter, he endowed it with such laws, having an inherent, self-executing
+power.
+
+Having thus ascertained, as it supposes, how life and organization in the
+simplest forms may be produced, the next inquiry is, how the more perfect
+and complicated forms of organic beings may be developed by laws, without
+divine power. This constitutes the zoönomy of the subject. The French
+zoölogist, Lamarck, first drew out and formally defended this hypothesis,
+aided by others, as Geoffroy St. Hilaire and Bory St. Vincent. Their
+supposition was, that there is a power in nature, which they sometimes
+denominated the Deity, yet did not allow it to be intelligent and
+independent, but a mere blind, instrumental force. This power, they
+supposed, was able to produce what they called _monads_, or rough draughts
+of animals and plants. These monads were the simplest of all organic
+beings, mere aggregations of matter, some of them supposed to be
+inherently vital. And such monads are the only things ever produced
+directly by this blind deity. But in these monads there was supposed to
+reside an inherent tendency to progressive improvement. The wants of this
+living mass of jelly were supposed to produce such effects as would
+gradually form new organs, as the hands, the feet, and the mouth. These
+changes would be aided by another principle, which they called the _force
+of external circumstances_, by which they meant the influence upon its
+development of its peculiar condition; as, for instance, a conatus for
+flying, produced by the internal principle, would form wings in birds; a
+conatus for swimming in water would form the fins and tails of fishes; and
+a conatus for walking would form the feet and legs of quadrupeds. Thus the
+organs were not formed to meet the wants, but by the wants, of the animal
+and plant. Of course, new wants would produce new organs; and thus have
+animals been growing more and more complicated and perfect from the
+earliest periods of geological history. Man began his course as a monad,
+but, by the force of Lamarck's two principles, has reached the most
+elevated rank on the scale of animals. His last condition before his
+present was that of the monkey tribe, especially that of the orang-outang.
+The advocates of this hypothesis generally, however, suppose that there
+are from three to fifteen species of men, and that the different races are
+not mere varieties of one species. The most perfect species, the
+Caucasian, after leaving the monkey state, has gradually risen through the
+inferior species, and is still making progress; so that we cannot tell
+where they will stop. In general, the advocates of this hypothesis are
+materialists; that is, they do not suppose that there is a soul in man,
+distinct from the body, but that thought is one of the functions of the
+brain. They usually also regard moral qualities as mainly dependent upon
+organization, agreeably to the opinions of ultra phrenologists; and hence
+that they are more to be pitied than blamed for their deviations from
+rectitude.
+
+Such is the hypothesis. Let us now, in the first place, assume it to be
+proved, and see what inferences follow.
+
+_I remark, first, that the occurrence of events according to law does not
+remove the necessity of a divine contriving, superintending, and
+sustaining Power._
+
+That every event in the universe takes place according to fixed laws I am
+ready to admit. For what is a natural law? Nothing more nor less than the
+uniform mode in which divine power acts. In the case of miracles, it may
+be that the ordinary laws of nature are suspended or counteracted; at
+least, they are increased or diminished in their power. Yet from what we
+know of the divine perfections, we must conclude that God has certain
+fixed rules by which he is regulated in the performance of miracles; and,
+of course, in the same circumstances we should expect the same miracles.
+So that we may reasonably admit that even miracles are regulated and
+controlled by law, like common events; though, from the infrequency of the
+former, men cannot understand the laws that regulate them.
+
+Now, if the advocates of this hypothesis mean simply that every event is
+regulated by law,--in other words, that with like antecedents like
+consequents will be connected,--I have no controversy with them; and such
+is the precise statement of a modern anonymous popular writer on the
+subject.
+
+He declares that his "purpose is, to show that the whole revelation of the
+works of God presented to our senses and reason is a system based on what
+we are compelled, for want of a better term, to call _law_; by which,
+however, is not meant a system independent or exclusive of the Deity, but
+one which only proposes _a certain mode of his working_."--_Sequel to the
+Vestiges of Nat. Hist. of Creation_, p. 2.--But this is by no means all
+that is meant by this hypothesis. Nay, the grand object of the writer
+above quoted is, to show that there is no such thing as miraculous
+interference in the creation or preservation of the universe. He admits
+only the ordinary laws of nature, but denies all special and extraordinary
+laws; and says that it does not "appear necessary that God should exercise
+an immediately superintending power over the mundane economy."--_Vestiges_,
+p. 273.--Nay, he denies that the original creation of the universe and of
+animals and plants required any thing but the operation of natural laws;
+of such laws as we see and understand. The thought does not seem to have
+occurred to him, that special and miraculous acts of the Deity may be as
+truly governed by law as the motions of planets. Every thing of that sort
+he seems to regard as a violation of law,--a stepping aside from fixed
+principles,--a sort of afterthought with Jehovah,--a remedy for some
+defect in his original plans. True, the law of miracles and of special
+providence is very different from the common course of nature; and,
+therefore, the one may for a time supersede the others. But this does not
+prove that the former is not regulated by laws; nor that it did not enter
+into the original plan of the universe in the divine mind. It must have
+been a part of that plan; every thing was a part of it, and there can be
+with him no afterthought, no improvement, no alteration of his eternal
+designs.
+
+Admitting that every event, miraculous as well as common, is under law, it
+by no means renders a present directing and energizing Deity unnecessary.
+This hypothesis admits that organic life had a beginning, for its grand
+object is to show how it began by law alone. Now, who gave to matter, in a
+gaseous state, such wonderful laws that this fair world should be the
+result of their operation? If it would require infinite wisdom as well as
+power to create the present universe at once out of nothing, would it
+demand less of contrivance and skill to impart such powers to brute
+matter? It was not merely a power to produce organic natures, to form
+their complicated organs, to give life, and instinct, and intellect; but
+to adapt each particle, each organ, each animal, and each plant, most
+exactly and most wonderfully to its place in the vast system, so that
+every single thing should most beautifully harmonize with every other
+thing.
+
+Again. What is a natural law without the presence and energizing power of
+the lawgiver? How easily are men bewildered by words! and none has led
+more astray than this word _law_. We talk about its power to produce
+certain effects; but who can point out any inherent power of this sort
+which it possesses? Who can show how a law operates but through the
+energizing influence of the lawgiver? How unphilosophical then to separate
+a law of nature from the Deity, and to imagine him to have withdrawn from
+his works! For to do this would be to annihilate the law. He must be
+present every moment, and direct every movement of the universe, just as
+really as the mind of man must be in the body to produce its movements.
+Take away God from the universe, or let him cease to act mentally upon it,
+and every movement would as instantly and certainly cease, as would every
+movement of the human frame, were the mind to be withdrawn, or cease to
+will. We realize the necessity of the divine presence and energy to
+produce a miracle. But if miracles are performed according to law, as much
+as common events,--and we surely cannot prove they are not,--why is a
+present Deity any more necessary in the one case than in the other? The
+Bible considers common and miraculous events exactly alike in this
+respect. And true philosophy teaches the same.
+
+I see not, then, why this law hypothesis does not require an infinite
+Deity, just as much as the ordinary belief, which supposes that God
+originally created the universe by his fiat, and sustains it constantly by
+his power, and from time to time interferes with the regular sequence of
+cause and effect by miracles. The only difference seems to be this: While
+the common view represents God as always watching over his works, and
+ready, whenever necessary, to make special interpositions, the law
+hypothesis introduces him only at the very dawn of the universe, exerting
+his infinite wisdom and power to devise and endow matter with exquisite
+laws, capable, by their inherent self-executing power, of originating all
+organic natures, and producing the infinite variety of nature, and keeping
+in play her countless and unceasing agencies. It was only necessary that
+he should impress attenuated matter with these laws, and then put the
+machine in motion, and it would go on forever, without any need of God's
+presence or agency; so that he might henceforward give himself up to
+undisturbed repose.
+
+I know, indeed, that La Place, and some other advocates of this latter
+hypothesis, do not admit any necessity for a Deity even to originate
+matter or its laws; and to prove this was the object of the nebular
+hypothesis. But how evident that in this he signally failed! For even
+though he could show how nebulous matter, placed in a certain position,
+and having a revolution, might be separated into sun and planets, by
+merely mechanical laws, yet where, save in an infinite Deity, lie the
+power and the wisdom to originate that matter, and to bring it into such a
+condition, that, by blind laws alone, it would produce such a universe--so
+harmonious, so varied, so nicely adjusted in its parts and relations as
+the one we inhabit? Especially, how does this hypothesis show in what
+manner these worlds could be peopled by countless myriads of organic
+natures, most exquisitely contrived, and fitted to their condition? The
+atheist may say that matter is eternal. But if so, what but an infinite
+mind could in time begin the work of organic creation? If the matter
+existed for eternal ages without being brought into order, and into
+organic structures, why did it not continue in the same state forever?
+Does the atheist say, All is the result of laws inherent in matter? But
+how could those laws remain dormant through all past eternity,--that is,
+through a period literally infinite,--and then at length be aroused into
+intense action? Besides, to impute the present wise arrangements and
+organic creations of the world to law, is to endow that law with all the
+attributes with which the Theist invests the Deity. Nothing short of
+intelligence, and wisdom, and benevolence, and power, infinitely above
+what man possesses, will account for the present world. If there is, then,
+a power inherent in matter adequate to the production of such effects,
+that power must be the same as the Deity; and, therefore, it is truly the
+Deity, by whatever name we call it. In short, the fact that La Place did
+not see that his hypothesis utterly failed to account for the universe
+without a Deity, strikingly shows us, that a man may be a giant in
+mathematics, while he is only a pygmy in moral reasoning; or, to make the
+statement more general, how a man, by an exclusive cultivation of one
+faculty of the soul, may shrivel all the rest into a nutshell.
+
+From these views and reasonings, it is clear, I think, that the hypothesis
+of creation by law does not necessarily destroy the theory of religion.
+For if we admit that every thing in the world of matter and of mind, not
+excepting miracles and special providences, is regulated, if not produced,
+by law, it does not take away the necessity of a contriving, sustaining,
+and energizing Deity. Even though we admit that God has communicated to
+nature's laws, at the beginning, a power to execute themselves, (though
+the supposition is quite unphilosophical,) no event is any the less God's
+work, than if all were miraculous.
+
+In consistency with this conclusion, we find that while some advocates of
+this hypothesis evidently intended it to sustain atheism, its most
+plausible advocate, as we have seen, fully admits, not only the divine
+existence, but the reality of revelation. It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether this anonymous writer has not virtually taken away the Deity, and
+even moral accountability, by his materialism and his ultra-phrenology;
+yet we do not see but he may assert his law system without denying God's
+existence or attributes.
+
+It must be admitted, however, that the influence of this hypothesis upon
+practical religion is disastrous. It does, apparently, so remove the Deity
+from all concern in the affairs of the world, and so foists law into his
+place, that practically there is no God. If his agency is acknowledged, as
+having put the vast machine in motion, in some indefinitely remote period
+of past duration, yet the feeling is, that since then he has given up the
+reins into the hands of law, so that man has nothing to do with him, but
+only with nature's laws; that he has only to submit to these, and not
+expect any interposition for his relief, however earnestly he cry for it.
+Now, it is obviously the intention and desire of the advocates of this
+hypothesis thus to remove God away from his works, and from their
+thoughts; else why should they so strenuously resist the notion of
+miracles? For these may just as properly be referred to law as common
+events. Yet it is one of the most striking features of the hypothesis,
+that it opposes strongly the idea of any special oversight and
+interposition on the part of the Deity. True, when we look at the subject
+philosophically, we must acknowledge that an event is just as really the
+work of God, when brought about by laws which he ordains and energizes, as
+by miraculous interposition. Still the practical influence of these two
+views of Providence is quite different.
+
+Whoever the author of the Vestiges may be, he has evidently lived in a
+religious community, and felt the influence of a religious atmosphere; for
+he tries to conform his system as much as possible to the principles of
+Protestant Christianity. In other words, he feels so much the power of
+practical piety around him, that he does not suffer the influence of the
+system which he advocates to exhibit itself fully, nor to drive him into
+those extravagances of belief which naturally result from it. In order to
+see what is its natural tendency, we need to go to such a country as
+Germany, or Switzerland, where there is little to restrain the wildest
+vagaries of belief. In the works of Professor Lorenz Oken, of Zurich, we
+see fully developed the tendencies and results of this hypothesis of
+development by law, combined with the unintelligible idealism of Kant,
+Fichte, Schelling, &c. In his Physio-philosophy, translated by the Ray
+Society for the edification of sober, matter-of-fact Anglo-Saxons, we find
+a man, of strong mind and extensive knowledge, taking the most ridiculous
+positions with the stoutest dogmatism, and the most imperturbable gravity,
+yet whose blasphemy is equalled only by their absurdity. Let a few
+quotations illustrate and confirm this statement.
+
+"The highest mathematical idea, or the fundamental principle of all
+mathematics, is the zero == 0.
+
+"Zero is in itself nothing. Mathematics is based upon nothing, and
+consequently arises out of nothing.
+
+"Real and ideal are no more different from each other than ice and water:
+both of these, as is well known, are essentially one and the same, and yet
+are different, the diversity consisting in the form. Every real is
+absolutely nothing else than a number.
+
+"The Eternal is the nothing of nature.
+
+"There is no other science than that which treats of nothing.
+
+"There exists nothing but nothing--nothing but the Eternal.
+
+"Every thing in the world is endowed with life; the world itself is alive,
+and continues only, maintains itself by virtue of its life.
+
+"Man is God wholly manifested. God has become man, zero has become + --.
+Man is the whole of arithmetic, compacted, however, out of all numbers; he
+can, therefore, produce numbers out of himself.
+
+"Animals are men who never imagine. They are beings who never attain to
+consciousness concerning themselves. They are single accounts; man is the
+whole of mathematics.
+
+"Arithmetic is the truly absolute or divine science. Theology is
+arithmetic personified.
+
+"For God to become real, he must appear under the form of the sphere.
+There is no other form for God. God manifesting is an infinite sphere.
+
+"God is a rotating globe; the world is God rotating.
+
+"The whole universe is material, is nothing but matter; for it is the
+primary act repeating itself eternally in the centre. The universe is a
+rotating globe of matter.
+
+"There is no dead matter; it is alive through its being, through the
+Eternal that is in it. Matter has no existence in itself, but it is the
+Eternal only that exists in it. Every thing is God that is there, and
+without God there is absolutely nothing.
+
+"Every thing that is is material. Now, however, there is nothing that is
+not; consequently there is every where nothing immaterial.
+
+"Fire is the totality of ether, is God manifested in his totality.
+
+"Every thing that is has originated out of fire; every thing is only
+cooled, rigidified fire.
+
+"God being in himself is gravity; acting, self-emergent light; both
+together, or returning into himself, heat.
+
+"God only is monocentral. The world is the bicentral God, God the
+monocentral world, which is the same with the monas and dyas.
+Self-consciousness is a living ellipse.
+
+"God is a threefold trinity; at first the eternal, then the ethereal, and
+finally the terrestrial, where it is completely divided.
+
+"The symbolical doctrine of the colors is correct according to the
+philosophy of nature. Red is fire, love--Father. Blue is air, truth, and
+belief--Son. Green is water, formation, hope--Ghost. These are the three
+cardinal virtues. Yellow is earth, the immovable, inexorable falsity, the
+only vice--Satan. There are three virtues, but only one vice. A result
+obtained by physio-philosophy, whereof pneumato-philosophy as yet augurs
+nothing.
+
+"The primary mucus, out of which every thing organic has been created, is
+the sea mucus.
+
+"The whole sea is alive. It is a fluctuating, ever self-elevating, and
+ever self-depressing organism.
+
+"If the organic fundamental substance consist of infusoria, so must the
+whole organic world originate from infusoria. Plants and animals can be
+only metamorphoses of infusoria. No organism has consequently been created
+of larger size than an infusorial point; whatever is larger has not been
+created, but developed.
+
+"The mind, just as the body, must be developed out of these animals,
+(infusoria.) The human body has been formed by an extreme separation of
+the neuro-protoplasmic or mucous mass; so must the human mind be a
+separation, a memberment of infusorial sensation. The highest mind is an
+anatomized or dismembered mesmerism, each member whereof has been
+constituted independent in itself.
+
+"The liver is the soul in a state of sleep, the brain is the soul active
+and awakening.
+
+"Circumspection and forethought appear to be the thoughts of the bivalve
+mollusca, and snails.
+
+"Gazing upon a snail, one believes that he finds the prophesying goddess
+sitting upon the tripod. What majesty is in a creeping snail, what
+reflection, what earnestness, what timidity, and yet at the same time what
+firm confidence! Surely a snail is an exalted symbol of mind slumbering
+deeply within itself."
+
+It is difficult for an Anglo-Saxon mind to believe that a man who could
+write thus was not out of his senses. Yet Oken is an eminent physiologist,
+and has made, it is said, important discoveries in respect to the cranial
+homologies, which have been developed in Professor Owen's work on the
+Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton. Nay, Oken declares himself to have
+written his Physio-philosophy "in a kind of inspiration"--from what world
+the religious man might be in doubt.
+
+These extravagant notions show what is the natural tendency of the law
+hypothesis. Yet it does not necessarily convert a man into an atheist. And
+if any of its advocates declare themselves Theists, and even Christians,
+we need not regard them as hypocrites, though we may consider them as in
+an eminently dangerous position; and that, when they shall act
+consistently, they will swing off into utter irreligion. But my arguments
+against the hypothesis will be based on the position that _it is not
+sustained by facts_; and this is the second position of my lecture.
+
+The nebular hypothesis is a part of the foundation on which the doctrine
+of creation by law rests. And the high scientific reputation of its
+author, as well as its apparent coincidence with some of the deductions of
+geology respecting the earliest condition of the earth, have made
+philosophers look upon it with considerable favor. Yet very few have been
+ready to give it implicit credence. And of late the most plausible
+evidence in its favor seems to be fast vanishing away. The ablest
+mechanicians are unable to see how a rotary motion should be produced in
+nebulous matter by refrigeration; or, if this be assumed, how the
+successive portions, detached by superior centrifugal force, should form
+spherical masses. But a still more formidable objection lies in the fact
+that, as improvements are made in telescopes, one and another of the
+nebulæ, on which the hypothesis rests, have been resolved into stars; and
+the presumption hence arising is very strong that all are resolvable. In
+the present aspect of the subject, no sagacious philosopher would dare to
+rest even an hypothesis upon the unresolved nebulæ. If, however, the
+nebular hypothesis were shown to be true, it would prove nothing in regard
+to the production of animals and plants by mere law, without the special
+agency of the Deity.
+
+The essential and inherent vitality of some kinds of matter is another
+doctrine on which this hypothesis rests. "In vain," says Bory St. Vincent,
+"has matter been considered as eminently brute. Many observations prove
+that, if it is not all active, by its very nature, a part of it is
+essentially so; and the presence of this, operating according to certain
+laws, is able to produce life in an agglomeration of the molecules; and
+since these laws will always be imperfectly known, it will at least be
+rash to maintain that an infinite intelligence did not impose them; since
+they are manifested by their results."--_Dictionnaire Classique
+d'Histoire Naturelle_, art. _Materie_.
+
+The "observations" to which this writer refers to sustain his hypothesis
+are those which had been made upon certain vegetable infusions, which, in
+certain circumstances, exhibited minute particles in motion, apparently by
+vital forces. These were called _monads_, and were not supposed to be
+distinct animals, but only atoms, ready to be organized. The more modern
+and accurate researches of Ehrenberg and others, however, have shown,
+beyond all doubt, that these monads are true animals, the minutest of all
+living beings hitherto discovered. Not less than twenty-six species of
+them have been described and figured by microscopists, the smallest of
+which never exceeds the twelve thousandth of an inch in diameter.
+
+The vegetable physiologists have described certain peculiar motions in the
+minute vessels of plants, that might readily be regarded as matter
+essentially vital. I refer to what they call _rotation_ and _cyclosis_.
+But these are never seen save in the living plant; and, therefore, seem
+dependent on the general life of the vegetable.
+
+There is, however, danger of mistaking certain motions of the particles of
+matter, by chemical agency, for the effect of vitality. A curious example
+is thus described by Ehrenberg, which was discovered by Professor
+Bornsdorff. "If a solution of the chloride of aluminum be dropped into a
+solution of potassa, by the alternate precipitation and solution of the
+aluminum, in the excess of the alkali, an appearance will be given to the
+drop of aluminate matter, by the chemical changes and reactions which take
+place, as if the _Amoeba diffluens_ were actually present, both as to
+its form and evolutions, and will seem to be alive. Such appearance is
+considered by its able discoverer as bearing the same relationship to the
+real animalcule as a doll, or a figure moved by mechanism, does to a
+living child."
+
+We see, then, that the supports on which rests the doctrine of the
+essential vitality of matter, give way before better instruments and more
+careful research. Another statement, however, of much higher pretensions,
+has lately been made, and on no mean authority. Able electricians declare
+that, by passing currents of galvanism through solutions of silicate or
+ferrocyanate of potassa, or some analogous substance, after a time,
+sometimes several years, numerous small insects have been developed,
+belonging to the _acari_ family.
+
+These experiments appear to have been conducted with fairness and skill;
+and that the insects showed themselves at the pole of the battery, around
+which the gelatinous silex collected, cannot be doubted. It is true,
+however, that, when the solution was exposed to the atmosphere, the
+insects appeared much sooner and more numerous than when care was taken to
+exclude every thing but oxygen enough to sustain life. This fact leads to
+the suspicion that the ova of the insect might have been communicated
+through the air, and that, even when an attempt was made to exclude the
+atmosphere, some ova were still present. This conclusion is rendered still
+more probable by some experiments made by Professor Schulz, of Berlin, on
+the production of infusoria. Having first boiled the vegetable and animal
+infusions, so as to destroy all germs of organic life, and expelled all
+the atmosphere, he attached an apparatus in such a manner that, whatever
+air entered afterwards, must pass through sulphuric acid, or a solution of
+potash. The result was, that no infusoria or vegetable forms appeared
+during two months; but in the same infusion, placed in the open air, and
+exposed to the same light and heat as that enclosed in the glass vessel,
+numerous animalcula and fungi appeared in a day or two. It will need,
+therefore, very long and patient experiments to establish the assertion
+that galvanism alone can produce living animals without the presence of
+germs.
+
+Not many years since, the equivocal or casual production of animalcula,
+without any other parentage than law, was thought to be made out by a
+multitude of facts. For these minute creatures appeared almost every
+where, and in places where it seemed impossible that their ova should be
+found. But the researches of Ehrenberg have cleared up the difficulties of
+their origination in the ordinary modes of reproduction, in nearly every
+instance, and the advocates of the law hypothesis have been fairly driven
+from this stronghold of their argument. In describing the various modes of
+reproduction with which nature has provided the infusoria, Professor Owen
+says, "Thus each leaves, by the last act of its life, the means of
+perpetuating and diffusing its species by thousands of fertile germs. When
+once the thickly tenanted pool is dried up, and its bottom converted into
+a layer of dust, these inconceivably minute and light ova will be raised
+with the dust by the first puff of wind, diffused through the atmosphere,
+and may there remain long suspended; forming, perhaps, their share of the
+particles which we see flickering in the sunbeam, ready to fall into any
+collection of water, beaten down by every summer shower into the streams
+or pools which receive or may be formed by such showers, and, by virtue of
+their tenacity of life, ready to develop themselves whenever they may find
+the requisite conditions of their existence. The possibility, or, rather,
+the high probability, that such is the design of the oviparous generation
+of the infusoria, and such the common mode of the diffusion of their ova,
+renders the hypothesis of equivocal generation, which has been so
+frequently invoked to explain their origin in new-formed natural or
+artificial infusions, quite gratuitous."--_Lectures on Comp. Anat._ vol.
+ii. p. 31.
+
+No longer able to maintain a foothold among the animalcula, the defenders
+of this hypothesis have of late attempted to take a stand among animals of
+a somewhat higher grade, viz., the entozoa, or animals inhabiting other
+animals. These being considerably larger than the infusoria, their ova
+could not float in the atmosphere; but they possess a wonderful tenacity
+of life; some of them exhibiting signs of life after having been in
+boiling water for an hour; others have revived after having been packed
+for a long time in ice, and frozen; others have revived after lying in a
+dried state for six or seven years. Their power of reproduction, in the
+ordinary modes, is also prodigious, exceeding even that of the infusoria.
+It will, then, demand very strong evidence to prove that such animals
+possess also the power of spontaneous production, without parentage, or
+that their existence within other animals cannot be explained without such
+a supposition. For, if capable of being produced without parentage, why
+should such extraordinary care have been taken for their multiplication,
+in almost all the ordinary modes in which animals are reproduced?
+
+The extraordinary facts that have been discovered by Professors
+Steenstrup, Owen, and others, within a few years, respecting what they
+call _alternate generation_, or _parthenogenesis_, have been thought
+favorable to the hypothesis of development. Among the mollusca, the
+polyparia, the entozoa, and infusoria, it is found that, in some species,
+the result of sexual union is the production of a larva without sex, and,
+therefore, incapable of propagating in the usual way. Yet that larva can
+of itself produce another larva quite different from itself, and this
+larva another, and so on, sometimes for eight or ten generations, when the
+spermatic force seems to be exhausted, and a progeny exactly like the
+original parents that started the series is produced, capable of giving
+rise to another and a similar series. Here, then, we find a succession of
+progeny for several generations, and all quite unlike one another, yet
+without any immediate parental agency. Why is it not an example of
+spontaneous generation? and why may not new species be produced in this
+manner?
+
+There are two facts prominent on this subject which afford a full answer
+to such questions. One is, that these generations of larvæ always begin
+with the spermatozoon and the ovum of parents; the other is, that the
+series always closes, if allowed to run its natural course, in individuals
+with sex, exactly identical with those that started it; so that the
+species always remains entire. The whole process is simply one of the
+infinitely varied modes which nature employs to preserve and perfect the
+species. The process never stops with any of the larvæ intervening between
+the fertile parents at the beginning, and the fertile individuals at the
+end of the series. Professor Owen supposes--certainly with much
+plausibility--that some of the original germ-cells, not wanted for the
+production of the first larva, pass on to form the successive generations,
+till the series is complete; so that, after all, the case is not an
+exception to the general law of reproduction by parental agency; and
+instead of sustaining, it certainly goes against, the notion of
+spontaneous generation and of transmutation of species; because it shows
+how far parental influence may reach, and how tenacious nature is of
+specific distinctions. For the same reasons, the case affords a
+presumption against other alleged cases of equivocal generation and
+metamorphoses of species.[18]
+
+Appeal has also been made to the vegetable kingdom for examples of the
+production of organic beings, viz., plants without seeds. Who has not
+observed, for instance, how the clearing up and burning over of a piece of
+land will often cause an entirely new tribe of plants to spring up and
+flourish? Whence came the seeds? We have seen, for instance, (in Richmond,
+Virginia,) a thick growth of pines upon a spot where from six to ten feet
+of soil had been removed a few years previously.
+
+It is very possible, in some cases of this kind, that the soil, having
+been produced by aqueous agencies, may contain seeds to a considerable
+depth, and that their vitality may have been preserved for centuries; for
+we know that seeds three thousand years old, taken from Egyptian
+catacombs, have germinated, in favorable circumstances. In most cases of
+this sort, however, the winds have probably supplied the seed, it may be,
+long before. We were one day wandering over Mount Holyoke, where a spot
+recently cleared was covered with the fire-weed, a species of senecio; and
+as we were musing upon its origin, a strong blast of wind swept over the
+plants, just ready to throw off their seeds. Sustained by their light
+egrets, they floated away on the air in numbers sufficient to cover half
+the mountain with the plant, when it should be cleared and burnt over. Yet
+their existence would never be suspected till those circumstances should
+be developed. At least, until we can prove that the soil contains no
+seeds by the most careful examination, it will be premature to infer the
+equivocal production of the plants growing upon it.
+
+Vegetable physiology furnishes another fact, which seems to me to look
+still more favorable to this law hypothesis than the preceding, although
+it has not been noticed, so far as I know, by the advocates of that
+hypothesis. Speaking of the matter of which certain flowerless plants are
+composed, Dr. Lindlay says, "It is even uncertain whether this matter will
+produce its like, and whether it is not a mere representation of the vital
+principle of vegetation, capable of being called into action, either as a
+fungus, or algæ, or lichen, according to the particular conditions of
+heat, light, and moisture, and the medium in which it is placed; producing
+fungi upon dead or putrid organic beings, lichens upon living vegetables,
+earth, or stones, and algæ where water is the medium in which it is
+developed." Again, in speaking of that green slime which often covers the
+soil, rocks, walls, and glass in damp places, he says, "The slime
+resembles a layer of albumen, spread with a brush; it exfoliates in
+drying, and finally becomes visible by the manner in which it colors green
+or deep brown. One might call it a provisional creation, waiting to be
+organized, and then assuming different forms according to the nature of
+the corpuscles which penetrate it, or develop among it. It may further be
+said to be the origin of two very distinct existences, the one certainly
+animal, the other purely vegetable."--_Natural System_, pp. 326, 328, 334.
+
+Now, admitting all the facts that have been detailed respecting the
+production of infusoria, entozoa, acari, and cryptogamian plants to be
+true, although most of them are far from being proved, it seems to me that
+they do not show us how vitality is produced by mere law, without the
+special agency of the Deity. Writers on the subject seem to overlook the
+distinction between organization and life. The first may be present in its
+highest perfection without the latter, as it is in animals and plants
+recently killed. The organization is merely a preparation to receive the
+mysterious principles which we call _life_ and _intellect_. Light, heat,
+and electricity may be the essential agents in producing the organization,
+but they do not explain the nature, or account for the presence, of life.
+That must, so far as we know, come from some other and a higher source.
+Galvanism may bring gelatinous matter into the form of an insect, or
+infusoria, or entozoa; but there is no evidence that it can impart life,
+however exquisite the organization. It may be, and we have reason to
+suppose it is, the divine will to bestow life whenever a certain
+organization exists; but this does not show that his special agency is not
+concerned in it. He may will that the peculiar life of a lichen shall be
+given to the same elementary matter which, in another situation, he
+constitutes an alga, or a fungus, or even an animal. But this would not
+prove that natural law alone could produce life. There is nowhere any
+evidence that sensibility, contractility, and especially intellect and
+volition, are the result of any natural operations. In their properties
+they are so entirely diverse from all known physical effects, that we must
+impute them to some other than a natural cause. We must call in the power
+of a supreme intelligent Being. The laws of affinity, light, heat, and
+electricity, of endosmose and exosmose, may prepare the organization, but
+their power ends there; and hence true philosophy requires us to impute
+the phenomena of life and intellect to an extraneous and infinitely higher
+cause.
+
+The case, then, stands thus: In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, we
+are certain that organization requires the previous existence and agency
+of a being similarly organized, which we call the parent. But suppose
+that, in a very few cases, the laws of nature can produce the
+organization. It still demands another and a higher power--not a blind
+impulse, but an intelligent cause--to bestow life and intellect. To prove
+the existence of a natural cause for the arrangement of the atoms into an
+organic structure, does by no means prove the same for those higher and
+mysterious principles that make that structure a living, thinking being.
+
+Such, however, are the strongest arguments by which the advocates of the
+law hypothesis sustain their views of the origin of organism, life, and
+intellect. The next step in their reasoning is to show how animals and
+plants may be transmuted from one species, or genus, or family, to
+another; so that the existing vast variety can be traced to a few original
+germs. They maintain that these developments of the more from the less
+perfect have proceeded along certain parallel lines; one series of
+developments, for instance, taking the line of the fishes, another of the
+reptiles, another of the birds, another of quadrupeds, and so on.
+
+To prove these developments or transmutations, they appeal first to the
+physiological history of the mammalian embryo. In its earliest stages, it
+can hardly be distinguished, except in size, from the unborn polygastric
+infusoria. The brain of a human embryo appears at first like that of an
+invertebrate animal; next like that of a fish; then successively like that
+of a reptile, a bird, a rodent mammal, a ruminant, and a monkey. So the
+heart, at an early stage, looks like that of an insect; then it has two
+chambers, like that of a fish; then it becomes three chambered, like that
+of a reptile; and finally, four chambered, as in the mammalia. The
+inference which these theorists would draw from such facts is, that man
+actually begins his existence as an animalcule, and passes successively
+through the mould or condition of other animals, before he reaches the
+highest. And the reasons why he does become a man, rather than an
+echinoderm, or a fish, or a monkey, is only some slightly modifying
+circumstance, as, for instance, a longer gestation. It appears to me,
+however, that the inferences sound philosophy should derive from such
+facts are, first, that, while there is a seeming resemblance between the
+human embryo and that of lower animals, there is, in fact, a real and a
+wide diversity; so that the one infallibly becomes an inferior animal, and
+the other a man. Could a single example be produced in which a human
+embryo stopped at and became an insect, or a fish, or a monkey, there
+might be some plausibility in the supposition. But it is as certain to
+become a man as the sun is to rise and set; and, therefore, the human
+condition results from laws as fixed as those that regulate the movements
+of the heavenly bodies. That is a very superficial philosophy which infers
+identity of nature from mere external resemblance.
+
+The phenomena of hybridity furnish another ground of argument in favor of
+the transmutation of species, and of course in favor of the law
+hypothesis; for that hybrids are sometimes the result of the union of
+different species will not be denied. There is, however, a natural
+repugnance to union between different species; and in a state of nature
+this can very rarely be overcome. But domestication changes and almost
+obliterates many natural instincts, and hence hybridity is far more common
+among domesticated animals and plants. As a general fact, also, the hybrid
+offspring is incapable of propagating its own race, without union with one
+of the original species by which it was produced; and this inability to
+continue this mixed race has been generally regarded among naturalists as
+the best characteristic of species. Some, however, attempt to show that
+some hybrid races do continue from generation to generation to propagate
+their kind. But in most cases the hybrid race ere long runs out, and there
+is always a strong tendency to revert to the original stock; and were it
+not for the influence of man, probably such a thing as hybridity would
+scarcely ever have been heard of. Nature seems to have established strong
+barriers around species, so that an identity should be preserved; and even
+if we admit the possibility of their coalescence in some cases, yet we
+have evidence that almost always they are preserved distinct from century
+to century; and the same is true even of the more prominent varieties, for
+we find not only the same species, but the same varieties of animals and
+plants, preserved some three thousand years in the Egyptian catacombs,
+that are now alive in the same country. How idle, then, to suppose that
+the laws of hybridity will account for such radical and entire
+transmutations as this hypothesis supposes! To accomplish this, it would
+need as strong a tendency in nature to a union of species, genera, and
+families, as now exists against it.
+
+But a special appeal has been made on this subject to geology. The history
+of organic remains, it is thought, corresponds to what we might expect, if
+the hypothesis of development is true. In the oldest rocks we find chiefly
+the more simple invertebrate animals, and the vertebrated tribes appear at
+first in the form of fish, then of reptiles, then of birds, then of
+mammals, and last of all of man. What better confirmation could we wish
+than this gradually expanding series? True, all the great classes of
+organic beings, vegetable and animal, are found nearly at the earliest
+epoch, and continue through the entire series of rocks. But we have only
+to suppose a distinct stirps for each of the classes, and that the
+developments took place along parallel lines, in order to harmonize the
+facts with the hypothesis.
+
+Such a general view of the subject of organic remains seems to give
+plausibility to the hypothesis of organic development. But the tables are
+turned when we descend to particulars. The idea of a distinct stirps or
+germ for each great class of animals and plants seems to me to destroy an
+essential feature of the hypothesis. It supposes that law produces at once
+a vertebral animal and a flowering plant; for the first, certainly, we
+find in the very lowest of the fossiliferous rocks. "The lower silurian,"
+says Sir Roderick Murchison, in 1847, "is no longer to be viewed as an
+invertebrate period, for the onchus (a genus of fish) has been found in
+the Llandeilo Flags, and in the lower silurian rocks of Bala."
+
+It is also a most important fact, that this fish of the oldest rock was
+not, as the development scheme would require, of a low organization, but
+quite high on the scale of fishes. The same is true of all the earliest
+species of this class. "All our most ancient fossil fishes," says
+Professor Sedgwick, "belong to a high organic type; and the very oldest
+species that are well determined fall naturally into an order of fishes
+which Owen and Müller place, not at the bottom, but at the top of the
+whole class."--_Discourse on the Studies of the University_, &c. 5th edit.
+p. lxiv. pref.
+
+This point has been fully and ably discussed by Hugh Miller, Esq., in his
+late work, "The Footprints of the Creator, or the Asterolepis of
+Stromness." The asterolepis was one of these fishes found in the old red
+sandstone, sometimes over twenty feet long; yet, says Mr. Miller, "instead
+of being, as the development hypothesis would require, a fish low in its
+organization, it seems to have ranged on the level of the highest
+ichthyic-reptilian families ever called into existence."
+
+Another point which Mr. Miller has labored hard to establish, and of which
+there seems to be no reasonable doubt, is, that in many families of
+animals, not only were the first species that appeared of high
+organization, but there was a gradual degradation among those that were
+created afterwards. Of the fishes generally, he says, that "the progress
+of the race, as a whole, though it still retains not a few of the higher
+forms, has been a progress, not of development from the low to the high,
+but of degradation from the high to the low." Again he says, "We know, as
+geologists, that the dynasty of the fish was succeeded by that of the
+reptile; that the dynasty of the reptile was succeeded by that of the
+mammiferous quadruped; and that the dynasty of the mammiferous quadruped
+was succeeded by that of man, as man now exists--a creature of a mixed
+character, and subject, in all conditions, to wide alternations of
+enjoyment and suffering. We know further,--so far, at least, as we have
+succeeded in deciphering the record,--that the several dynasties were
+introduced, not in their lower, but in their higher forms; that, in short,
+in the imposing programme of creation, it was arranged as a general rule,
+that in each of the great divisions of the procession the magnates should
+walk first. We recognize yet further the fact of degradation specially
+exemplified in the fish and the reptile." "Among these degraded races,
+that of the footless serpent, which _goeth upon its belly_, has long been
+noted by the theologian as a race typical, in its condition and nature, of
+an order of hopelessly degraded beings, borne down to the dust by a
+clinging curse; and curiously enough, when the first comparative
+anatomists in the world give _their_ readiest and most prominent instance
+of degradation among the divisions of the natural world, it is this very
+order of footless reptiles that they select."
+
+Among the invertebrate animals are numerous examples of the deterioration
+of a race. M. Alcide D'Orbigny, one of the most accomplished of living
+paleontologists, in his _Cours Elementaire de Paleontologie et de
+Geologie_, speaks as follows of the cephalopods found in the oldest rocks:
+"See, then, the result; the cephalopods, the most perfect of the mollusks,
+which lived in the early period of the world, show a progress of
+degradation in their generic forms. We insist on this fact relative to the
+cephalopods, which we shall hereafter compare with the less perfect
+classes of mollusks, since it must lead to the conclusion that the
+mollusks, as to their classes, have certainly retrograded from the
+compound to the simple, or from the more to the less perfect."
+
+Such facts as these are absolutely fatal to the hypothesis of development;
+and geology abounds with them. Indeed, through all her archives, we search
+in vain for facts that show any thing like a passage of one species,
+genus, or family, into another. Certain distinct types characterize the
+different formations up to a certain period, when there is a sudden
+change; and in the subsequent strata we find animals and plants entirely
+different from those that have disappeared. The new races are, indeed,
+often of a higher grade than those that preceded them, but could not have
+sprung from them.
+
+The true theory of animal and vegetable existence on our globe appears to
+be this: Such natures were placed upon the earth as were adapted to its
+varying condition. When the earliest group was created, such were the
+climate, the atmosphere, the waters, and the means of subsistence, that
+the lower tribes were best adapted to the condition of things. That group
+occupied the earth till such changes had occurred as to make it unsuited
+to their natures, and consequently they died out, and new races were
+brought in; not by mere law, but by divine benevolence, power, and wisdom.
+These tribes also passed away, when the condition of things was so changed
+as to be uncongenial to their natures, to give place to a third group, and
+these again to a fourth, and so on to the present races, which, in their
+turn, perhaps, are destined to become extinct. From the first, however,
+the changes which the earth has undergone, as to temperature, soil, and
+climate, have been an improvement of its condition; so that each
+successive group of animals and plants could be more and more complicated
+and perfect; and therefore we find an increase and development of
+flowering plants and vertebral animals. And yet, from the beginning, all
+the great classes seem to have existed, so that the changes have been only
+in the proportion of the more and less perfect at different periods. In
+short, we have only to suppose that the Creator exactly adapted organic
+natures to the several geological periods, and we perfectly explain the
+phenomena of organic remains. But the doctrine of development by law
+corresponds only in a loose and general way to the facts, and cannot be
+reconciled to the details. If that hypothesis cannot get a better foothold
+somewhere else, it will soon find its way into the limbo of things
+abortive and forgotten.
+
+I have now noticed, I believe, the principal sources of evidence in which
+the law hypothesis rests; and at the best, we find only a possibility, but
+rarely, if ever, a probability, that such a power exists in nature. I turn
+now, for a few moments, to the arguments on the other side; that is,
+against the hypothesis.
+
+_And first, it cannot explain the wonderful adaptation of animals and
+plants to their condition and to one another._
+
+There is not a more striking thing in nature than that adaptation; and
+geology shows us that it has always been so. Now, if any thing requires
+the exercise of infinite wisdom and power, it is this feature of creation.
+But according to this hypothesis, the laws of nature may be so arranged as
+to create every animal and plant just at the right time, and place them in
+the right spot, and adjust every thing around them to their nature and
+wants. In other words, it supposes law capable of doing what only infinite
+wisdom and power can do. What is this but ascribing infinite perfection to
+law, and imputing to it effects which only an infinite intelligence could
+bring about? In other words, it is making a Deity of the laws which he
+ordains. Theoretically it may be of little importance by what name men
+call the Deity; but practically to impute natural effects to law, as an
+independent power, is to put a blind, unintelligent agency in the place of
+Jehovah.
+
+_In the second place, where one fact in nature looks favorable to this
+hypothesis, a thousand facts teach the contrary._
+
+Take for example the reproduction of animals. Out of every thousand
+individuals we have certain evidence that nine hundred and ninety-nine are
+brought into existence by the ordinary modes of generation; that is, they
+depend upon progenitors. Still, if in the thousandth case the animal's
+existence was clearly casual, if we could see an elephant, or an ox, start
+into life without parental agency, that single case would prove the
+hypothesis. But never do its advocates pretend that any of the larger
+animals are produced in this way. Nor is it till they get among the
+smaller and obscure animals, whose habits are very difficult to trace out,
+that we find any examples where a suspicion even can exist of the
+communication of vitality irrespective of parental agency. Is not a strong
+presumption hence produced that further and more scrutinizing observation
+will show the few excepted cases not to be real exceptions? Does not sound
+philosophy demand that the proof of the casual production of the
+thousandth case shall be as decided as that of the normal generation of
+the nine hundred and ninety-nine? But no one, it seems to me, will pretend
+that any thing like such certainty exists in a single example throughout
+all nature. The presumption, then, is really more than a thousand to one
+against the hypothesis.
+
+Take an example from hybridity. While a thousand species retain from age
+to age their individuality, not more than one coalesces with its neighbor,
+and loses its identity. And even here, all admit that there is a constant
+tendency in the hybrid race to revert to the original stock; and there is
+strong reason to believe that this will sooner or later take place, and
+that it would speedily occur in every case, were it not for the influence
+of domestication. Such facts make the presumption very strong, that
+species are permanent, and any extensive metamorphosis impossible.
+Hybridity appears to be in a measure unnatural; and the old proverb true
+in respect to it--
+
+  "Si furca naturam expellas,
+  Usque recurret."
+
+By the hypothesis under consideration, we ought to expect at least a few
+examples of the formation of new organs in animals, in the efforts of
+nature to advance towards a more perfect state. It has usually been said
+that the time since animals were first described is too short for such
+development. But we have examples, from the catacombs of Egypt, of animals
+and plants that lived in that country three thousand years ago; and yet,
+according to Cuvier,--and who is a better judge?--they are precisely like
+the living species. Strange that this great length of time should not have
+produced even one new organ, or the marks of a conatus to produce one. We
+are, indeed, pointed to the different varieties of the human species, as
+examples of this progress. But these diversities, also, can be shown to be
+the same now as at the earliest date of historical records; and where,
+then, is the evidence that they ever have undergone, or ever will undergo,
+any change of importance? There may indeed be examples of amalgamation,
+but under favorable circumstances the original varieties are again
+developed.
+
+_In the third place, geology contradicts this hypothesis._
+
+We have seen that it offers no satisfactory explanation of the gradual
+increase of the more perfect animals and plants, as we rise higher in the
+rocks. That fact is most perfectly explained by supposing that divine
+wisdom and benevolence adapted the new species, which from time to time
+were created, to the changing and improving condition of the earth. A
+multitude of species have been dug from the rocks; but not one exhibits
+evidence of the development of new organs in the manner described by this
+hypothesis. New species often appear, but they differ as decidedly from
+the previous ones as species now do; and at the beginning of each
+formation there is often a very decided advance in the organic beings from
+those found in the top of the subjacent formation. How can this hypothesis
+explain such sudden changes, when its essential principle is, that the
+progress of the development is uniform? Nothing can explain them surely
+but special creating interposition.
+
+Geology also shows us that for a vast period the world existed without
+inhabitants. Now, what was it that gave the laws of nature power, after so
+long an operation unproductive of vitality, to produce organic natures?
+Who can conceive of any inherent force that should thus enable them, all
+at once, to do what true philosophy shows to have demanded infinite
+skill?
+
+In short, of all the sciences, geology most clearly shows special divine
+interference to explain its phenomena. It presents us with such stupendous
+changes, after long periods of repose, such sudden exhibitions of life,
+springing forth from the bosom of universal death, that nothing but
+divine, special, miraculous agency can explain the results. And of all the
+vast domains of nature, it seems to me no part is so barren of facts to
+sustain this hypothesis as the rocks; nor so full of facts for its
+refutation. These, however, have been so fully detailed in a previous part
+of this lecture that they need not be here repeated.
+
+_In the fourth place, the prodigious increase of the power and the means
+of reproduction, which we find among the lower tribes of animals, affords
+a strong presumption against this hypothesis._
+
+The animals highest on the scale, and most perfect in their organization,
+have only one mode of reproduction, viz., the viviparous. Descending a
+little lower, we come to the oviparous and ovoviviparous tribes. Passing
+to the invertebrate animals, we meet with two other modes of reproduction,
+the gemmiparous and fissiparous. In the first mode, the animal is
+propagated by buds, like some plants, as the tiger lily; by the second
+mode, a spontaneous division of the animal takes place.
+
+Now, in some of the lowest of the invertebrate tribes, we find most of the
+modes of propagation that have been enumerated in operation; so that the
+same individual in one set of circumstances is oviparous, in another
+gemmiparous or fissiparous. The consequence is, a power of multiplication
+inconceivably great. Mr. Owen calculates that the _ascaris lumbricoides_,
+the most common intestinal worm, is capable of producing sixty-four
+millions of young; and Ehrenberg asserts that the _hydatina senta_, one of
+the infusoria, increased in twelve days to sixteen millions, and another
+species, in four days, to one hundred and seventy billions.
+
+Why, now, are these astonishing powers of reproduction given to these
+minute animals, if it be true that they can also be produced without
+parentage, and by mere law? This latter mode would supersede the necessity
+of the former; and therefore, the care taken by Providence to provide the
+former is a strong presumption that the latter does not exist.
+
+_In the fifth place, it is an instructive fact on this subject that, as
+instruments have been improved, and observations have become more
+searching, the supposed cases of spontaneous generation have diminished_,
+until it is not pretended now that it takes place except in a very few
+tribes, and those the most obscure and difficult to observe of all living
+things. A hundred years ago, naturalists, and especially other men, might
+easily have been made to believe that many of the smaller insects had a
+casual origin. But long since, save in the matter of the acari, the
+entomological field has been abandoned by the advocates of the law
+hypothesis, and they have been driven from one tribe after another, till
+at length some of the obscure hiding-places of the entozoa and infusoria
+are now the only spots where the light is not too strong for the
+large-pupiled eyes of this hypothesis. Is not the presumption hence
+arising very strong that it will need only a little further improvement in
+instruments and care in observation to carry daylight into these recesses,
+and demonstrate the parentage and normal development of all organic
+beings?
+
+_Finally. The gross materialism inseparable from this hypothesis is a
+strong argument against it._
+
+I am not aware that any one, except Oken, perhaps, has ever attempted to
+show that mind, as a spiritual essence, distinct from matter, has been
+created by natural laws; in other words, that there is in nature a power
+to produce mind. All such maintain that intellect is material, or, rather,
+the result of organization, the mere function of the brain, as are also
+life and instinct. Generally, also, they contend--and, indeed, consistency
+seems to require it--that the moral powers depend chiefly upon different
+developments of the brain; so that a disposition to do wrong results more
+from organization than from punishable mental obliquity; indeed, the worst
+of criminals are often, on this account, more to be pitied than blamed,
+and the physician is of more importance than the moralist and the divine
+for their reformation.
+
+Now, if this system of materialism is true, we ought to embrace it,
+without any fear of ultimate bad effects. But a philosopher will hesitate
+long before he adopts a system which thus seems to degrade man from his
+lofty standing as a spiritual, accountable, and immortal being, and makes
+his intellectual and moral powers dependent upon the structure of the
+brain, and, therefore, destined to perish with the material organization,
+with no hope of future existence, unless God chooses to recreate the man.
+Nay, if there be no distinct spirit in man, what evidence have we that
+there is one in Jehovah? A true philosopher, I say, will demand very
+strong evidence before he adopts any hypothesis that leads a logical mind
+to such conclusions; and I see not how the one under consideration can
+terminate in any thing else.
+
+Such are the reasons that lead me to reject the hypothesis of creation by
+law. I have endeavored to treat the subject in a candid and philosophical
+manner, not charging atheism upon its advocates when they declare
+themselves Theists and Christians. Neither have I called in the aid of
+ridicule, as might easily be done, and as, in fact, has been done by
+almost every opponent of the system who has written upon it. I have
+endeavored to show that the hypothesis, tried in the balances of sound
+philosophy, is found wanting; because, in the first place, the facts
+adduced to sustain it are insufficient; and secondly, because, where one
+fact seems to favor it, a thousand testify against it. Is not the
+conclusion a fair one, that the hypothesis has no solid foundation? Is not
+the evidence against it overwhelming? Yet it has many advocates, and I
+must think--I hope not uncharitably--that these are the reasons: First,
+because men do not like the idea of a personal, present, overruling Deity;
+and secondly, because there is very little profound and thorough knowledge
+of natural history in the community. It is just such an hypothesis as
+chimes in with the taste of that part of the world who have a smattering
+of science, and who do not wish to live without some form of religion, but
+who still desire to free themselves from the inspection of a holy God, and
+from the responsibility which his existence and presence would impose.
+Depend upon it, gentlemen, you will meet these delusions not unfrequently
+among the cultivated classes of society, where they have already done
+immense mischief. You will, indeed, find all the eminent comparative
+anatomists and physiologists, such as Cuvier and Owen; such chemists as
+Liebig; such zoölogists as Agassiz and Edward Forbes; such botanists as
+Hooker, Henslow, Lindley, Torrey, and Gray; and such geologists as De la
+Beche, Lyell, Murchison, Sedgwick, D'Orbigny, Buckland, and Miller,
+decided in their rejection of these views. But when even educated men
+obtain only a smattering of natural science, they find something very
+fascinating in this hypothesis; and this is just the religion, or,
+rather, the irreligion, that suits the superficial, selfish, and
+pleasure-seeking exquisites of fashionable drawing-rooms, theatres, and
+watering-places. You will find, therefore, the need of thoroughly studying
+this subject, or you will not be able, as you would wish, to vindicate the
+cause of true science and true religion.
+
+I cannot terminate this discussion without referring to an ingenious
+analogy, suggested by Hugh Miller, in his "Footprints of the Creator," and
+drawn from the facts he had stated respecting the degradation of species.
+No one who has thoroughly studied Bishop Butler's Analogy of Natural and
+Revealed Religion to the Course of Nature will venture to say that Mr.
+Miller's suggestions are mere fancy. As the ideas are entirely original
+with him, I give them in his own words.
+
+Having spoken of the several dynasties of animals that have succeeded one
+another on the globe, in a passage which we have already quoted, he says,
+"Passing on to the revealed record, we learn that the dynasty of man in
+the mixed state and character is not the final one; but that there is to
+be yet another creation, or, more properly, re-creation, known
+theologically as the resurrection, which shall be connected in its
+physical components, by bonds of mysterious paternity, with the dynasty
+which now reigns, and be bound to it mentally by the chain of identity,
+conscious and actual; but which, in all that constitutes superiority,
+shall be as vastly its superior as the dynasty of responsible man is
+superior to even the lowest of the preliminary dynasties. We are further
+taught that, at the commencement of this last of the dynasties, there will
+be a re-creation of not only elevated, but also of degraded beings--a
+re-creation of the lost. We are taught yet further that, though the
+present dynasty be that of a lapsed race, which at their first
+introduction were placed on higher ground than that on which they now
+stand, and sank by their own act, it was yet part of the original design,
+from the beginning of all things, that they should occupy the existing
+platform; and that redemption is thus no afterthought, rendered necessary
+by the fall, but, on the contrary, part of a general scheme, for which
+provision had been made from the beginning; so that the divine Man,
+through whom the work of restoration has been effected, was in reality, in
+reference to the purposes of the Eternal, what he is designated in the
+remarkable text, _the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world_. Slain
+from the foundation of the world! Could the assertors of the stony science
+ask for language more express? By piecing the two records together,--that
+revealed in Scripture and that revealed in the rocks,--records which,
+however widely geologists may mistake the one, or commentators
+misunderstand the other, have emanated from the same great Author,--we
+learn that in slow and solemn majesty has period succeeded period, each in
+succession, ushering in a higher and yet higher scene of existence; that
+fish, reptiles, mammiferous quadrupeds, have reigned in turn; that
+responsible man, 'made in the image of God,' and with dominion over all
+creatures, ultimately entered into a world ripened for his reception; but,
+further, that this passing scene, in which he forms the prominent figure,
+is not the final one in the long series, but merely the last of the
+_preliminary_ scenes; and that that period to which the by-gone ages,
+incalculable in amount, with all their well-proportioned gradations of
+being, form the imposing vestibule, shall have perfection for its occupant
+and eternity for its duration. I know not how it may appear to others, but
+for my own part I cannot avoid thinking that there would be a lack of
+proportion in the series of being, were the period of perfect and
+glorified humanity abruptly connected, without the introduction of an
+intermediate creation of _responsible_ imperfection with that of the
+dying, irresponsible brute. That scene of things in which God became man,
+and suffered, _seems_, as it no doubt _is_, a necessary link in the
+chain."
+
+A single concluding thought forces itself upon my mind. It is this: How
+ingenious and persevering men are in deluding themselves on the subject of
+religion! Since the time of Christ, what countless devices have they
+framed to escape from the lofty truths and spiritual piety of his gospel!
+Nor are they satisfied with this; for the gospel has shed so much light
+upon the religion of nature, that even this is more than men like; and,
+therefore, every science is ransacked for facts to neutralize all
+religion. Men's consciences do not permit them to throw off all the forms
+of religion; and, therefore, they are satisfied if they can only tear out
+its heart. They like to preserve and to embalm its external covering, as
+the naturalist does the skin of an animal for his cabinet. And as the
+latter fills his specimen with straw and arsenic, and fits glass eyes into
+it, so do men fill up their religious specimen with error and vain
+speculation, and fit into its head the eyes of false philosophy, and then
+claim for it intellectual worship. It is the business of educated men to
+show that such caricatures are neither science nor religion. May you,
+gentlemen, have your full share in this most useful and noble work.[19]
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE X.
+
+SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE.
+
+
+Next in importance to the question whether the Deity exists, is the
+inquiry whether he exerts any direct agency in upholding the universe and
+in controlling its events. This point has been discussed in all ages in
+which there have been philosophers or theologians, and the current of
+opinion has fallen principally into three channels.
+
+In the first place, some have removed the Deity entirely from his works
+into a fancied extra-mundane sphere, where in solitude he might enjoy the
+blessedness of his own infinite nature, without the trouble of directing
+the events of the universe, or watching over the works of his hand.
+Forgetful of the great principle, that the intellectual powers produce
+happiness only when called into exercise, they have fancied that the care
+of the universe must be a burden to its Creator, and that it would
+derogate from his dignity. It is supposed, therefore, that the world has
+been given up to the rule of fate or chance.
+
+In the second place, a more numerous class have maintained that the
+Supreme Being, after creating the world, committed its preservation and
+government either to a subordinate agent, or to the laws which he
+impressed upon matter and mind, which possess an inherent power to execute
+themselves; so that, in fact, God exercises no direct and immediate agency
+in natural operations. The learned and usually profound Cudworth adopted
+the hypothesis of a _plastic nature_, as he terms it, by which he means a
+vital, spiritual, and unintelligent, yet subordinate agent, by whose
+agency the world is governed and its operations carried on. At first view,
+this hypothesis would seem to lead inevitably to atheism; but such was not
+the intention of its author. Still, it is obviously so clumsy, that had it
+not been the product of a great mind, it never would have received so much
+notice, or called forth such mighty efforts for its refutation, as have
+been bestowed upon it.
+
+Two varieties of opinion exist among those who believe the world governed
+and sustained by natural laws, established by the Deity. Some maintain
+that these laws are general, not particular; not extending to minor
+events, but only the more important; not providing for species, but only
+for families. Hence they suppose that these general cases may interfere
+with one another, and produce results apparently repugnant to the
+intention of their Author. Others, shocked at the absurdity of such
+conclusions, believe the laws of nature to extend to every event, and
+never to interfere with one another, and always to act in accordance with
+the divine will and appointment, but without any direct agency exerted by
+the Deity. They suppose these laws--in other words, secondary agencies--to
+have the power of producing all natural phenomena.
+
+In the third place, there are others who believe that a law can have no
+efficiency without the presence and agency of the lawgiver. They,
+therefore, suppose every event in the natural world to be the result of
+the direct and immediate agency of God. What we call laws are only the
+uniform mode of his operation. They agree with the advocates of the
+last-named theory in supposing the laws of nature to extend to every
+event, and to be in accordance with the ordination of the Deity; but they
+differ in maintaining that the presence and direct efficiency of a
+lawgiver are essential to the operation of natural laws.
+
+I should then define a Special Providence to be an event brought about
+apparently by natural laws, yet, in fact, the result of a special agency,
+on the part of the Deity, to meet a particular exigency, either by an
+original arrangement of natural laws, or by a modification of second
+causes, out of sight at the time.
+
+The doctrine, which supposes the Deity to exercise a superintendence and
+direction over all the affairs of the universe, in any of the modes that
+have been mentioned, whether by a subordinate agent, or by laws, general
+or particular, with inherent self-executing power, or by the direct
+efficiency of the divine will, is called the doctrine of divine
+providence. If the superintendence extend only to general laws, it is
+called a general providence. If those laws reach every possible case, it
+is called a particular or universal providence.
+
+By a _Miraculous Providence_ is meant a superintendence over the world
+that interferes, when desirable, with the regular operations of nature,
+and brings about events, either in opposition to natural laws, or by
+giving them a less or greater power than usual. In either of these cases,
+the events cannot be explained by natural laws; they are above, or
+contrary to, nature, and, therefore, are called miracles, or prodigies.
+
+There may be, and, as I believe, there is, another class of occurrences,
+intermediate between miracles and events strictly natural. These take
+place in perfect accordance with the natural laws within human view, and
+appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by those laws; and yet, in some
+way or other, we learn that they required some special exercise of divine
+power, out of human view, for their production. Thus, according to the
+views of most Christian denominations, conversion takes place in the human
+heart in perfect accordance with the laws of mind, and could be
+philosophically explained by them; yet revelation assures that it _is not
+of blood,_ [natural descent,] _nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
+will of man, but of God_. Divine power, therefore, is essential to the
+change, although we see only the operation of natural causes. So a storm
+may appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by natural laws; and yet
+divine efficiency might have produced a change in some of those laws out
+of our sight, and thus meet a particular exigency. Such events I call
+_special providence_; and I maintain that we cannot tell how frequently
+they may occur.
+
+It is chiefly the bearings of science, especially of geology, upon the
+doctrine of miraculous and special providence, which I wish to consider.
+But it may form a useful introduction, to state the evidence, which goes
+to show that the agency of the Deity, in the ordinary operations of
+nature, is a direct efficiency; or, in other words, that the laws of
+nature are only the modes in which divine agency operates.
+
+In the first place, if we suppose ever so many secondary causes to be
+concerned in natural events, the efficiency must, after all, be referred
+to God.
+
+What is a secondary cause? or, in other words, what is a law of nature
+considered as a cause? It is simply a uniform mode of operation. We find
+that heavy bodies uniformly tend towards the earth's centre, and that we
+call the law of gravity; but if those bodies sometimes ascended, and
+sometimes moved horizontally, under the same circumstances, we could not
+infer the existence of such a law.
+
+Now, there must be some cause for uniformity of operation in nature. There
+must be some foreign power, which gives the uniformity, since it is
+certain that the law itself can possess no efficiency. We may, indeed,
+find one law dependent upon a second law, and this upon a third, and so
+on. But the inquiry still arises, What gives the efficiency to this second
+and third law? and still the answer must be, Something out of itself. So
+that if we run back on the chain of causes ever so far, we must still
+resort to the power of the Deity to find any efficiency that will produce
+the final result. In most cases, we can trace back only one or two links
+on the chain. For instance, we account for the falling of all bodies by
+the law of gravity. But philosophers have wearied themselves in vain to
+find any cause for gravity, except in the will of God. The failure of
+every other hypothesis, though invented by such men as Newton and Le Sage,
+has been signal. Sound philosophy, then, requires us to infer that gravity
+owes its efficiency to the direct exertion of divine power. And so in all
+cases, when we can no longer discover second causes for any phenomenon,
+why should we imagine their existence, rather than refer it to the agency
+of God? For go back as far as we may, and discover a thousand intervening
+causes, the efficiency resides alone in God. We have no evidence that even
+infinite power can communicate that efficiency to the laws of nature, so
+that they can act without the presence and agency of God. The common idea,
+which endows those laws with independent power, will not bear examination.
+
+In the second place, if natural operations do not depend upon the exercise
+of divine power, no other efficient cause can be assigned for their
+production.
+
+We have seen that in the laws of nature, independently of the Deity, there
+is no efficiency; and I know not where else we can resort for any agency
+to carry forward the operations of nature, except to the same infinite
+Being. The fate and chance of the ancients, the plastic nature of
+Cudworth, the delegated nature of Lamarck, are indeed names invented by
+men to designate a certain imaginary efficiency residing somewhere,
+independent of the Deity, by which the phenomena of nature have been
+supposed to be produced. But the moment they are described, they are found
+to be mere imaginary agencies, meaning nothing more than the course of
+nature, or the laws of nature, which we have seen possess no independent
+efficiency. To a divine agency, therefore, we must resort, or be left
+without any adequate cause for the complicated and wonderful processes of
+nature.
+
+In the third place, this view of the subject is strongly confirmed by the
+Christian Scriptures.
+
+How universal is the divine agency represented in the well-known
+passage--_for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things_.
+Equally vivid is Paul's statement on Mars Hill--_In him we live, and move,
+and have our being._ How graphic a description is the 147th Psalm of God's
+agency in the natural world! Not only is all good ascribed to God, but
+evil also. By the mouth of Isaiah he says, _I form light and create
+darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things._
+In short, no event in the material or spiritual world is by the sacred
+writers ascribed to chance, or to nature, or the laws of nature, as it is
+among men; but to the direct efficiency of God. Nor is there any
+difference in this respect between miracles and common events. The one
+class is represented as originating in the agency of God, just as much as
+the other.
+
+Finally. It will hardly be thought strange, in view of the preceding
+considerations, that a large proportion of the most acute and
+philosophical minds in modern times have preferred this view of divine
+providence to any other.
+
+Sir Isaac Newton declares that the various parts of the world, organic and
+inorganic, "can be the effect of nothing else than the wisdom and skill of
+a powerful, ever-living Agent, who, being in all places, is more able by
+his will to move the bodies within his boundless, uniform _sensorium_,
+thereby to form and reform the parts of the universe, than we are by our
+will to move the parts of our own bodies."
+
+Says Dr. Clarke, the friend and disciple of Newton, "All things which we
+commonly say are the effects of the natural powers of matter, and laws of
+motion, are, indeed, if we will speak strictly and properly, the effects
+of God's action upon matter continually, and at every moment, either
+immediately by himself, or mediately by some created, intelligent being.
+Consequently there is no such thing as the course of nature, or the power
+of nature, independent of the effects produced by the will of God."
+
+In speaking of the principle of vegetable life, Sir James Edward Smith,
+the eminent botanist, says, "I humbly conceive that, if the human
+understanding can in any case flatter itself with obtaining, in the
+natural world, a glimpse of the _immediate agency_ of the Deity, it is in
+the contemplation of this _vital principle_, which seems independent of
+material organization, and an impulse, of his own divine
+energy."--_Introduction to Botany_, p. 26, (Boston edition.)
+
+"We would no way be understood," says Sir John Herschel, "to deny the
+constant exercise of this [God's] direct power in maintaining the system
+of nature, or the ultimate emanation of every energy, which material
+agents exert, from his immediate will, acting in conformity with his own
+laws."--_Discourse on Nat. Philosophy._
+
+"A law," says Professor Whewell, "supposes an agent and a power; for it is
+the mode according to which the agent proceeds, the order according to
+which the power acts. Without the presence of such an agent, of such a
+power, conscious of the relations on which the law depends, producing the
+effects which the law prescribes, the law can have no efficiency, no
+existence. Hence we infer that the intelligence by which the law is
+ordained, the power by which it is put in action, must be present at all
+times and in all places where the effects of the law occur; that thus the
+knowledge and the agency of the divine Being pervades every portion of the
+universe, producing all action and passion, all permanence and change. The
+laws of nature are the laws which He, in his wisdom, prescribes to his own
+acts; his universal presence is the necessary condition of any course of
+events; his universal agency the only origin of any efficient
+force."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 270.
+
+"The student in natural philosophy," observes the Bishop of London, "will
+find rest from all those perplexities, which are occasioned by the
+obscurity of causation, in the proposition which, although it was
+discredited by the patronage of Malebranche and the Cartesians, has been
+adopted by Clarke and Dugald Stewart, and which is by far the most simple
+and sublime account of the matter--that all events which are continually
+taking place in the different parts of the material universe are the
+_immediate_ effects of the divine agency."--_Whewell's Bridgewater
+Treatise_, p. 273.
+
+"Jonathan Edwards," says M'Cosh in his Method of the Divine Government,
+"somewhere illustrates the manner in which God upholds the universe, by
+the way in which an image is upheld in a mirror. That image is maintained
+by a continual flow of rays of light, each succeeding pencil of which
+does not differ from that by which the image was first produced. He
+conceives that the universe is, in every part of it, supported in a
+similar way by a continual succession of acts of the divine will, and
+these not differing from that which at first caused the world to spring
+into existence. Now, it may be safely said of this theory that it cannot
+be disproved. Several considerations may be urged in support of it."
+
+Which of the views respecting divine providence that have been stated has
+the best practical tendency, seems hardly to admit of doubt. If we believe
+that God has submitted the direction and government of this world to a
+subordinate agent, a plastic nature; or if we suppose he has impressed
+matter and mind with certain general laws, which have the power of
+executing themselves without his agency, and especially if in their
+operation they do sometimes actually clash with one another, or even if
+those laws extend to every movement of matter and mind,--still, if they do
+not require divine efficiency, men cannot but feel that God is removed
+from his works, and that the laws of nature, and not his agency, are their
+security. But if they believe that every movement of matter or mind
+requires a direct exercise of divine power or efficiency, just as much as
+if every event was a miracle, it cannot but bring God near to us, and make
+us realize his presence.
+
+If we obtain a timepiece from London or Paris, which contains all the
+springs and wheels requisite to keep it in operation, by occasionally
+winding it up, how little do we think of the artist who constructed it,
+except, perhaps, occasionally to admire his ingenuity! But if it had been
+necessary for that artist to accompany the chronometer, and actually to
+put forth the strength of his own arm every moment to keep it in motion,
+how much more should we think of him and realize his presence! The same
+effect, in a greater or less degree, will attend the belief that God must
+be not only virtually, but substantially, present every where, and be
+constantly exercising his power to keep in operation the vast machine of
+the universe. It cannot but deeply impress the heart, and exert a most
+salutary influence upon the affections, to realize that every event around
+us is brought about by the immediate agency of the supreme Being.
+
+But notwithstanding the salutary influence of this view of Providence upon
+our moral feelings, and though philosophy pronounces it decidedly the most
+reasonable, still it meets with strong opposition. I need not stop to
+notice the objections, that it makes God the author of evil as well as
+good, and that it represents man as a mere machine in the hands of the
+Deity, and therefore takes away human responsibility. I say I need not
+stop to answer such objections, because they lie equally strong against
+any system which makes God the original author of the universe. But a more
+plausible objection is, that it makes all events miraculous. This
+objection is based on the supposition that every event which takes place
+through the direct and immediate agency of God is a miracle. But is this
+the true meaning of a miracle? Is the term ever applied to any but
+extraordinary events? It may or it may not imply a contravention of the
+laws of nature. But it does always imply something which the laws of
+nature cannot produce, and which, of course, they cannot explain. It is
+always the result of some new force coming in to the aid of the laws of
+nature, or in the place of them, or even sometimes, perhaps, in opposition
+to them; as when the _sun stood still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the
+valley of Ajalon_. Hence an event may take place through the direct and
+immediate agency of God, and yet not be a miracle. If it be neither
+above, nor independent of, nor in opposition to the laws of nature, then
+it forms a part of the ordinary providence of God; it is a part of the
+usual, the fixed and uniform course of nature, and can be explained by
+known and unalterable laws. The nature of the event is not affected at all
+by the question whether it is produced by the direct efficiency of God, or
+by a power inherent in those laws. We, who believe that the direct
+efficiency of God is necessary to the operation, and even to the
+existence, of the laws of nature, are just as firm believers in the
+constancy of those laws as he who supposes them possessed of inherent
+powers. When that constancy is interrupted in any way, we call it a
+miracle. Hence it appears that our views of the nature of a miracle are
+the same as his, viz., an event which takes place out of the ordinary
+course of nature; and, therefore, our system is no more liable to the
+objection that all events are made miracles than his system.
+
+The way is now prepared for inquiring what geology teaches respecting the
+ordinary and extraordinary providence of God over this world.
+
+The evidences of ordinary providence, which are common to geology and
+other sources of proof, I shall pass by; both because they are familiar to
+all, and because I have, in a former lecture, shown the existence and
+operation of the present laws of nature in all past ages. But there is one
+feature of the past condition of the world taught by geology to which I
+would call your attention, as exhibiting a more impressive view of the
+wisdom and skill of ordinary providence than almost any other department
+of nature presents. When the heavenly bodies are once put under the
+control of the two great forces that guide them, viz., the centrifugal and
+centripetal, we see no reason why they may not move on forever in their
+accustomed paths. But the two great agents of geological change, fire and
+water, have an aspect of great irregularity and violence, and are
+apparently less under the control of mathematical laws. In the mighty
+intensity of their action in early times, we can hardly see how there
+could have been much of security or permanence in the state of the globe,
+without the constant restraining energy of Jehovah. We feel as if the
+earth's crust must have been constantly liable to be torn in pieces by
+volcanic fires, or drenched by sweeping deluges. And yet the various
+economies of life on the globe, that have preceded the present, have all
+been seasons of profound repose and uniformity. The truth is, these mighty
+agencies have been just as much under the divine control as those which
+regulate the heavenly bodies; and I doubt not but the laws that regulate
+their action are as fixed and mathematical as those which guide the sun,
+moon, and planets. Still, it must have required infinite wisdom and power
+so to arrange the agencies of nature that the desolating action of fire
+and water should take place only at those epochs when every thing was in
+readiness for the ruin of an old economy and the introduction of a new
+one. Geological agencies differ from astronomical in this--that the former
+must be allowed an irregular action within certain limits; whereas the
+latter act with unvarying uniformity in all circumstances. If the former
+had not some room for irregular action, they would not act at all; but if
+allowed too much liberty, they will destroy what they were intended to
+preserve. And God does restrain, and always has restrained them, just at
+the point where desolation would be the result of their more powerful
+operation. I do not, indeed, contend that it requires more power or wisdom
+to bind those mighty agencies within proper limits than to control the
+heavenly bodies. But to our limited faculties it certainly seems a more
+difficult work; and, therefore, the geological history of the globe gives
+us a more impressive idea of the ordinary providence of God than we see in
+the calm and uniform movements of nature around us.
+
+_In the second place, geology furnishes us with some very striking
+examples of miraculous providence._
+
+In disproving the eternity of the organic world, in a former lecture, I
+adduced and illustrated these examples so fully, that I shall do little
+more in this place than give a recapitulation of that argument.
+
+If we suppose the earth originally to have been merely a diffused mass of
+vapor, like comets, or nebulæ, I can conceive how, by the operation of
+such natural laws as now exist, it might have been condensed into a solid
+globe; into a melted state, indeed, from the amount of heat extricated in
+the condensation. Those same laws might subsequently form over the molten
+mass a solid crust, which, at length, might be ridged and furrowed by the
+action of internal heat, so as to form the basis of continents and the
+beds of oceans. In due time, the vapors might condense, so as to fill
+those basins with water; and, by the mutual and alternate action of the
+waters above and the heat beneath, the rocks might be comminuted, so as to
+form the basis of soils. So far might the arrangements of the world have
+proceeded by natural laws; in other words, by the ordinary providence of
+God. But at this point we must bring in an extraordinary agency of the
+Deity, or the world would have remained, in the expressive language of
+revelation, _without form and void_; that is, invisible and unfurnished.
+You have, indeed, the framework of a world, but the most difficult and
+complicated part of the work, the creation of plants and animals, remains
+yet to be performed. Here, then, is the precise point where you must call
+in the miraculous agency of the Deity, or the earth would forever remain
+an uninhabited waste. For if it does not require miraculous agency to
+bring into existence animals and plants, I know not what can require it,
+or prove its operation. I can almost as easily conceive how matter might
+spring from nothing fortuitously, certainly I can as easily conceive of
+its eternity, as that organism and life can result from the ordinary laws
+of nature.
+
+It may be, however, that I shall here be met by the statement, that some
+distinguished geologists maintain the probable existence of organized
+beings on the globe at an indefinitely earlier period than that in which
+their remains first appear in the rocks. They contend that the extreme
+heat which has melted the older rocks has obliterated all traces of
+organic existence below a certain line. Now, in order to meet this
+difficulty, it is not necessary to show this opinion to be erroneous. We
+have only to advance another step in our general argument, which brings us
+upon ground admitted to be good by the geologists above alluded to. They
+all of them believe that many new animals and plants have from time to
+time appeared on the globe; that, in fact, there have been several almost
+entire changes in its inhabitants. Most of them suppose these new races to
+have been introduced in large numbers at particular epochs, though some
+prefer the theory which supposes the new species to have been introduced
+one by one, as the old ones became extinct. But even this supposition does
+not essentially affect my argument; because they all allow that these
+successive species were really new, and could not have been the result of
+any metamorphosis of the old species. And it is the fact that new organic
+beings have, from time to time, been created, that is alone essential to
+my argument. Whether they were created by groups or singly, is an
+interesting geological question; but, in either case, miraculous power
+must have been put forth as really and as efficiently to call into
+existence a single new species of animalcula, or sea-weed, as to introduce
+an entirely new race. The successive economies of organic life that have
+existed on the earth, and passed from it, do most unequivocally
+demonstrate the extraordinary or miraculous providence of God.
+
+But we might abandon even this strong ground of our argument, and still
+geology would afford us a most unequivocal example of the creative agency
+of the Deity. That science shows, beyond all question, that man, and most
+of his contemporary races of animals and plants, have not always occupied
+this globe; and, indeed, that they were not placed upon it till nearly
+every form buried in the rocks had passed away. And since those races
+which now inhabit the globe have among them a larger proportion of highly
+organized and more complicated species than have ever before been
+contemporaries,--especially since man is among them, confessedly the most
+perfect in organization and in intellect of all the beings that ever
+occupied this planet,--we can here point to the highest exercise of
+creative power ever exhibited in this lower world, as a certain memento of
+God's extraordinary or miraculous providence. Indeed, who, that has any
+adequate idea of the wonders of man's intellectual, moral, and immortal
+nature, and of the strange extremes that meet and harmonize in his
+physical and intellectual constitution, will believe that any loftier
+miracle has ever been exhibited on this globe than his creation?
+
+But I have already dwelt so long upon this whole argument in a former
+lecture, that I will add no more in this place. If the facts which I have
+stated do not prove the miraculous agency of the Deity in past ages, I
+know not how it can be proved. But assuming this position to be
+established, and several inferences of importance will follow.
+
+_In the first place, this subject removes all philosophical presumption
+against a special revelation from heaven._
+
+If we can prove that the Deity has often so interfered with the course of
+nature as to introduce new species, nay, whole races of animals and plants
+upon the globe,--if, in a comparatively recent period, he has created a
+moral and immortal being, endowed with all the powers of a free and an
+accountable agent,--it would surely be no more wonderful if he should
+communicate to that being his will by a written revelation. Indeed, the
+benevolence of the Deity, as we learn it from nature, would create a
+presumption that such a revelation would be given, if it appear, as we
+know it does, that no sufficient knowledge is inherent in his nature to
+guide him in the path of duty; since such a revelation would be no greater
+miracle than to people the world, originally destitute of life, and then
+to repeople it again and again, with so vast a variety of organic natures.
+Philosophy has sometimes been disinclined to admit the claims of
+revelation, because it implies a supernatural agency of the Deity; and,
+until recently, revelation seemed to be a solitary example of special
+interference on the part of Jehovah. But geology adds other examples, long
+anterior to revelation--examples registered, like the laws of Sinai, on
+tables of stone. And the admission of the geological evidence of special
+interference with the regular sequence of nature's operations ought to
+predispose the mind for listening to the appropriate proofs of a moral
+communication to ignorant and erring man.
+
+_In the second place, the subject shows us how groundless is the famous
+objection to the miracles recorded in Scripture, founded on the position
+that they are contrary to experience._
+
+"It is," says Mr. Hume, "a maxim worthy of our attention, that no
+testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of
+such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact
+which it endeavors to establish." Hence he asserts, that "the evidence of
+testimony, when applied to a miracle, carries falsehood on the very face
+of it, and is more properly a subject of derision than of argument," and
+that "whoever believes the Christian religion is conscious of a continued
+miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his
+understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most
+contrary to custom and experience."
+
+At the time when Mr. Hume wrote, and with his great skill in weaving
+together metaphysical subtilties, such an argument might deceive
+superficial minds; for then a miracle was supposed to be contrary to all
+experience. But geology has disclosed many new chapters in the world's
+history, and shown the existence of miracles earlier than chronological
+dates. Even Mr. Hume would hardly deny that the creation of whole series
+of animals and plants was miraculous; and yet, in proof of that creation,
+we need not depend upon testimony; for we can read it with our own eyes
+upon the solid rocks. Such proof appeals directly to our common sense; nor
+can any ingenious quibble, concerning the nature of human testimony,
+weaken its influence in producing conviction.
+
+And if God has wrought stupendous miracles of creation in order to people
+the world, who does not see that it is still more probable he would
+perform other miracles when they were needed to substantiate a revelation
+of his will to those moral and accountable beings, who needed its special
+teachings to make them acquainted with their God, their duty, and their
+destiny?
+
+_Finally. The subject removes all presumption against the exercise of a
+special and miraculous providence in the divine government of the world._
+
+In all ages of the world, philosophers, and even many theologians, have
+been strenuous opposers of special and miraculous providence. If they have
+admitted, as most of the latter class have done, that some miracles were
+performed in ancient times, they have strenuously maintained that the
+doctrine of special providence in these days is absurd, and that God
+cannot, without a miracle, bestow any special favors upon the virtuous in
+answer to their prayers, or inflict any special punishments upon the
+wicked; and that it is fanaticism to expect any other retributions than
+such as the ordinary and unmodified course of nature brings along with it.
+
+The unvarying constancy of nature, in consequence of being governed by
+fixed laws, is the grand argument which they adduce in opposition to any
+supposed special providence. _Since the fathers fell asleep_, say they,
+_all things continue as they were from the beginning._ God has subjected
+the world to the government of laws, and he will not interfere with,
+counteract, set aside, or give a supernatural force to those laws, to meet
+particular exigencies. For the adjustment of all apparent inequalities of
+good and evil, suffering and enjoyment here, we must wait for the
+disclosure of eternity, when strict retributive Justice will hold her even
+scales. When natural evils come upon us, therefore, it is idle to expect
+their removal, except so far as they may be mitigated or overcome by
+natural means; and hence it is useless to pray for their removal, or to
+expect God will deliver us from them in any other way. When the heavens
+over us become brass, and the earth under our feet iron, and the rain of
+our land is powder and dust, and want, and famine, as the consequence,
+stalk forth among the inhabitants, of what use to pray to God for rain,
+since to give it would require a miracle, and the age of miracles has
+passed? When the pestilence is scouring through the land, and our
+neighbors and nearest friends are within its grasp, and we may next become
+its victims,--nay, when we, too, are on the borders of the grave,--why
+should we expect relief by prayer, since sickness is the result of natural
+causes, and God will not interpose to save us from the effects of natural
+evils, because that would be contrary to a fixed rule of his government?
+When dangers cluster around the good man in the discharge of trying
+duties, it would be enthusiasm in him to expect any special protection
+against his enemies, though he pray ever so fervently, and trust in divine
+deliverance with ever so much confidence. He must look to another world
+for his reward, if called to suffer here. Nor has the daringly wicked man
+any reason to fear that God will punish his violations of the divine law
+by any unusual display of his power; not in any way, indeed, but by the
+evils which naturally flow from a wicked life. In short, it will be
+useless to pray for any blessing that requires the least interference with
+natural laws, or for the removal of any evil which depends upon those
+laws. And since our minds are controlled as much by laws as the functions
+of our bodies, we are not to expect any blessings in our souls, which
+require the least infringement of intellectual laws. In fine, the effect
+of prayer is limited almost entirely to its influence upon our own hearts,
+in preparing them to receive with a proper spirit natural blessings, and
+to bear aright natural evils; to stimulate us to use with more diligence
+the means of avoiding or removing the latter, and securing the former.
+
+Not a few philosophers of distinction, and some theologians, have adopted
+these views. Even Dr. Thomas Brown uses the following language: "It is
+quite evident that even Omnipotence, which cannot do what is
+contradictory, cannot combine both advantages--the advantage of regular
+order in the sequences of nature, and the advantages of a uniform
+adaptation of the particular circumstances of the individual. We may take
+our choice, but we cannot think of a combination of both; and if, as is
+very obvious, the greater advantage be that of uniformity of operation, we
+must not complain of the evils to which that very uniformity which we
+cannot fail to prefer--if the option had been allowed us--has been the
+very circumstance that gave rise."--_Lecture 94._
+
+"Science," says George Combe, "has banished from the minds of profound
+thinkers belief in the exercise by the Deity, in our day, of special acts
+of supernatural power, as a means of influencing human affairs; and it has
+presented a systematic order of nature, which man may study, comprehend,
+and follow, as a guide to his practical conduct. Many educated laymen, and
+also a number of the clergy, have declined to recognize fasts,
+humiliations, and prayers, as means adapted, according to their views, to
+avert the recurrence of the evil, [the potato blight.] Indeed, these
+observances, inasmuch as they mislead the public mind with respect to its
+causes, are regarded by such persons as positive evils."
+
+"The most irreligious of all religious notions, as it seems to us," says
+the North American Review, "is a belief in special providences; for if the
+doctrine has any weight at all, it is gained at the expense of a general
+providence. To assume to detect God as nearer to us on some occasions is
+to put him farther off from us on other occasions. To have him in special
+incidents is to forget him in the common tenor of events. The doctrine of
+special providences evidently has no other foundation than this, that men
+_think they can detect_ God's purpose and presence more signally in some
+incidents than in others; so that the doctrine, after all, is only a
+compliment to man's power of detection, instead of an acknowledgment of
+God's special presence."
+
+Such views and reasonings seem, upon a superficial examination, to be very
+plausible. But when we look into the Bible, we cannot but see that the
+main drift of it is directly opposed to such notions. That book does
+encourage man to pray to God for the removal of evils of every kind; evils
+as much dependent upon natural laws as the daily course of the sun through
+the heavens. It does teach us to look to God in every trying situation for
+deliverance, if it is best for us to be delivered. It does represent the
+wicked man as in danger of special punishment. It exhibits a multitude of
+examples, in which God has thus delivered those who trusted in him, and
+punished those who violated his laws.
+
+In every age, too, the most devotedly pious men have testified, that they
+have found deliverance and support in circumstances in which mere natural
+laws could afford them no relief. Moreover, when men are brought into
+great peril or suffering of any kind, they involuntarily cry to God for
+help. When the vessel founders in the fury of the storm, the hardened
+sailor employs that breath in ardent prayer which just before had been
+poured out in blasphemies. And when the widowed mother hears the tempest
+howling around her dwelling at night, she cannot but pray for the
+protection of her child upon the treacherous sea. When violent disease
+racks the frame, and we feel ourselves rapidly sinking into the grave, it
+is scarcely in human nature to omit crying to God with a feeling that he
+can save us. In short, it is a dictate of nature to call upon God in times
+of trouble. Our reasoning about the constancy of nature, which appears to
+us while in safety so clearly to show prayer for the removal of natural
+evils to be useless, loses its power, and the feelings of the heart
+triumph. It now becomes, therefore, an important practical question, which
+of these views of the providence of God is correct. Is it those which our
+reasoning derives from the constancy of nature, or those inspired by piety
+and the Bible? I have already said, that the subject of this lecture
+removes all presumption against the latter view; and I now proceed to show
+how God can exercise a special providence over the world, so as to meet
+the case of every individual, whether for blessing or punishment, and
+that, too, without miracles.
+
+Whoever believes that geology discloses stupendous miracles of creation,
+at various epochs, will not doubt that all presumption against miraculous
+agency at any other time is thus removed. For we are thus shown that the
+law of miracles forms a part of the divine plan in the government of the
+world. But this does not prove the same to be the fact in respect to a law
+of special providence.
+
+It is indeed true that geology gives us no distinct examples of special
+providence, in the sense which we have attached to that term in the
+present lecture. But it does furnish a multitude of instances in which
+changes of physical condition in the earth were met by most wisely adapted
+changes of organic nature. And even though these changes were the result
+of miraculous agency, they disclose this principle of the divine
+government, viz., that peculiarities of condition are to be met by special
+arrangements, so that every exigency shall be provided for in the manner
+infinite wisdom sees to be best. Now, this principle constitutes the
+essence of special providence; and, therefore, geology, in showing its
+past operation in the world's early organic history, affords a presumption
+that the same unchanging God may still employ it in his natural and moral
+government.
+
+But does not this principle of special adaptation to individual exigencies
+demand miraculous agency in all cases? Can the wants of individuals be met
+in any other way than by miracles, or by the ordinary and settled laws of
+nature? I maintain that there are other modes in which this can be done;
+in which, in fact, every case requiring special interference can be met
+exactly and fully.
+
+_This can be done, in the first place, by a divine influence exerted upon
+the human mind, unperceived by the individual._
+
+If it were perceived, it would constitute a miracle. But can we doubt that
+the Author of mind should be able to influence it directly and indirectly,
+unperceived by the man so acted upon? Even man can do this to his fellow;
+and shall such a power be denied to God?
+
+Now, in many cases,--I do not say all,--it only needs that the minds of
+others should be inclined to do so and so towards a man, in order to place
+him in circumstances most unlike those that would have surrounded him
+without such an influence. Even the very elements, being to some extent
+under human control, can thus be made subservient, or adverse, to an
+individual; and, indeed, by a change in the feelings and conduct of others
+towards us, by an unseen influence upon their minds, our whole outward
+condition may be changed. In this way, therefore, can God, in many
+instances, confer blessings on the virtuous, or execute punishment upon
+the wicked, or give special answers to special prayer; and yet there
+shall be no miracle about it, nor even the slightest violation of a law of
+matter or of mind. The result may seem to us only the natural effect of
+those laws, and yet the divine influence may have modified the effect to
+any extent.
+
+_In the second place, God can so modify the second causes of events out of
+our sight, as to change wholly, or in part, the final result, and yet not
+disturb the usual order of nature within sight, so that there shall be no
+miracle._
+
+A miracle requires that the usual order of nature, as man sees it, be
+interrupted, or some force superadded to her agency. But if such change
+take place out of our sight, it might not disturb that order within sight;
+and, therefore, to us it would be no miracle.
+
+The mode in which this can be done depends upon the fact that in nature we
+often find several causes, essential to produce an effect, connected
+together, as it were, in a chain; so that each link depends upon that
+which precedes it. Thus the power of vision depends upon the optic nerve,
+in the bottom of the eye. But this would be useless, were not the coats
+and humors of the eye of a certain consistence and curvature, in order to
+bring the rays together to form an image on the retina. Again, these coats
+and humors depend upon light, and light depends for its transmission,
+probably, upon that exceedingly elastic medium called the _luminiferous
+ether_. This is as far back as we can trace the series of causes concerned
+in producing vision. And yet this elastic ether may depend upon something
+else, and this cause of the movement of the ether upon another cause; and
+we know not how long the chain may be before we reach the great First
+Cause. Now, if any one of this series of second causes be modified, the
+effect will be a modification of the final result. This supposed
+modification may take place in that part of the chain of causes within our
+view, or in that part concealed from us. If it took place within sight, it
+would constitute a miracle; because the regular sequence of cause and
+effect would be broken off, or an unnatural power be imparted to the cause
+producing the ultimate effect. If the modification took place in that part
+of the chain of second causes out of our sight, the final effect would be
+no miracle; because it would be brought about by natural laws, and these
+would perfectly explain it. Nevertheless, this ultimate effect would be
+different from what it would be if God had not touched and modified that
+link of causation which lies out of our sight, back among the secret
+agencies of his will. And I see not but in this way he might modify the
+ultimate effect as much as he pleased, and still preserve the unvarying
+constancy of nature. For in all these cases we should see only the links
+of the chain of causes nearest to us; and, provided they operated in their
+usual order, how could we know that any change had taken place in the
+region beyond our knowledge? If the whole chain of causation were open to
+our inspection, then, indeed, would the transaction be an obvious miracle;
+but now we see nothing but the unchanging operation of natural laws.
+
+To illustrate this principle, let us imagine a few examples. Suppose the
+land visited by drought, and its pious inhabitants assemble to pray for
+rain. We know very well that the causes on which a storm of rain depend
+are very complicated. How easy for the divine Being, in answer to those
+prayers, to modify one or more of these secret agencies of meteorological
+change, that are concealed from our sight, so as to bring together the
+vapors over the land and condense them into rain! And yet that storm shall
+have nothing about it unusual, and it results from the same laws which we
+have before seen to be in operation. Still, it may have been the result of
+a special agency exerted by Jehovah in answer to prayer, yet in such a
+manner that no known law of nature is infringed upon, or even rendered
+more powerful in its action.
+
+Equally intricate and complicated are the causes of disease, and
+especially of those pestilences that sometimes march over a whole
+continent, with the angel of death in their train; and alike easy is it
+for God, in answer to earnest prayer, to avert their progress, or to
+cripple their power, or turn them aside from a particular district,
+without the least interference with the visible connection of cause and
+effect.
+
+The beloved father of a family lies upon a bed of sickness, and disease is
+fast gaining upon the powers of life. His numerous and desolate family, in
+spite of the cold suggestion that it will be of no avail, will earnestly
+beseech the Being in whose hands is the power of disease, to arrest the
+fatal malady. And could not their Father in heaven, in the way I have
+pointed out, give them their request, and yet their parent's recovery be
+the natural result of careful nursing and medical skill? imposing,
+however, upon that family as great an obligation as if a manifest miracle
+had been wrought to save him.
+
+The widow's only son, in spite of her counsels and entreaties, becomes a
+vagabond upon the seas, and, at length, one of the crew of the battle
+ship. The perils of the deep and of vicious companions are enough to make
+that widow a daily and most earnest suppliant at the mercy-seat of her
+heavenly Father, for his protection and salvation. But, at length, war
+breaks out, and the perils of battle render his fate more doubtful. Still,
+faith in God buoys up her heart, and she cannot abandon the hope of yet
+seeing her son returned, reformed, and becoming a useful man. And at
+length, rescued from the storm and shipwreck, and the carnage of battle,
+and the yet more dangerous snares of sin, that youth returns, a renovated
+man, and cheers that mother's setting sun by an eminently useful life.
+Now, all this may have happened simply by the operation of natural laws.
+But it may also have been the result of divine interference in answer to
+prayer; and hard will you find it to convince that rejoicing mother that
+the hand of God's extraordinary providence was not in it.
+
+The devoted missionary, at the promptings of a voice within, quits a land
+of safety and peace, and finds himself in the midst of dangers and
+sufferings of almost every name; _in perils of waters, in perils of
+robbers, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness,
+in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
+nakedness_. The furnace of persecution is heated, and he performs his
+duties with his life constantly in his hand. But he uses no weapon save
+faith and prayer. He feels that "he is immortal till his work is done."
+And, in fact, he outlives all his dangers, and, in venerable old age,
+surrounded by the fruits of his labor,--a reformed and affectionate
+people,--he passes quietly into the abodes of the blessed. Here, again,
+why should we hesitate to refer his protection and deliverance to the
+special interposition of his heavenly Father, in the manner I have pointed
+out?
+
+On the other hand, the history of dreadfully wicked men is full of
+terrible examples of calamity and suffering, as the consequence of their
+sins. True, the evil came upon them apparently by the operation of natural
+laws; but shall we hence infer that God in no case has so modified these
+laws, by an agency among the hidden causes of events, as to make the
+result certain? He certainly could do this; and to say that he never has
+done it, is to remove one of the most powerful restraints that operate
+upon the wicked.
+
+In several examples recorded in the Bible, both of deliverance for the
+virtuous and of punishment for the wicked, so many natural agencies are
+concerned, that we are left in doubt whether the events are to be regarded
+as miraculous or not. Let the deluge, the destruction of Sodom, and the
+passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, serve as examples. In the
+first, we find the flood imputed to a forty days' rain and the overflowing
+of the ocean; and its reduction to a wind. In the destruction of the
+cities of the plain, the phenomena described correspond very well with the
+effects of volcanic agency; and we find accordingly that the region where
+those cities stood shows marks of that agency. In the passage of the Red
+Sea, the removal of the waters, to allow the Israelites to pass, is
+imputed to a strong east wind all night. Nevertheless, the pillar of a
+cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were a manifest and standing
+miracle in this transaction.
+
+Now, may it not be that, in all these cases, so far as natural agencies
+were concerned, they were made to conspire with the miraculous in the
+manner which I have described, viz., by such a modification of some of the
+remote causes by which they were brought into action, as exactly to answer
+the divine purpose in the catastrophe of the deluge, of Sodom, and in the
+passage of the Red Sea?
+
+_A third mode by which the purposes of special providence can be brought
+about without miracles is by such an adjustment of the direct and lateral
+influences on which events depend, that the time and manner of their
+occurrence shall exactly meet every exigency._
+
+Although it expresses a truth to represent the second causes of events as
+constituting the links of a chain, it is not the whole truth. For, in
+fact, those causes are connected together in the form of a network, or,
+more exactly still, by a sphere filled with interlocked meshes; or, to
+speak more mathematically, the forces by which events are produced are
+both direct and indirect. It would be easy to calculate the effect of a
+single direct force; but if, in its progress, it meets with a multitude of
+oblique impulses, striking it at every possible angle, what human
+mathematics can make out the final resultant? Yet, in fact, such is the
+history of almost every event. The lateral influences, which meet and
+modify the direct force, are so numerous, and unexpected often, that men
+are amazed at the result, sometimes as unexpected as a miracle. "When an
+individual," says Isaac Taylor, "receives an answer to his prayer, the
+interposition may be made, not in the line which he himself is describing,
+but in one of those which are to meet him on his path; and at a point,
+therefore, where, even though the visible constancy of nature should be
+violated, yet, as being at the time beyond the sphere of his observation,
+it is a violation not visible to him." "And herein is especially
+manifested the perfection of divine wisdom, that the most surprising
+conjunctions of events are brought about by the simplest means, and in a
+manner that is perfectly in harmony with the ordinary course of human
+affairs. This is, in fact, the great miracle of providence, that no
+miracles are needed to accomplish its purposes."--_Nat. History of
+Enthusiasm_, p. 128.
+
+This complication of causes does not merely give variety to the works and
+operations of nature, but it enables God to produce effects which could
+never have resulted from each law acting singly; nor is there a scarcely
+conceivable limit to these modifications. Indeed, in this way can
+Providence accomplish all his beneficent purposes, and meet every
+individual case, just as infinite wisdom would have it met. "By this
+agency," says M'Cosh, "God can at one time increase, and at another time
+lessen, or completely nullify, the spontaneous efforts of the fixed
+properties of matter. Now he can make the most powerful agents in
+nature--such as wind, fire, and disease--coincide and cooperate to produce
+effects of such a tremendous magnitude as none of them separately could
+accomplish; and again, he can arrest their influence by counteracting
+agencies, or, rather, by making them counteract each other. He can, for
+instance, by a concurrence of natural laws, bring a person, who is in the
+enjoyment of health at present, to the very borders of death, an hour or
+an instant hence; and he can, by a like means, suddenly restore the same
+or another individual to health, after he has been on the very verge of
+the grave. By the confluence of two or more streams, he can bring agencies
+of tremendous potency to bear upon the production of a given effect, such
+as a war, a pestilence, or a revolution; and, on the other hand, by
+drawing aside the stream into another channel, he can arrest, at any given
+instant, the awful effects that would otherwise follow from these
+agencies, and save an individual, a family, or a nation, from the evils
+which seem ready to burst upon them.
+
+"Guided by these principles and guarded by sound sense, the inquiring mind
+will discover many and wonderful designed connections between the various
+events of divine providence. Read in the spirit of faith, striking
+coincidences will every where manifest themselves. What singular unions of
+two streams at the proper place to help on the exertions of the great and
+good! What curious intersections of cords to catch the wicked as in a
+net, when they are prowling as wild beasts! By strange but most apposite
+correspondences, human strength, when set against the will of God, is made
+to waste away under God's indignation burning against it, as, in heathen
+story, Meleager wasted away as the stick burned which his mother held in
+the fire."--_Method of the Divine Government_, pp. 176, 203.
+
+In many cases, the lateral streams of influence that flow in and bring
+unexpected relief to the pious man, and unexpected punishment to the
+wicked, or a marked answer to prayer, seem to the individuals little short
+of miraculous. Yet, after all, they can see no violation of the natural
+order of cause and effect. But the wonder is, how the modifying influence
+should come in just at the right moment. It may, indeed, have received a
+commission to do this very thing from the immediate impulse of Jehovah;
+yet, being unperceived by us, it is no miracle. Or the whole plan may have
+been so arranged at the beginning that its development will meet every
+case of special providence exactly. Which of these views may be most
+accordant with truth, may admit of discussion. Yet we think that all the
+modes that have been pointed out, by which miraculous and special
+providences are brought about, may be referred to one general proposition,
+which we now proceed to state.
+
+_In the fourth place, the plan of the universe in the divine mind, at the
+beginning, must have embraced every case of miracles and of special
+providence._
+
+From the nature of the divine attributes we infer with certainty that
+every event occurring in the universe must have entered into the original
+plan of creation in the mind of God. Surely no one will deny that he must
+have foreseen the operation of every law which he established, and,
+consequently, every event which it would produce. But there must be some
+ground for foreknowledge to rest upon; otherwise it is conjecture, not
+knowledge. And what could that basis be but the divine plan?
+
+Equally clear is it that, whatever plans existed in the mind of God, when
+he brought the universe into existence, must always have been there. For
+to suppose that there was a point of duration when the plan was first
+conceived, would imply new knowledge in one confessedly omniscient; and
+that destroys the idea of omniscience.
+
+Similar reasoning from the nature of the divine attributes leads us to the
+conclusion that God always acts according to law. That he does this in the
+ordinary operations of nature, all admit. But even when he introduces a
+miracle,--perhaps by a counteraction of ordinary laws,--he may still act
+by some rule; so that, were precisely the same circumstances to occur
+again, the same miracle would be repeated. Beforehand, we could not say
+whether God would conduct the affairs of the universe by one unvarying
+system of natural laws, or occasionally interfere with the regular
+sequence of cause and effect by miracle. But though the latter course
+should be adopted, as we have reason to think it is, even the special
+interference must be according to law; so that, in fact, there is a law of
+miracles as well as of common events. Again, if God sometimes alters one
+or more of the links out of sight, in a chain of second causes, in order
+to meet a providential exigency, or if he modifies for the same purpose
+some of the oblique influences by which events are affected, all this must
+be done by rule; that is, by law. Indeed, to suppose him ever to act
+without law, is to represent him as less wise than men, who, if
+judicious, are always governed by settled principles, which produce the
+same conduct in the same circumstances.
+
+From this reasoning we may safely infer two things: first, that the laws
+regulating miracles and special providences are as fixed and certain as
+those of ordinary events; and secondly, that those laws must have formed a
+part of the plan of creation originally existing in the divine mind. And
+hence, thirdly, we must admit that every case of miracle and special
+providence must have entered into that plan.
+
+When he formed it, he foresaw every possible event that would result from
+its operation to the end of the world. He saw distinctly the condition of
+every individual of the human family, from the beginning to the close of
+life; all his dangers and trials, his sufferings and his sins; and he knew
+just when and where every prayer would be offered up. Nor can it be any
+more doubtful that, with infinite wisdom to guide him, and infinite power
+to execute his will, God could so have arranged and constituted the laws
+of nature, as to meet exactly every case that should ever occur, just in
+the way he would wish to have it met. Those laws might have been so framed
+and disposed that, after running on in one unvarying course for ages, a
+new one might come in, or the old ones be modified, and at once produce
+effects quite different, and then the first laws resume again their usual
+course. And the new or modified law might be made to produce its
+extraordinary or peculiar effects just at the moment when some miracle or
+special providence would be needed. Thus what would be to us a special or
+miraculous interposition of divine power, might be the foreseen and
+foreordained result of God's original purpose. And if we can conceive how
+such an effect could be produced once, we cannot doubt that infinite
+wisdom and power could in like manner meet every possible case in which
+what we call special and miraculous providence would be needed. With our
+limited powers, we are obliged, after constructing a complicated machine,
+to put it into operation before we can judge certainly of its effects; and
+then, if our wishes are not met, we must alter the parts, or in some other
+way meet the new cases that occur; and hence we find it difficult to
+conceive how it can be otherwise with God. But he saw the operation of the
+vast machine of the universe just as clearly at the beginning as at any
+subsequent period. He, therefore, can do at the beginning what we can do
+only after experience, viz., adapt the parts to every variety of
+circumstances.
+
+If I mistake not, we are indebted to Bishop Butler for the germ of these
+views; but Professor Babbage has illustrated them by reference to an
+extraordinary machine of his own invention, called "The Calculating
+Engine." It is adapted to perform the most extensive and complicated
+numerical calculations, of course with absolute certainty, because its
+parts are arranged by certain laws. And he finds that precisely such
+effects, on a small scale, can be produced by this machine, as have been
+imputed above to the divine agency in creation. It is moved by a weight
+and a wheel which turns at a short interval around its axis, and prints a
+series of natural numbers,--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.,--each exceeding its
+antecedent by unity. "Now, reader, let me ask you," says Professor
+Babbage, "how long you will have counted before you are firmly convinced
+that the engine, supposing its adjustments to remain unaltered, will
+continue, whilst its motion is maintained, to produce the same series of
+natural numbers. Some minds, perhaps, are so constituted that, after
+passing the first hundred terms, they will be satisfied that they are
+acquainted with the law. After seeing five hundred terms, few will doubt;
+and after the fifty thousandth term, the propensity to believe the
+succeeding term will be fifty thousand and one, will be almost
+irresistible. That term will be fifty thousand and one; the same regular
+succession will continue; the five millionth and the fifty millionth term
+will appear in their expected order, and one unbroken chain of numbers
+will pass before you, from one up to one hundred millions. True to the
+vast induction which has thus been made, the next succeeding term will be
+one hundred millions and one; but after that, the next number presented by
+the rim of the wheel, instead of being one hundred millions and two, is
+one hundred millions ten thousand and two.
+
+"The law which seemed to govern this series fails at the one hundred
+million and second term. That term is larger than we expected by ten
+thousand. The next term is larger than was anticipated by thirty thousand.
+If we still continue to observe the numbers presented by the wheel, we
+shall find that for a hundred, or even for a thousand terms, they continue
+to follow the new law relating to the triangular numbers; but after
+watching them for twenty-seven hundred and sixty-one terms, we find that
+this law fails in the case of the twenty-seven hundred and sixty-second
+term. If we continue to observe, another law then comes into action. This
+will continue through fourteen hundred and thirty terms, when a new law is
+again introduced, which extends over about nine hundred and fifty terms;
+and this, too, like all its predecessors, fails, and gives place to other
+laws, which appear at different intervals. It is also possible so to
+arrange the engine, that at any periods, however remote, the first law
+shall be interrupted for one or more times, and be superseded by any
+other laws, after which the original law shall be again produced, and no
+other deviation shall ever take place.
+
+"Now, it must be remarked that the law that each number presented by the
+engine is greater by unity than the preceding number, which law the
+observer had deduced from an induction of a hundred million of instances,
+was not the true law that regulated its action; and that the occurrence of
+the number one hundred million ten thousand and two at the one hundred
+million and second term was as necessary a consequence of the original
+adjustment as was the regular succession of any one of the intermediate
+numbers to its immediate antecedent. The same remark applies to the next
+apparent deviation from the new law, which was founded on an induction of
+two thousand seven hundred and sixty-one terms; and to all the succeeding
+laws, with this limitation only, that whilst their consecutive
+introduction at various definite intervals is a necessary consequence of
+the mechanical structure of the engine, our knowledge of analysis does not
+yet enable us to predict the periods at which the more distant laws will
+be introduced."--_Ninth Bridgewater Treatise._
+
+The application of these statements to the doctrine of special as well as
+of miraculous providence is very obvious. If human ingenuity can construct
+a machine which shall exhibit the introduction of new laws, after the old
+ones had been established by an induction of a hundred million of
+examples, and these new ones be succeeded by others, how much easier for
+the infinite God to construct the vast and more complicated machine of the
+universe, so that new laws, or modifications of the old ones, shall be
+introduced at various periods of its history, to meet every exigency! How
+easy for him so to adjust this machine at the beginning, that the new laws
+and new modes of action should be introduced, precisely at those points
+where a special providence would be desirable, to reward the virtuous and
+to punish the wicked, and then the old law again assume its dominion! And
+how easily, in this way, could the case of every individual be met, from
+the beginning to the end of the world! I mean, how easy would this work be
+to infinite wisdom and power!
+
+But if all events, miraculous as well as common, may depend upon unbending
+law, how does such a view differ from the one I am now opposing, viz.,
+that the constancy of nature's laws precludes the idea of any special
+interference on the part of God, in human affairs? The main point of
+difference, I reply, is, that the advocates of the latter view will not
+admit any such thing at the present day as special interference, on the
+part of the Deity, with nature. They admit only uniform and ordinary laws,
+which they suppose are never interrupted. This I deny; and endeavor to
+show, not only that the contrary may be a fact, but that God purposed it
+originally, and determined the laws by which it might be accomplished. The
+fact that he did this beforehand, even from eternity, no more precludes
+his agency, than the special interference of a father to help his child
+through a dangerous pass is disproved, because he foresaw the danger and
+provided the means of defence even before the child was born. If the
+father was actually with the child, as he went through the danger, and
+held out to him the requisite help, what difference could it make, though
+the father purposed to do so a long time previously? And if we admit that
+God's efficiency alone gives power to the ordinary laws of nature, we
+shall admit that in every special law he is as really present with his
+energy, as a father who should lead his child by the hand through the
+dangerous path. So that, practically at least, the difference between
+these two views of the subject is very great; the one removing God far
+away, and putting law in his place; and the other bringing him near, and
+making him the actual and constant agent in every event. The one view is
+practical atheism, although often adopted by religious men; the other is
+practical Christianity.
+
+By the principles of physical science, then, the scriptural doctrines of
+miraculous and special providence are proved to be in accordance with
+philosophy. The miracles of revelation are shown to have been preceded by
+the miracles of geology; and are, therefore, in conformity with the
+principles of the divine government. The modifications which God can make
+in the causes of events out of human view, or the changes which he can
+produce by lateral influences upon the final result,--all, it may be, in
+conformity to an eternal plan, reaching the minutest of human
+affairs,--enable him to execute every purpose of special providence so as
+to satisfy every exigency.
+
+The sceptic may say, that we cannot prove by facts that God does so modify
+and arrange the laws and operations of nature as to adapt his dealings to
+the case of individuals. But, on the other hand, neither can he show that
+God does not thus interfere with nature's uniformity. It is enough to show
+that he can do it without a miracle, in order to establish the doctrine of
+special providence. How often he exercises this power, we cannot know; but
+we may be sure as often as is desirable.
+
+A most important application of these principles may be made to the
+subject of prayer. For in answering prayer, God is, in fact, merely
+executing some of the purposes of his special providence; and it is
+gratifying to the pious heart to see how he can give an answer to the
+humblest petitioner. No matter though all the laws of nature seem in the
+way of an answer,--God can so modify their action as to conform them to
+the case of every petitioner. War, famine, and pestilence may all be upon
+us, yet humble prayer may turn them all aside, and every other physical
+evil; and that without a miracle, if best for us and for the universe.
+Tell a man that the only effect of prayer is its reflex influence upon
+himself, in leading him to conform more strictly to nature's laws, and you
+send a paralysis and a death chill into all his moral sensibilities.
+Indeed, he cannot pray; but tell him that God will be influenced, as is
+any earthly friend, by his supplications, and his heart beats full and
+strong, the current of life goes bounding through his whole system, the
+glow of health mantles his cheek, and all his senses are roused into
+intense and delightful action.
+
+The sad influence of a perversion and misunderstanding of the doctrine of
+nature's constancy upon the youthful mind is well exhibited by a late able
+writer. "Early trained to it under the domestic roof," says M'Cosh, "the
+person regularly engaged in prayer during childhood and opening manhood.
+But as he became introduced to general society, and began to feel his
+independence of the guardians of his youth, he was tempted to look upon
+the father's commands, in this respect, as proceeding from sourness and
+sternness, and the mother's advice as originating in an amiable weakness
+and timidity. He is now careless in the performance of acts which in time
+past had been punctually attended to. How short, how hurried, how cold are
+the prayers which he now utters! Then there come to be mornings on which
+he is snatched away to some very important or enticing work without
+engaging in his customary devotions. There are evenings, too, following
+days of mad excitement or sinful pleasure, in which he feels utterly
+indisposed to go into the presence of God, and to be left alone with him.
+He feels that there is an utter incongruity between the ball-room, or the
+theatre, which he has just left, and the throne of grace, to which he
+should now go. What can he say to God, when he would pray to him? Confess
+his sins? No; he does not at present feel the act to be sinful. Thank God
+for giving him access to such follies? He has his doubts whether God
+approves of all that has been done. But he may ask God's blessing? No; he
+is scarcely disposed to acknowledge that he needs a blessing, or he doubts
+whether the blessing would be given. The practical conclusion to which he
+comes is, that it may be as consistent in him to betake himself to sleep
+without offering to God what he feels would only be a mockery. What is he
+to do the following morning? It is a critical time. Confess his error? No;
+cherishing as he does the recollection of the gay scene in which he
+mingled, and with the taste and relish of it yet upon his palate, he is
+not prepared to acknowledge his folly. Morning and evening now go and
+return, and bring new gifts from God, and new manifestations of his
+goodness; but no acknowledgment of the divine bounty on the part of him
+who is yet ever receiving it. No doubt there are times when he is prompted
+to prayer by powerful feelings, called up by outward trials or inward
+convictions; but ever when the storms of human life would drive him to the
+shore, there is a tide beating him back. His course continues to be a very
+vacillating one--now seeming to approach to God, and anon driven farther
+from him, till he obtains from books, or from lectures, a smattering of
+half-understood science. He now learns that all things are governed by
+laws, regular and fixed, over which the breath of prayer can exert as
+little influence, as they move on in their allotted course, as the passing
+breeze of the earth over the sun in his circuit. False philosophy has now
+come to the aid of guilty feelings, and hardens their cold waters into an
+icicle lying at his very heart, cooling all his ardor, and damping all his
+enthusiasm. He looks back, at times, no doubt, to the simple faith of his
+childhood with a sigh; but it is as to a pleasing dream, or illusion, from
+which he has been awakened, and into which, the spell being broken, he can
+never again fall."--_Method of the Divine Government_, p. 224.
+
+O, what a change would this world exhibit, were the whole Christian church
+to exercise full faith in God's ability to answer prayer without a
+miracle, only to the extent pointed out by philosophy, to say nothing of
+the Bible; for, in fact, a large proportion of that church, confounded by
+the specious argument derived from nature's constancy, have virtually
+yielded this most important principle to the demands of scepticism. When
+natural evils, such as war, famine, drought, and pestilence, came upon our
+forefathers, they, taking the Bible for their guide, observed days of
+fasting and prayer for their removal. But how seldom do their descendants
+follow their example! And yet even physical science testifies that the
+fathers acted in conformity to the true principles of philosophy. Would
+that the Christian church would consent to be led back to the Bible
+doctrine on this subject by philosophy.
+
+That same philosophy, also, should lead the good man, when struggling
+through difficulties, to exercise unshaken confidence in the divine
+protection, even though all nature's laws seem arrayed against him; for at
+the unseen touch of God's efficiency, the iron bars of law shall melt away
+like wax, and deliverance be given in the midst of appalling dangers, if
+best for the man and for the universe; and if not best, he will not desire
+it.
+
+Science, too, bids the wicked man not to fancy that the constancy of
+nature will shield him from the infliction of merited and special
+punishment, should God choose to make bare the rod of his justice; for the
+blow may come as certainly in the course of nature as against it.
+
+Let modern Christian theology, then, receive meekly the rebuke
+administered on this important point by physical science. For how lame and
+halting a defence of the Scripture doctrine of special providence and
+prayer has that theology been able to make! How few of our systems of
+theology contain a manful vindication of truths so important! Let not the
+Christian divine, therefore, refuse the aid thus offered by physical
+science. Let him no longer indulge groundless jealousies against true
+philosophy, as if adverse to religion. Especially let him not spurn the
+aid of geology, which alone, of all the sciences, discloses stupendous
+miracles of creation in early times, and thus removes all presumption
+against the miracles of Christianity and special providence at any time.
+
+It is, indeed, an instructive fact, that a science which has been thought
+so full of danger to Christianity should thus early be found vindicating
+some of the most peculiar and long-contested doctrines of revelation. And
+yet it ought not to surprise us, for geology is as really the work of God
+as revelation. And though, when ill understood and perverted, she may have
+seemed recreant to her celestial origin, yet the more fully her
+proportions are developed, and her features brought into daylight, the
+more clearly do we recognize her alliance to every thing pure and noble in
+the universe. "And surely," says a late writer, "it must be gratifying
+thus to see a science, formerly classed, and not perhaps unjustly, amongst
+the most pernicious to faith, once more become her handmaid; to see her
+now, after so many years of wandering from theory to theory, or rather
+from vision to vision, return once more to the home where she was born,
+and to the altar at which she made her first simple offerings; no longer,
+as she first went forth, a wilful, dreamy, empty-handed child, but with a
+matronly dignity, and a priest-like step, and a bosom full of well-earned
+gifts, to pile upon its sacred hearth. For it was religion which gave
+geology birth, and to the sanctuary she hath once more
+returned."--_Wiseman's Lectures on Science and Revealed Religion_, p. 192,
+Am. ed.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XI.
+
+THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH.
+
+
+Man has a stronger desire to penetrate the future than the past. And yet
+the details of most future events are wisely concealed from him. There are
+two, and only two, sources of evidence from which he can obtain some
+glimpses of what will be hereafter. The one is revelation, the other
+analogy. So far as God has thought proper to reveal the future, our
+information is precise and certain. But it does not embrace a multitude of
+events about which we have strong curiosity. By analogy is meant a
+prediction of the future from the past. On the principle that nature is
+constant, we infer what will be from what has been. If, however, new laws
+are hereafter to come into operation, or if present agencies will then
+operate very differently from what they now do, it is obvious that analogy
+can be only an imperfect guide. Still, in respect to many important
+events, its conclusions are infallible. Judging, for instance, from the
+past, we are absolutely certain that no living thing will escape the great
+law of dissolution, which, thus far, apart from the few exceptions made
+known to us by revelation, has been universal.
+
+The future changes in the condition of the earth, as they are taught us by
+revelation and analogy, or, rather, by geology, will form the subject of
+my present lecture. And my first object will be, to ascertain, if
+possible, precisely what the Bible teaches us concerning these changes.
+
+We find in the Scriptures several descriptions, more or less definite, of
+the changes which this globe will hereafter undergo. Some of them,
+however, are couched in the figurative language of prophecy, and others
+are incidental allusions; and concerning the precise meaning of such
+descriptions, there will, of course, be a diversity of opinion.
+
+There are, however, some passages on this subject as literal and as
+precise in their meaning as language can be. Now, it is one of the rules
+for interpreting language, that, where a work contains several accounts of
+the same event, the description which is most simple and literal ought to
+be made the index for obtaining the meaning of those passages which are
+figurative, or, on any account, obscure. I shall, therefore, select the
+passage of Scripture which all acknowledge to be most plain and definite,
+respecting the future destruction of the earth, and the new heavens and
+earth that are to succeed, and first inquire into its precise meaning;
+after which, we shall be better prepared to ascertain what modification of
+that meaning other passages of sacred writ demand.
+
+It needs but a cursory examination of the Bible to convince any one that
+the description in the Second Epistle of Peter of the future destruction
+and renovation of the earth and heavens, is eminently the passage first to
+be examined, because the fullest and clearest on this subject. It is the
+apostle's object directly and literally to describe these great changes,
+apart from all embellishments of language.
+
+_There shall come_, says he, _in the last days, scoffers, walking after
+their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
+the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
+beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that
+by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
+the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being
+overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are
+now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the
+day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not
+ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
+years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning
+his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to
+us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
+repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
+the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and the works that are
+therein, shall be burned up. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be
+dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation
+and godliness? Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
+wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness._
+
+It would require too much time, and, moreover, is not necessary to the
+object I have in view, to enter into minute verbal criticism upon this
+passage. I will only remark that the phrase translated _the earth and the
+works that are therein_, might with equal propriety be rendered "the earth
+and the works that are _thereon_;" and yet the difference of meaning
+between the two modes of expression is of no great importance. Again, by
+the term _heavens_, in this passage, we are evidently to understand the
+atmosphere, or region immediately surrounding the earth; as in the first
+chapter of Genesis, where it is said that _God called the firmament
+heavens_; the plural form being used in the Hebrew, though not in the
+English translation.
+
+What, now, by a fair exegesis, is taught in this passage concerning the
+destruction and renovation of the world? The following train of remark may
+conduct us to the true answer to this inquiry:--
+
+In the first place, this passage is to be understood literally. It would
+seem as if it could hardly be necessary to present any formal proof of
+this position to any person of common sense, who had read the passage. But
+the fact is, that men of no mean reputation as commentators have
+maintained that the whole of it is only a vivid figurative prophecy of the
+destruction of Jerusalem. Others suppose the new heavens and new earth
+here described to exist before the conflagration of the world. But these
+new heavens and earth are represented as the residence of the righteous,
+after the burning and melting of the earth, which, according to other
+parts of Scripture, is to take place at the end of the world, or at the
+general judgment. How strange that, in order to sustain a favorite theory,
+able men should thus invert the obvious order of these great events, so
+clearly described in the Bible! Still more absurd is it to attempt to
+fasten a figurative character upon this most simple statement of
+inspiration. It is, indeed, true, that the prophets have sometimes set
+forth great political and moral changes, the downfall of empires, or of
+distinguished men, by the destruction of the heavens and the earth, and
+the growing pale and darkening of the sun and moon. But in all these cases
+the figurative character of the description is most obvious; while in the
+passage from Peter its literal character is equally obvious. Take, for
+example, this statement--_By the word of God the heavens were of old, and
+the earth, standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and
+the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
+unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men._
+
+I believe no one has ever doubted that the destruction of the world by
+water, here described, refers to Noah's deluge. Now, how absurd to admit
+that this is a literal description of that event, and then to maintain the
+remainder of the sentence, which declares the future destruction of that
+same world by fire, to be figurative in the highest degree! For if this
+destruction mean only the destruction of Jerusalem, or any other great
+political or moral revolution, the language is one of the boldest figures
+which can be framed. Who, that knows any thing of the laws of language,
+does not see the supreme absurdity of thus coupling in the same sentence
+the most simple and certain literality with the strongest of all figures?
+What mark is given us, by which we may know where the boundary is between
+the literal and the metaphorical sense? From what part of the Bible, or
+from what uninspired author, can a parallel example be adduced? What but
+the strongest necessity, the most decided _exigentia loci_, would justify
+such an anomalous interpretation of any author? Nay, I do not believe any
+necessity could justify it. It would be more reasonable to infer that the
+passage had no meaning, or an absurd one. But surely no such necessity
+exists in the present case. Understood literally, the passage teaches only
+what is often expressed, though less fully, in many other parts of
+Scripture; and even though some of these other passages should be involved
+in a degree of obscurity,--and I am not disposed to deny that some
+obscurity rests upon one or two of them,--it would be no good reason for
+transforming so plain a description into a highly-wrought figurative
+representation; especially when by no ingenuity can we thus alter more
+than one part of the sentence. I conclude, therefore, that, if any part of
+the Bible is literal, we are thus to consider this chapter of Peter.
+
+In the second place, this passage does not teach that the earth will be
+annihilated.
+
+The prevailing opinion in this country, probably, has been, and still is,
+that the destruction of the world described by Peter will amount to
+annihilation--that the matter of the globe will cease to be. But in all
+ages there have been many who believe that the destruction will be only
+the ruin of the present economy of the world, but not its utter
+extinction. And surely Peter's description does not imply annihilation of
+the matter of the globe. He makes fire the agent of the destruction, and,
+in order to ascertain the extent of the ruin that will follow, we have
+only to inquire what effect combustion will have upon matter. The common
+opinion is, that intense combustion actually destroys or annihilates
+matter, because it is thereby dissipated. But the chemist knows that not
+one particle of matter has ever been thus deprived of existence; that fire
+only changes the form of matter, but never annihilates it. When solid
+matter is changed into gas, as in most cases of combustion, it seems to be
+annihilated, because it disappears; but it has only assumed a new form,
+and exists as really as before. Since, therefore, biblical and scientific
+truth must agree, we may be sure that the apostle never meant to teach
+that the matter of the globe would cease to be, through the action of fire
+upon it; nor is there any thing in his language that implies such a
+result, but most obviously the reverse.
+
+If these things be so, then, in the third place, we may infer that Peter
+did not mean to teach that the matter of the globe would be in the least
+diminished by the final conflagration. I doubt not the sufficiency of
+divine power partially or wholly to annihilate the material universe. But
+heat, however intense, has no tendency to do this; it only gives matter a
+new form. And heat is the only agency which the apostle represents as
+employed. In short, we have no evidence, either from science or
+revelation, that the minutest atom of matter has ever been destroyed since
+the original creation; nor have we any more evidence that any of it ever
+will be reduced to the nothingness from which it sprang. The prevalent
+ideas upon this subject all result from erroneous notions of the effect of
+intense heat.
+
+In the fourth place, the passage under consideration teaches us that
+whatever upon or within the earth is capable of combustion will undergo
+that change, and that the entire globe will be melted.
+
+The language of Peter has always seemed to me extremely interesting. He
+says that _the heavens_ [or atmosphere] _will pass away with a great
+noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and
+the works that are therein, shall be burned up; looking for, and hasting
+unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire,
+shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat_.
+
+This language approaches nearer to an anticipation of the scientific
+discoveries of modern times than any other part of Scripture. And yet, at
+the time it was written, it would not have enabled any one to understand
+the chemistry of the great changes which it describes. But, now that their
+chemistry is understood, we perceive that the language is adapted to it,
+in a manner which no uninspired writer would have done. The atmosphere is
+represented as passing away with a great noise--an effect which the
+chemist would predict by the union of its oxygen with the hydrogen and
+other gases liberated by the intense heat. Yet what uninspired writer of
+the first century would have imagined such a result?
+
+Again, when we consider the notions which then prevailed, and which are
+still widely diffused, why should the apostle add to the simple statement
+that the earth would be burnt up, the declaration that its elements would
+be melted? For the impression was, that the combustion would entirely
+destroy the matter of the globe. But the chemist finds that the greater
+part of the earth has already been oxidized, or burnt, and on this matter
+the only effect of the heat, unless intense enough to dissipate it, would
+be to melt it. If, therefore, the apostle had said only that the world
+would be burnt up, the sceptical chemist would have inferred that he had
+made a mistake through ignorance of chemistry. But he cannot now draw such
+an inference; for the apostle's language clearly implies that only the
+combustible matter of the globe will be burnt, while the elements, or
+first principles of things, will be melted; so that the final result will
+be an entire liquid, fiery globe. Such a wonderful adaptation of his
+description to modern science could not surely have resulted from human
+sagacity, but must be the fruit of divine inspiration.
+
+And this adaptation is the more wonderful when we find it running through
+the whole Bible wherever the sacred writers come in contact with
+scientific subjects. In this respect, the Bible differs from every other
+system of religion professedly from heaven.
+
+Whenever other systems have treated of the works of nature, they have
+sanctioned some error, and thus put into the hands of modern science the
+means of detecting the imposture. The Vedas of India adopt the absurd
+notions of an ignorant and polytheistic age respecting astronomy, and the
+Koran adopts as infallible truth the absurdities of the Ptolemaic system.
+But hitherto the Bible has never been proved to come into collision with
+any scientific discovery, although many of its books were written in the
+rudest and most ignorant ages. It does not, indeed, anticipate scientific
+discovery. But the remarkable adaptation of its language to such
+discoveries, when they are made, seems to me a more striking mark of its
+divine origin than if it had contained a revelation of the whole system of
+modern science.
+
+In the fifth place, the passage under consideration teaches that this
+earth will be renovated by the final conflagration, and become the abode
+of the righteous. After describing the day of God, _wherein the heavens,
+being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
+fervent heat_, Peter adds, _Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness._
+Now, the apostle does not here, in so many words, declare that the new
+heavens and earth will be the present world and its atmosphere, purified
+and renovated by fire. But it is certainly a natural inference that such
+was his meaning. For if he intended some other remote and quite different
+place, why should he call it _earth_, and, especially, why should he
+surround it with an atmosphere? The natural and most obvious meaning of
+the passage surely is, that the future residence of the righteous will be
+this present terraqueous globe, after its entire organic and combustible
+matter shall have been destroyed, and its whole mass reduced by heat to a
+liquid state, and then a new economy reared up on its surface, not adapted
+to sinful, but to sinless beings, and, therefore, quite different from
+its present condition--probably more perfect, but still the same earth and
+surrounding heavens.
+
+There are, indeed, some difficulties in the way of such a meaning to this
+passage, and objections to a material heaven; and these I shall notice in
+the proper place. But I have given what seems to me the natural and
+obvious meaning of the passage.
+
+Such, as I conceive, are the fair inferences from the apostle's
+description of the end of the world. Let us now inquire whether any other
+passages of Scripture require us to modify this meaning.
+
+The idea of a future destruction of the world by fire is recognized in
+various places, both in the Old and New Testaments. Christ speaks more
+than once of heaven and earth as passing away. Paul speaks of Christ as
+descending, at the end of the world, in flaming fire. And the Psalmist
+describes the destruction of the heavens and the earth as a renovation.
+_They shall perish,_ says he, _but thou_ [God] _shalt endure; yea, all of
+them shall wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change
+them, and they shall be changed._ In Revelation, after the apostle had
+given a vivid description of the final judgment and its retributions, he
+says, _And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and
+the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea._ He then
+proceeds to give a minute and glowing description of what he calls the New
+Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of heaven. It is scarcely possible to
+understand the whole of this description as literally true. We must rather
+regard it as a figurative representation of the heavenly state. And hence
+the first verse, which speaks of the new heavens and the new earth, in
+almost the same language which Peter uses, may be also figurative,
+indicating merely a more exalted condition than the present world. Hence,
+I would not use this passage to sustain the interpretation given of the
+literal description by Peter. And yet it is by no means improbable that
+the figurative language of John may have for its basis the same truths
+which are taught by Peter. Nor ought we to infer, because a figure is
+built upon that basis in the apocalyptic vision, that the simple
+statements of Peter are metaphorical.
+
+In the passage quoted from Peter, it is said, _Nevertheless, we, according
+to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness._ Most writers have supposed the apostle to refer either to
+the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should inherit the land, or to
+a prophecy in Isaiah, which says, _Behold, I create new heavens, and a new
+earth, and the former shall not be remembered, or come into mind. But be
+you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create
+Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in
+Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more
+heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an
+infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the
+child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner, being a hundred years
+old, shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and
+they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not
+build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as
+the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long
+enjoy the works of their hands. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
+and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the
+serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,
+saith the Lord._
+
+Now, it seems highly probable that the new heavens and earth, here
+described, represent a state of things on the present earth before the day
+of judgment, and not a heavenly and immortal state; for sin and death are
+spoken of as existing in it; both which, we are assured, will be excluded
+from heaven. Hence able biblical writers refer this prophecy to the
+millennial state, or the period when there will be a general prevalence of
+Christianity. In this they are probably correct. But some of these
+writers, as Low and Whitby, proceed a step farther, and infer that Peter's
+description of the new heavens and new earth belong also to the millennial
+period; first, because they presume that the apostle referred to this
+promise in Isaiah; and secondly, because he uses the same terms, namely,
+"new heavens and new earth." But are these grounds sufficient to justify
+so important a conclusion? How common it is to find the same words and
+phrases in the Bible applied by different writers to different subjects,
+especially by the prophets! Even if we can suppose Peter to place the new
+heavens and the new earth before the judgment, in despite of his plain
+declaration to the contrary, yet there are few who will doubt that the new
+heavens and earth described in revelation are subsequent to the judgment
+day, so vividly described in the verses immediately preceding.
+
+And as to the promise referred to by Peter, if he really describes the
+heavenly state, surely it may be found in a multitude of places; wherever,
+indeed, immortal life and blessedness are offered to faith and obedience.
+Isaiah, therefore, may be giving a figurative description of a glorious
+state of the church in this world, under the terms "new heavens and new
+earth," emblematical of those real new heavens and new earth beyond the
+grave, described by Peter. And hence, it seems to me, the language of the
+prophet should not be allowed to set aside, or modify, the plain meaning
+of the apostle.
+
+I shall quote only one other passage of the Bible on this subject. I refer
+to that difficult text in Romans, which represents the whole creation as
+groaning and travailing together in pain until now; and that it will be
+delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
+children of God.
+
+I have stated in a former lecture, that Tholuck, the distinguished German
+theologian, considers this a description of the present bound and fettered
+condition of all nature, and that the deliverance refers to the future
+renovation of the earth. Such an exposition chimes in perfectly with the
+views on this subject which have long and extensively prevailed in
+Germany. And it certainly does give a consistent meaning to a passage
+which has been to commentators a perfect labyrinth of difficulties. If
+this be not its meaning, then I may safely say that its meaning has not
+yet been found out.
+
+In view, then, of all the important passages of Scripture concerning the
+future destruction and renovation of the earth, I think we may fairly
+conclude that none of them require us to modify the natural and obvious
+meaning of Peter which has been given. In general, they all coincide with
+the views presented by that apostle; or if, in any case, there is a slight
+apparent difference, the figurative character of all other statements
+besides his require us to receive his views as the true standard, and to
+modify the meaning of the others. We may, therefore, conclude that the
+Bible does plainly and distinctly teach us that this earth will hereafter
+be burned up; in other words, that all upon or within it, capable of
+combustion, will be consumed, and the entire mass, the elements, without
+the loss of one particle of the matter now existing, will be melted; and
+then, that the world, thus purified from the contamination of sin, and
+surrounded by a new atmosphere, or heavens, and adapted in all respects
+to the nature and wants of spiritual and sinless beings, will become the
+residence of the righteous. Of the precise nature of that new
+dispensation, and of the mode of existence there, the Scriptures are
+indeed silent. But that, like the present world, it will be
+material,--that there will be a solid globe, and a transparent expanse
+around it,--seems most clearly indicated in the sacred record.
+
+The wide-spread opinion that heaven will be a sort of airy Elysium, where
+the present laws of nature will be unknown, and where matter, if it exist,
+can exist only in its most attenuated form, is a notion to which the Bible
+is a stranger.
+
+The resurrection of the body, as well as the language of Peter, most
+clearly show us that the future world will be a solid, material world,
+purified indeed, and beautified, but retaining its materialism.
+
+Let us now see whether, in coming to these conclusions from Scripture
+language, we are influenced by scientific considerations, or whether many
+discerning minds have not, in all ages, attached a similar meaning to the
+inspired record.
+
+Among all nations, the history of whose opinions have come down to us, and
+especially among the Greeks, the belief has prevailed that a catastrophe
+by fire awaited the earth, corresponding to, or rather the counterpart of,
+a previous destruction by water. These catastrophes they denominated the
+_cataclysm_, or destruction by water, and the _ecpyrosis_, or destruction
+by fire. The ruin was supposed to be followed, in each case, by the
+regeneration of the earth in an improved form, which gradually
+deteriorated; the first age after the catastrophe, constituting the golden
+age; the next, the silver age; and so on to the iron age, which preceded
+another cataclysm, or ecpyrosis. The intervals between these convulsions
+were regarded as of various lengths, but all of them of great duration.
+
+These opinions the Greeks derived from the Egyptians.
+
+The belief in the future conflagration of the world also prevailed among
+the ancient Jews. Philo says that "the earth, after this purification,
+shall appear new again, even as it was after its first creation."--_De
+Vita Mosis_, tom. ii.--Among the Jews, these ideas may have been, in part,
+derived from the Old Testament; though its language, as we have seen, is
+far less explicit on this subject than the New Testament. That
+distinguished Christian writers, in all ages since the advent of Christ,
+have understood the language of Peter as we have explained it, would be
+easy to show. I have room, however, to quote only the opinions of a few
+distinguished modern writers.
+
+Dr. Knapp, one of the most scientific and judicious of theologians, thus
+remarks upon the passage of Peter already examined: "It cannot be thought
+that what is here said respecting the burning of the world is to be
+understood figuratively, as Wettstein supposes; because the fire is here
+too directly opposed to the literal water of the flood to be so
+understood. It is the object of Peter to refute the boast of scoffers,
+that all things had remained unchanged from the beginning, and that,
+therefore, no day of judgment and no end of the world could be expected.
+And so he says that originally, at the time of the creation, the whole
+earth was covered and overflowed with water, (Gen. i.,) and that from
+hence the dry land appeared; and the same was true at the time of Noah's
+flood. But there is yet to come a great fire revolution. The heavens and
+the earth (the earth with its atmosphere) are reserved, or kept in store,
+for the fire, until the day of judgment, (v. 10.) At that time the heavens
+will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved by
+fervent heat, and every thing upon the earth will be burnt up. The same
+thing is taught in verse 12. But in verse 13 Peter gives the design of
+this revolution. It will not be annihilation, but we expect a new heavens
+and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, _i. e._, an entirely new,
+altered, and beautiful abode for man, to be built from the ruins of his
+former dwelling-place, as the future habitation of the pious, (Rev. xxi.
+1.) This will be very much in the same way as a more perfect and an
+immortal body will be reared from the body which we now
+possess."--_Theology_, vol. ii. p. 649.
+
+From Dr. Chalmers my extracts will be longer than are necessary to show
+his opinion upon this subject, because he felicitously refutes certain
+erroneous ideas, widely prevalent, respecting matter, and spirit. "We know
+historically," says he, "that earth, that a solid, material earth, may
+form the dwelling of sinless creatures, in full converse and friendship
+with the Being who made them." "Man, at the first, had for his place this
+world, and, at the same time, for his privilege an unclouded fellowship
+with God, and for his prospect an immortality, which death was neither to
+intercept nor put an end to. He was terrestrial in respect to condition,
+and yet celestial, both in respect of character and enjoyments.
+
+"The common imagination that we have of paradise on the other side of
+death, is that of a lofty aerial region, where the inmates float in ether,
+or are mysteriously suspended upon nothing; where all the warm and
+sensible accompaniments, which give such an expression of strength, and
+life, and coloring to our present habitation, are attenuated into a sort
+of spiritual element, that is meagre and imperceptible, and utterly
+uninviting to the eye of mortals here below; where every vestige of
+materialism is done away, and nothing left but certain unearthly scenes,
+that have no power of allurement, and certain unearthly ecstasies with
+which it is felt impossible to sympathize. The holders of this imagination
+forget all the while that there is no necessary connection between
+materialism and sin; that the world which we now inhabit had all the
+solidity and amplitude of its present materialism before sin entered into
+it; that God, so far, on that account, from looking slightly upon it,
+after it had received the last touch of his creating hand, reviewed the
+earth, and the waters, and the firmament, and all the green herbage, with
+the living creatures, and the man whom he had raised in dominion over
+them, and _he saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was all
+very good_. They forget that, on the birth of materialism, when it stood
+out in the freshness of those glories which the great Architect of nature
+had impressed upon it, that _the morning stars sang together, and all the
+sons of God shouted for joy_. They forget the appeals that are every where
+made in the Bible to his material workmanship, and how, from the face of
+these visible heavens, and the garniture of this earth which we tread
+upon, the greatness and goodness of God are reflected on the view of his
+worshippers. No, my brethren, the object of the administration we sit
+under is to extirpate sin, but it is not to sweep away materialism. By the
+convulsions of the last day it may be shaken and broken down from its
+present arrangement, and thrown into such fitful agitations as that the
+whole of its existing framework shall fall to pieces; and with a heat so
+fervent as to melt the most solid elements, may it be utterly dissolved.
+And thus may the earth again become without form and void, but without one
+particle of its substance going into annihilation. Out of the ruins of
+this second chaos may another heaven and another earth be made to arise,
+and a new materialism, with other aspects of magnificence and beauty,
+emerge from the wreck of this mighty transformation, and the world be
+peopled, as before, with the varieties of material loveliness, and space
+be again lighted up into a firmament of material splendor.
+
+"It is, indeed, a homage to that materialism, which many are for expunging
+from the future state of the universe altogether, that, ere the immaterial
+soul of man has reached the ultimate glory and blessedness designed for
+it, it must return and knock at the very grave where lie the mouldered
+remains of the body which it wore, and there inquisition must be made for
+the flesh, and the sinews, and the bones which the power of corruption
+has, perhaps centuries before, assimilated to the earth around them, and
+then the minute atoms must be reassembled into a structure that bears upon
+it the form, and lineaments, and general aspect of a man, and the soul
+passes into this material framework, which is hereafter to be its
+lodging-place forever; and that not as its prison, but as its pleasant and
+befitting habitation; not to be trammelled, as some would have it, in a
+hold of materialism, but to be therein equipped for the services of
+eternity; to walk embodied among the bowers of our second paradise; to
+stand embodied in the presence of our God."
+
+"The glorification of the visible creation," says Tholuck, the
+distinguished German divine, "is more definitely declared in Rev. xxi. 1,
+although it must be borne in mind that a prophetic vision is there
+described. Still more definitely do we find the belief of a transformation
+of the material world declared in 2 Peter, iii. 7-12. The idea that the
+perfected kingdom of Christ is to be transferred to heaven, is properly a
+modern notion. According to Paul and the Revelation of John, the kingdom
+of God is placed upon the earth, in so far as this itself has part in the
+universal transformation. This exposition has been adopted and defended
+by most of the oldest commentators; _e. g._, Chrysostom, Theodoret,
+Hieronymus, Augustine, Luther, Koppe, and others. Luther says, in his
+lively way, 'God will make, not the earth only, but the heavens also, much
+more beautiful than they are at present. At present, we see the world in
+its working clothes; but hereafter it will be arrayed in its Easter and
+Whitsuntide robes.'"
+
+"I cannot but feel astonishment," says Dr. John Pye Smith, "that any
+serious and intelligent man should have his mind fettered with the common,
+I might call it the vulgar, notion of a proper destruction of the earth;
+and some seem to extend the notion to the whole solar system, and even the
+entire material universe; applying the idea of an extinction of being, a
+reducing to nothingness. This notion has, indeed, been often used to aid
+impassioned description in sermons and poetry; and thus it has gained so
+strong a hold upon the feelings of many pious persons, that they have made
+it an article of their faith. But I confess myself unable to find any
+evidence for it in nature, reason, or Scripture. We can discover nothing
+like destruction in the matter of the universe as subjected to our senses.
+Masses are disintegrated, forms are changed, compounds are decomposed; but
+not an atom is annihilated. Neither have we the shadow of reason to assert
+that mind, the seat of intelligence, ever was, or ever will be, in a
+single instance, destroyed. The declaration in Scripture that _the heavens
+and the earth shall flee away, and no more place be found for them_, is
+undoubtedly figurative, and denotes the most momentous changes in the
+scenes of the divine moral government. If it be the purpose of God that
+the earth shall be subjected to a total conflagration, we perfectly well
+know that the instruments of such an event lie close at hand, and wait
+only the divine volition to burst out in a moment. But that would not be a
+destruction; it would be a mere change of form, and, no doubt, would be
+subservient to the most glorious results. _We, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness._"--_Lectures on Geology and Revelation_, p. 161, (4th
+London edition.)
+
+Says Dr. Griffin, one of the ablest of the American divines, "A question
+here arises, whether the new heavens and new earth will be created out of
+the ruins of the old; that is, whether the old will be renovated and
+restored in a more glorious form, or whether the old will be annihilated,
+and the new made out of nothing. The idea of the annihilation of so many
+immense and glorious bodies, organized with inimitable skill, and
+declarative of infinite wisdom, is gloomy and forbidding. Indeed, it is
+scarcely credible that God should annihilate any of his works, much less
+so many and so glorious works. It ought not to be believed without the
+most decisive proof. On the other hand, it is a most animating thought
+that this visible creation, which sin has marred, which the polluted
+breath of men and devils has defiled, and which by sin will be reduced to
+utter ruin, will be restored by our Jesus, will arise from its ruins in
+tenfold splendor, and shine with more illustrious glory than before it was
+defaced by sin.
+
+"After a laborious and anxious search on this interesting subject, I must
+pronounce the latter to be my decided opinion. And the same, I find, has
+been the more common opinion of the Christian fathers, of the divines of
+the reformation, and of the critics and annotators who have since
+flourished. I could produce on this side a catalogue of names which would
+convince you that this has certainly been the common opinion of the
+Christian church in every age, as it was also of the Jewish.
+
+"The words which are employed to express the destruction of the world do
+not necessarily imply annihilation. Is it said that the world shall
+perish? The same word is used to express the ancient destruction of the
+world by the flood, when certainly it was not annihilated. Is it said that
+the world shall have an end, and be no more? This may be understood only
+of the present form and organization of the visible system? Is it said
+that the heavens and the earth shall be dissolved by fire? But the natural
+power of fire is not to annihilate, but only to dissolve the composition
+and change the form of substances."--_Sermons_, vol. ii. p. 450.
+
+We have now examined the most important testimony respecting the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth; for inspiration only can
+certainly determine its future condition. But science may throw some light
+upon the changes through which it is to pass. And I now proceed to inquire
+whether geology affords us any glimpses of its future condition.
+
+In the first place, geology shows us that the earth contains within itself
+all the agencies necessary for its future destruction in the manner
+pointed out in the Bible.
+
+Some author has remarked that, from the earliest times, there has been a
+loud cry of fire. We have seen that it began with the ancient Egyptians,
+and was continued by the Greeks. But in recent times it has waxed louder
+and far more distinct. The ancient notions about the existence of fire
+within the earth were almost entirely conjectural, but within the present
+century the matter has been put to the test of experiment. Wherever, in
+Europe and America, the temperature of the air, the waters, and the rocks
+in deep excavations has been ascertained, it has been found higher than
+the mean temperature of the climate at the surface; and the experiment has
+been made in hundreds of places. It is found, too, that the heat increases
+rapidly as we descend below that point in the earth's crust to which the
+sun's heat extends. The mean rate of increase has been stated by the
+British Association to be one degree of Fahrenheit for every forty-five
+feet. At this rate, all known rocks would be melted at the depth of about
+sixty miles. Shall we hence conclude that all the matter of the globe
+below this thickness (or, rather, for the sake of round numbers, below one
+hundred miles) is actually in a melted state? Most geologists have not
+seen how such a conclusion is to be avoided. And yet this would leave only
+about one eight hundredth part of the earth's diameter, and about one
+fourteenth of its contents, or bulk, in a solid state. How easy, then,
+should God give permission, for this vast internal fiery ocean to break
+through its envelope, and so to bury the solid crust that it should all be
+burnt up and melted! It is conceivable that such a result might take place
+even by natural operations. And certainly it would be easy for a special
+divine agency to accomplish it.
+
+It may be thought, however, that the igneous fluidity of the internal part
+of the globe is too mighty and improbable a conclusion to be based upon
+the increase of temperature, observed only to the depth of two or three
+thousand feet. But this is not the only evidence of such a condition of
+the earth's interior. Three hundred active volcanoes, and still more
+numerous extinct ones, have opened their mouths and poured forth their
+molten contents from a great depth, to bear witness to the existence of
+vast masses of melted rock beneath the earth's crust. The globe, too, is
+flattened at the poles, just to the amount it would be by rotation on its
+axis, had it been a liquid mass; and, therefore, there is every
+probability that it was once liquid; and if so once, its interior is
+probably still so, because the period for cooling it, when once surrounded
+by a solid crust, must be incalculably long. That this solid crust has
+once been liquid from heat, is most obvious to all who carefully examine
+it. For the unstratified rocks have certainly once been melted, and most
+of the stratified series were derived from the unstratified. Again, the
+organic remains dug out from the deep-seated strata prove that, when they
+were alive, the surface, even in high latitudes, must have been subject to
+a tropical, or even an ultra-tropical heat; thus showing us that the
+temperature of the globe has gradually diminished, as we should expect
+from the theory of original igneous fluidity. And, finally, no other
+hypothesis but the gradual cooling of the earth's crust, and the powerful
+volcanic agency that must from time to time have torn and ridged up that
+crust, will account for the present fractured and overturned condition of
+the strata, and the elevation of our continent from the ocean's bed. But
+this supposition does most satisfactorily explain all these phenomena, and
+also those of earthquakes and volcanoes.
+
+I must acknowledge, however, that all these arguments fail of convincing a
+few geologists of the doctrine of internal igneous fluidity, to the extent
+above described. But they all admit that the facts do prove the existence
+of vast oceans of melted matter beneath the earth's crust. Nor do even
+these geologists doubt but the globe contains within itself the agencies
+requisite for a universal conflagration. Mr. Lyell says that "there must
+exist below enormous masses of matter, intensely heated, and in many
+instances in a constant state of fusion." He says, also, "When we consider
+the combustible nature of the elements of the earth, so far as they are
+known to us, the facility with which their compounds may be decomposed and
+made to enter into new combinations, the quantity of heat which they
+evolve during those processes; when we recollect the expansive power of
+steam, and that water itself is composed of two gases, which, by their
+union, produce intense heat; when we call to mind the number of explosive
+and detonating compounds which have been already discovered,--we may be
+allowed to share the astonishment of Pliny, that a single day should pass
+without a general conflagration. '_Excedit profecto omnia miracula, ullum
+diem fuisse quo non cuncta conflagrarent._'"--Lyell's _Principles of
+Geology_, b. ii. chap. xx. vol. ii.
+
+"As a consequence of the refrigeration of the centre and crust of the
+globe," says D'Orbigny, "the withdrawment of matter has produced
+elevations and depressions on the consolidated crust; to which movements,
+in connection with those of the waters, we must impute the complete
+destruction of the existing fauna. These dislocations have brought about
+at each epoch changes of level in the consolidated beds and in the seas.
+And after a period of agitation, more or less prolonged, after each of
+these geological revolutions, different beings have been created to cover
+anew and enliven the surface of the earth."--_Cours Elementaire
+Paleontologie_, p. 148.
+
+All geologists, then, agree that the elements of the earth's final
+conflagration are contained within its bosom or upon its surface. At
+present, these elements are so bound down by counteracting agencies, that
+all is quiet and security. But let the fiat of the Almighty go forth for
+their liberation, and the scenes of the last day, as described in the
+Bible, will commence. The ploughshare of ruin will be driven onward, until
+this fair world is all ingulfed, and no trace of organic life remains.
+Yet to him who realizes that the destruction is only a necessary
+preparation for a brighter world, which will emerge from the ruins of the
+present; that, when the matter of the globe has been purified, its surface
+shall be covered with new and lovelier forms of beauty, surrounded by a
+still more bland and balmy atmosphere, and inhabited by sinless and
+immortal beings,--to him who realizes all this, the desolation will put on
+the aspect of a glorious transformation.
+
+In the second place, still deeper will be this impression, when we
+recollect that similar transmutations have already been experienced by the
+earth with an improvement of its condition. There is no evidence that the
+entire surface of the earth has ever undergone a complete fusion since
+organic life first appeared upon it. But we have reason to think that,
+frequently, at least, when one race of animals and plants has disappeared
+from the earth, it has been the result of violent catastrophes, proceeding
+from the elevation or subsidence of continents or chains of mountains.
+Says Agassiz, "A very remarkable, and perhaps the most surprising fact is,
+that the appearance of the chains of mountains, and the inequalities of
+the surface resulting from it, seem to have coincided generally with the
+epochs of the renewal of organized beings."--_Ed. Journal of Science_,
+Oct. 1842, p. 394.--These vertical movements of such large portions of the
+earth's crust could have resulted only from the direct or indirect agency
+of volcanic power, though the destruction of organic life, which must have
+been the consequence, may have resulted as often from aqueous as igneous
+inundations. But usually both agencies were probably concerned, and the
+predominance of one or the other of these agencies is of little
+consequence to the argument; for if such wide-spread ruin has already
+repeatedly passed over the earth, a still wider desolation may be
+presumed possible, if only a little wider play shall be given to the
+agents of destruction. Already have the changes of this sort which the
+earth, or portions of it, have undergone, resulted in an improved
+condition of its surface. In other words, at each successive epoch,
+animals and plants of a higher and more perfect organization have
+appeared, because the temperature, the air, and the earth's general
+condition have been better adapted to their happy existence. The amount of
+limestone seems to have been constantly increasing, and, as a consequence,
+the fertility of the soil; probably, also, the amount of carbonic acid has
+diminished in the atmosphere, as animals with lungs have been multiplied.
+In short, there is a prodigious increase, among the present inhabitants of
+the globe, of animals and plants possessing complicated and delicate
+organization and loftier intellectual powers, over all former conditions
+of the globe. But we have reason to believe, from the Christian
+Scriptures, that the next economy of life which shall be placed upon the
+globe will far transcend all those that have gone before. Every vestige of
+sin, suffering, decay, and death will disappear. Says the Bible, _There
+shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be
+any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And there shall in
+no wise enter it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
+abomination, or maketh a lie._ In short, the change is no other than the
+conversion of this world into heaven. Reasonably, therefore, might we
+anticipate a most thorough destruction of the present world, to prepare
+the way for the introduction of such a glorious state. The Scriptures
+describe that state by the most splendid imagery that can be derived from
+existing nature. It is represented, figuratively, no doubt, as a splendid
+city, prepared of God, and let down to the earth. Its twelve foundations
+are all precious stones, its gates pearls, its wall jasper, and its
+streets pure gold, as it were, transparent glass. The Lord God Almighty
+and the Lamb are the temple of that city. Instead of the sun and the moon,
+the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. From
+out of their throne proceeds the water of life, clear as crystal, and
+along its banks grows the tree of life, with its twelve manner of fruits,
+yielding its fruit every month.
+
+Here, then, we have the most splendid and enchanting objects in nature
+brought before us as representatives of the new heavens and the new earth.
+Yet we cannot learn from the Bible, or science, what material dress nature
+will then put on. We are taught only that it will far exceed, in splendor
+and perfection, the drapery which she now wears. We may be assured that it
+will be eminently adapted to a spirit that is henceforth to be perfectly
+holy, happy, incorruptible, and immortal. Both revelation and geology
+agree in assuring us that the new earth, which will emerge from the ruins
+of the present, will be improved in its condition; but the particulars of
+that condition are not described--probably because we could not, in our
+present state, understand them.
+
+Such are the views concerning the earth's future destruction and
+renovation, which appear to me to be taught by a fair interpretation of
+Scripture, and which harmonize with the teachings of geology. But we are
+met here by two formidable difficulties. In the first place, if the
+present earth is to be burnt up and melted at the last day, it must
+require thousands of years before another solid crust shall be formed upon
+its surface, capable of sustaining organic natures which are material. But
+the Bible represents the righteous, at the day of judgment, as reunited to
+their bodies, which they left in the grave, and entering at once into
+their residence upon the new earth. Where, then, can we find the
+thousands of years which, by this theory, are essential to prepare this
+residence for their reception? Into what intermediate place, what new
+Hades, shall they pass, until verdure shall clothe the new earth, and more
+than the primeval beauty of Eden take the place of the volcanic desolation
+which must reign over a world just beginning to cool from incandescent
+heat?
+
+I freely acknowledge that this is a serious objection to my theory; and
+perhaps it is insuperable, unless we resort to miraculous interference. It
+were easy to say, that God can, in a moment, convert a globe of fire into
+a paradise of beauty, and make its landscapes smile with charms
+transcending the bowers of paradise lost. Indeed, the Scriptures represent
+the New Jerusalem as prepared by God's own hands, and let down at once
+upon the earth to form the metropolitan abode of the righteous.
+
+But, after all, I am unwilling thus to dispose of the difficulty. For it
+is a clumsy way to meet objections, when we undertake to philosophize upon
+events, either past, present, or future, to foist in a miracle, in order
+to eke out our hypothesis. We thus make an image of as incoherent parts as
+that in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and as easily broken in pieces.
+
+There is a second mode by which the difficulty under consideration can be
+completely obviated, could we only admit the theory on which it rests.
+Some theological writers have maintained that the day of judgment will
+occupy a long period,--thousands and tens of thousands of years
+perhaps,--in order that every individual may experience a literal trial
+before the universe for all his conduct on earth, so that the conscience
+of every one in that vast assembly shall approve the final sentence. They
+appeal to various texts of Scripture, where it is strongly stated that
+rigid inquisition will be made on that solemn day into the conduct and
+motives of every individual. And it may be, indeed, that such descriptions
+are to have a literal fulfilment; and if so, we should have a period long
+enough for the new earth to be recovered by natural means from its
+volcanic desolation, and to be covered over with new forms of beauty. But
+I confess the theory of such a long period of judgment does not seem to me
+to be sustained by the most approved rules of exegesis, and therefore I am
+unwilling to rest upon it to sustain my own hypothesis.
+
+But is it not possible that our difficulty of conceiving how the spiritual
+body can enter at once upon its residence in the new heavens and earth,
+while yet the globe is only a shoreless ocean of fire, results from a
+mistaken conception of the nature of the spiritual body? Do we not judge
+of it by our own present bodies, and imagine that it must necessarily
+possess such an organization as would be destroyed by the extremes of heat
+and cold? And are we authorized to draw such an inference? The Scriptures
+have, indeed, left us very much in the dark as to the specific nature of
+the future glorified body, which Paul calls a spiritual body. He does not
+mean that it is composed of spirit, for then it would not differ from the
+soul itself, by which it is to be animated. He certainly means that it is
+composed of matter; unless, indeed, there be in the universe a third
+substance, distinct both from matter and spirit. But of the existence of
+such a substance we have no positive evidence; and, therefore, must
+conclude the spiritual body to be matter; called spiritual, probably,
+because eminently adapted to form the immortal residence of pure spirit.
+
+Yet we learn from the apostle's description that it is not composed of
+flesh and blood, which, he says, cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
+neither is it capable of decay, like our present bodies. Indeed, the
+illustration which he derives from the decay and germination of a kernel
+of wheat shows us that the future body will be as much unlike the present
+as a stalk of wheat is different from the seed whence it sprang; and, in
+appearance, scarcely any two things are more unlike. Hence we may suppose
+the resurrection body of the righteous to be as different from that which
+the soul now animates as matter can be, in its most diverse forms.
+
+Now, the question arises, Do we know of any form of matter in the present
+world which remains the same at all temperatures, and in all
+circumstances, which no chemical or mechanical agencies can alter?--a
+substance which remains unchanged in the very heart of the ice around the
+poles, and in the focus of a volcano; which remains untouched by the most
+powerful reagents which the chemist can apply, and by the mightiest forces
+which the mechanician can bring to bear upon it? It seems to me that
+modern science does render the existence of such a substance probable,
+though not cognizable by the senses. It is the luminiferous ether, that
+attenuated medium by which light, and heat, and electricity are
+transmitted from one part of the universe to another, by undulations of
+inconceivable velocity. This strange fluid, whose existence and action
+seems all but demonstrated by the phenomena of light, heat, and
+electricity, and perhaps, too, by the resistance experienced by Encke's,
+Biela's, and Halley's comets, must possess the extraordinary
+characteristic above pointed out. It must exist and act wherever we find
+light, heat, or electricity; and where do we not find them? They penetrate
+through what has been called empty space; and, therefore, this ether
+exists there, propagating its undulations at the astonishing rate of two
+hundred thousand miles per second. They emanate in constant succession
+from every intensely heated focus, such as the sun, the volcano, and the
+chemical furnace; and, therefore, this strange medium is neither
+dissipated nor affected by the strongest known heat. Both light and heat
+are transmitted through ice; and, therefore, this ether cannot be
+congealed. The same is true of glass, and every transparent substance,
+however dense; and even the most solid metals convey heat and electricity
+with remarkable facility; and, therefore, this ether exists and acts with
+equal facility in the most solid masses as in a vacuum. In short, it seems
+to be independent of chemical or mechanical changes, and to act
+unobstructed in all possible modifications of matter. And, though too
+evanescent to be cognizable by the senses, or the most delicate chemical
+and mechanical tests, it possesses, nevertheless, a most astonishing
+activity.
+
+Now, I am not going to assert that the spiritual body will be composed of
+this luminiferous ether. But, since we know not the composition of that
+body, it is lawful to suppose that such may be its constitution. This is
+surely possible, and that is all which is essential to my present
+argument.
+
+Admitting its truth, the following interesting conclusions follow:--
+
+In the first place, the spiritual body would be unaffected by all possible
+changes of temperature. It might exist as well in the midst of fire, or of
+ice, as in any intermediate temperature. Hence it might pass from one
+extreme of temperature to another, and be at home in them all; and this is
+what we might hope for in a future world. Some, indeed, have imagined that
+the sun will be the future heaven of the righteous; and on this
+supposition there is no absurdity in the theory. Nor would there be in the
+hypothesis which should locate heaven in solid ice, or in the centre of
+the earth.
+
+In the second place, on this supposition, the spiritual body would be
+unharmed by those chemical and mechanical agencies which matter in no
+other form can resist.
+
+The question has often arisen, how the glorified body, if material, would
+be able to escape all sources of injury, so as to be immortal as the soul.
+In this hypothesis, we see how it is possible; for though the whole globe
+should change its chemical constitution, though worlds should dash upon
+worlds, the spiritual body, though present at the very point where the
+terrible collision took place, would feel no injury; and safe in its
+immortal habitation, the soul might smile amid "the wreck of matter and
+the crush of worlds."
+
+In the third place, on this supposition, the soul might communicate its
+thoughts and receive a knowledge of events and of other minds, through
+distances inconceivably great, with the speed of lightning. If we suppose
+the soul, in such a tenement, could transmit its thoughts and desires, and
+receive impressions, through the luminiferous ether, with only the same
+velocity as light, it might communicate with other beings upon the sun, at
+the distance of one hundred million miles, in eight minutes; and such a
+power we may reasonably expect the soul will hereafter possess, whether
+derived from this or some other agency. We cannot believe that, in another
+world, the soul's communication with the rest of the universe will be as
+limited as in the present state. On this supposition, she need not wander
+through the universe to learn the events transpiring in other spheres, for
+the intelligence would be borne on the morning's ray or the lightning's
+wing.
+
+Finally, on this supposition, the germ of the future spiritual body may,
+even in this world, be attached to the soul; and it may be this which she
+will come seeking after on the resurrection morning.
+
+I know not but this wonderful medium, in some unknown form, may attach
+itself to the sleeping dust; and though that dust be scattered upon the
+winds, or diffused in the waters of the ocean, and transformed into other
+animal bodies, still that germ may not be lost. The chemist has often been
+perplexed, when he thinks how the bodies of men are decomposed after
+death, and how every particle must, in some cases, pass into other bodies;
+he has been perplexed, I say, to see how the resurrection body should be
+identified, and especially how those particles could become a part of
+different bodies. Perhaps the hypothesis under consideration may relieve
+the difficulty. Perhaps, too, it may teach us how the soul exists and
+acts, when separated from the body. It may act through this universal
+medium, though in a manner less perfect than after it has united itself to
+the spiritual body raised from the grave.[20]
+
+But I fear I am venturing too far into the region of conjecture. My only
+object is, to show that we do know of a substance which might form a
+spiritual body which should be in its element upon the new earth, even
+though it were in the condition of a fiery ocean. It could not, indeed, be
+an organic body of such a kind as heat would destroy; though I see no
+reason why it may not possess an organism far more delicate and wonderful
+than that of our present bodies, and yet be unaffected by heat or cold, or
+mechanical or chemical agencies. I do not feel, therefore, that the
+objection which I am considering is insuperable. It results, I apprehend,
+from the false assumption that the spiritual body will be subject to
+those influences by which our present comparatively gross bodies are so
+powerfully affected.
+
+Shall I be pardoned if I say that, in the experiments of an incipient and
+maltreated science, we have, perhaps, a glimpse of the manner in which the
+soul will act in the future spiritual body? for if those experiments be
+not all delusion,--and how can we reasonably infer that experiments so
+multiplied, so various, and in many cases, when not in the hands of
+itinerant jugglers, so fairly performed,--I say, how can we regard all
+these as mere trickery? and if not, they are best explained by supposing
+the soul to act independently of the bodily organs, and through the same
+medium which we have supposed to constitute the future spiritual body. In
+this view, mesmerism assumes a most interesting aspect, forming, as it
+were, a link between the present and the future world. The theory which I
+have advanced does not, indeed, fall to the ground, though mesmerism
+should be found a delusion; yet it is but justice to say, that it first
+came under my eye in that most classical, philosophical, and attractive
+work, Townsend's "Facts in Mesmerism." A similar view, however, was
+presented several years earlier, in a work by Isaac Taylor, no less
+ingenious and profound, the "Physical Theory of Another Life," a work,
+however, which makes not the slightest allusion to mesmerism. The author
+supposes such a state of things as I have imagined in another life to be
+in existence even now. "The sensation of light," says he, "is now believed
+to result from the vibrations, not the emanations, of an elastic fluid, or
+ether; but this same element may be capable of another species of
+vibrations; or the electric or the magnetic fluids may be susceptible of
+some such vibrations; or an element as universally diffused as light
+through the universe may be the medium of sonorous undulations, equally
+rapid and distinct, and serving to connect the most remote regions of the
+universe by the conveyance of sounds, just as the most remote are actually
+connected by the passage of light. Yet the sonorous vibrations of this
+supposed element may be far too delicate to awaken the ear of man, or, in
+fact, of a kind not perceptible by the human auditory nerve." "We refuse
+to allow that a conjecture of this sort is extravagant, or destitute of
+philosophical probability; on the contrary, consider it as borne out, in a
+positive sense, by the discoveries of modern science. Might we then rest
+for a moment upon an animating conception (aided by the actual analogy of
+light) such as this, viz., that the field of the visible universe is the
+theatre of a vast social economy, holding rational intercourse at great
+distances? Let us claim leave to indulge the belief, when we contemplate
+the starry heavens, that speech, inquiry and response, commands and
+petitions, debate and instruction, are passing to and fro; or shall the
+imagination catch the pealing anthems of praise, at stated seasons,
+arising from worshippers in all quarters, and flowing on with thundering
+power, like the noise of many waters, until it meet and shake the courts
+of the central heavens?"--_Physical Theory of Another Life_, p. 202, 3d
+Am. ed.
+
+The second objection to the view which I have presented of the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth, as an abode of the righteous, may
+be thus stated: Heaven is an unchanging state; but a world which has been
+burned up and melted, even if we might suppose spiritual beings to dwell
+upon it, must undergo still further change. The radiation of its heat
+would form a crust over its surface; the waters, dissipated into vapor,
+would be recondensed; volcanic agency would ridge up the crust into
+mountains and valleys; and, in short, geological agencies would at length
+form such a surface, so far as rocks and soil are concerned, as we now
+tread upon. And even though organic beings should not be again placed upon
+it, those changes would proceed, till, perhaps, another and another great
+catastrophe by fire might pass over it; nor can we say where these
+mutations would end. Can we believe such a world to be heaven?
+
+Here, again, as in the last objection, it appears to me, the main
+difficulty lies in our judging of the future spiritual body by that
+organism which we now inhabit. Heaven is, indeed, an unchanging state of
+happiness and holiness. But does it, therefore, follow that there can be
+no change in its material form and aspect? I have already shown that the
+spiritual body may be of such a composition that no change of temperature,
+of place or constitution, in surrounding bodies, can at all affect it. If
+the soul could be happy in one set of physical circumstances while in such
+a tenement, it might be happy in any other circumstances with which we are
+acquainted. But it does not follow that the happiness of the soul might
+not be increased by the changes of the material world around it. What is
+it on earth that affords the greatest amount of happiness derived from the
+external world? It is the immense variety of creation, produced chiefly by
+chemical and mechanical agencies. These changes afford us the most
+striking exhibitions of the wisdom, power, and benevolence of the Deity,
+within our knowledge; and why may not analogous, or still more wonderful
+changes, and greater variety, give still higher conceptions of the divine
+character to the inhabitants of heaven, and excite a purer and a stronger
+love? And to study that character will form, I doubt not, the grand
+employment of heaven. Who can tell what depths of knowledge may there be
+laid open into the internal constitution of matter, and its combinations,
+and especially its union with spirit! And what surer means of bringing out
+these developments than change, constant and everlasting change? For who
+can set limits to those mutations which an infinite God can produce upon
+the matter of this vast universe? It is easy to see that they may be
+literally infinite.
+
+Once more. We have seen that the geological changes which our world has
+hitherto undergone have been an improvement of its condition, and that
+each successive economy has been a brighter exhibition of divine wisdom
+and benevolence: Shall this progress be arrested when the present economy
+closes? We know that the righteous will forever advance in holiness and
+happiness. Why may not a part of that increase depend upon their
+introduction into higher and higher economies through eternal ages? May
+not this be one of the modes in which new developments of the character of
+God will open upon them in the world of bliss?
+
+The Scriptures represent the material aspect of the new heavens and the
+new earth, when first the righteous enter upon them, to be one of
+surpassing glory. But why may not other developments await them in the
+round of eternal ages, as their expanding faculties are able to understand
+and appreciate them?
+
+The greater the variety of new scenes in the material world which shall be
+presented to the mind, such as an infinite Deity shall devise, the more
+intense the happiness of their contemplations; and who can set limits to
+the permutations which such a being can produce, even upon matter? I can
+form no conjecture as to the nature of those new developments; nor do I
+believe they could be understood in our present state. I feel as if those
+formed too low an estimate of the new heavens and the new earth, who
+imagine a repetition there of the most curious organic structures, the
+most splendid flowers and fruits, and the most enchanting landscapes of
+the present world: I fancy that scenes far more enchanting, and objects
+far more glorious, will meet the soul at its first entrance upon the new
+earth, even though to mortal vision it should present only an ocean of
+fire. I imagine a thousand new inlets into the soul--nay, I think of it as
+all eye, all ear, all sensation; now plunging deeper into the
+infinitesimal parts of matter than the microscope can carry us, and now
+soaring away, perhaps on the waves of the mysterious ether, far beyond the
+ken of the telescope. And if such is the first entrance into heaven, who
+can conjecture what new fields and new glories shall open before the mind,
+and fill it with ecstasy, as it flies onward without end! But I dare not
+indulge further in these hypothetical, yet fascinating thoughts; yet let
+us never forget, that in a very short time, far shorter than we imagine,
+all the scenes of futurity will be to us a thrilling reality. We shall
+then know in a moment how much of truth there is in these speculations.
+But if they all prove false, fully confident am I that the scenes which
+will open upon us will surpass our liveliest conceptions. The glass
+through which we now see darkly will be removed, and face to face shall we
+meet eternal glories. Then shall we learn that our present bodily organs,
+however admirably adapted to our condition here, were in fact clogs upon
+the soul, intended to fetter its free range, that we might the more richly
+enjoy the liberty of the sons of God, and expatiate in the spiritual body,
+_the building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the
+heavens_.
+
+Let us, then, live continually under the influence of the scenes that
+await us beyond the grave. They will thus become familiar to us and we
+shall appreciate their infinite superiority to the objects that so deeply
+interest us on earth. We shall be led to look forward even with strong
+desire, in spite of the repulsive aspect of death, to that state where the
+soul will be freed from her prison-house of flesh and blood, and can range
+in untiring freedom through the boundless fields of knowledge and
+happiness that are in prospect. Then shall we learn to despise the low
+aims and contracted views of the sensualist, the demagogue, and the
+worldling. High and noble thoughts and aspirations will lift our souls
+above the murky atmosphere of this world, and, while yet in the body, we
+shall begin to breathe the empyreal air of the new heavens, and to gather
+the fruits of the tree of life in the new earth, where righteousness only
+shall forever dwell.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XII.
+
+THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE.
+
+
+In order to impress some important truth or transaction, men have
+sometimes represented surrounding inanimate objects as looking on and
+witnessing the scene, or listening to the words, and ready ever afterwards
+to open their mouth to testify to the facts, should man deny them. I know
+of no writings from which to derive so striking an illustration of these
+strong figurative representations as the sacred Scriptures.
+
+Take, for a first example, the solemn covenant entered into between
+Jehovah and the Israelites, in the time of Joshua. To fix the transaction
+as firmly as possible in the minds of the fickle people, _he took a great
+stone and set it up there under an oak that was by the sanctuary of the
+Lord. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a
+witness unto us. For it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he
+spake unto us. It shall, therefore, be a witness unto you, lest ye deny
+your God._
+
+In a second example, the prophet Habakkuk describes the insatiable
+wickedness of the Chaldeans; and addressing the nation as an individual,
+he says, _Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many
+people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stone shall cry out of
+the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it._ Such
+abominations had aroused even the most insensible part of creation, the
+very timber and the stone, to life and indignation.
+
+In a third example, the whole multitude of Jews had just spread their
+garments upon the ground for Christ to ride over, they meanwhile crying
+out, _Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in
+heaven and glory in the highest._ But some of the Pharisees said, _Master,
+rebuke thy disciples; and he answered and said unto them, If these should
+hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out._ If man refused to
+do homage to the King of glory, when he came among them, the rocks, more
+sensible, would break forth in his praises.
+
+The discoveries of modern science, however, show us that there is a
+literal sense in which the material creation receives an impression from
+all our words and actions that can never be effaced; and that nature,
+through all time, is ever ready to bear testimony of what we have said and
+done. Men fancy that the wave of oblivion passes over the greater part of
+their actions. But physical science shows us that those actions have been
+transfused into the very texture of the universe, so that no waters can
+wash them out, and no erosions, comminution, or metamorphoses, can
+obliterate them.
+
+The principle which I advance in its naked form is this: _Our words, our
+actions, and even our thoughts, make an indelible impression on the
+universe._ Thrown into a poetic form, this principle converts creation
+
+  Into a vast sounding gallery;
+  Into a vast picture gallery;
+  And into a universal telegraph.
+
+This proposition I shall endeavor to sustain by an appeal to
+well-established principles of science. Yet, since some of these
+principles are not the most common and familiar, and have not been
+applied, except in part, to this subject, I must be more technical in
+their explanation than I could wish, and more minute in the details.
+
+The grand point, however, on which the whole subject turns, is the
+doctrine of reaction. By this is meant the mutual or reciprocal action of
+different things upon one another. Thus, if a body fall to the earth, the
+earth reacts upon it, and stops it, or throws it back. If sulphuric acid
+be poured upon limestone, a mutual action ensues; the acid acts on the
+stone, and the stone reacts upon the acid, and a new compound is produced.
+If light fall upon a solid body, the body reacts upon the light, which it
+sends back to the eye with an image of itself. These are examples of what
+is meant by reaction, or the reciprocal action of different substances
+upon one another. But it is not every kind of reaction that will prove a
+permanent impression to be made upon the universe by our conduct. Hence we
+must be more specific.
+
+_In the first place, the principle is proved and illustrated by the
+doctrine of mechanical reaction._
+
+From the principle, long since settled in mechanics, that action and
+reaction are equal, it will follow that every impression which man makes
+by his words, or his movements, upon the air, the waters, or the solid
+earth, will produce a series of changes in each of those elements which
+will never end. The word which is now going out of my mouth causes
+pulsations or waves in the air, and these, though invisible to human eyes,
+expand in every direction until they have passed around the whole globe,
+and produced a change in the whole atmosphere; nor will a single
+circumgyration complete the effect; but the sentence which I am now
+uttering shall alter the whole atmosphere through all future time. So
+that, as Professor Babbage remarks, to whom we are indebted for the first
+moral application of this mechanical principle, "the air is one vast
+library, on whose pages are forever written all that man has ever said, or
+woman whispered." Not a word has ever escaped from mortal lips, whether
+for the defence of virtue or the perversion of the truth, not a cry of
+agony has ever been uttered by the oppressed, not a mandate of cruelty by
+the oppressor, not a false and flattering word by the deceiver, but it is
+registered indelibly upon the atmosphere we breathe. And could man command
+the mathematics of superior minds, every particle of air thus set in
+motion could be traced through all its changes, with as much precision as
+the astronomer can point out the path of the heavenly bodies. No matter
+how many storms have raised the atmosphere into wild commotion, and
+whirled it into countless forms; no matter how many conflicting waves have
+mixed and crossed one another; the path of each pulsation is definite, and
+subject to the laws of mathematics. To follow it requires, indeed, a power
+of analysis superior to human; but we can conceive it to be far inferior
+to the divine.
+
+The same thing is true of the waters. No wave has ever been raised on
+their bosom, no keel has ever ploughed their surface, which has not sent
+an influence and a change into every ocean, and modified every wave, that
+has rolled in upon the farthest shores. As the vessel crosses the deep,
+the parted waves close in, and every trace of disturbance soon disappears
+from human vision. Nevertheless, it is certain that every track thus
+furrowed in the waters has sent an influence through their entire mass,
+such as is calculable by distinct formulæ; and it may be that glorified
+minds, by the principles of celestial mathematics, can as easily trace out
+the paths of the unnumbered vessels that have crossed the waters, as the
+astronomer can the paths of the planets or the comets.
+
+The solid earth, too, is alike tenacious of every impression we make upon
+it; not a footprint of man or beast is marked upon its surface, that does
+not permanently change the whole globe. Every one of its countless atoms
+will retain and exhibit an infinitesimal, but a real, effect through all
+coming time. It is too minute, indeed, for the cognizance of the human
+senses. But in a higher sphere there may be inlets of perception acute
+enough to trace it through all its bearings, and thus render every atom of
+the globe a living witness to the actions of every living being.
+
+In view of these facts, we cannot regard the glowing language of Babbage
+an exaggeration, when he says, "The soul of the negro, whose fettered
+body, surviving the living charnel-house of his infected prison, was
+thrown into the sea to lighten the ship, that his Christian master might
+escape the limited justice at length assigned by civilized man to crimes
+whose profit had long gilded their atrocity, will need, at the last great
+day of human accounts, no living witness of his earthly agony: when man
+and all his race shall have disappeared from the face of our planet, ask
+every particle of air still floating over the unpeopled earth, and it will
+record the cruel mandate of the tyrant. Interrogate every wave which
+breaks unimpeded on ten thousand desolate shores, and it will give
+evidence of the last gurgle of the waters which closed over the head of
+his dying victim. Confront the murderer with every corporeal atom of his
+immolated slave, and in its still quivering movements he will read the
+prophet's denunciation of the prophet king."
+
+The distinguished mathematical professor from whom I have just quoted
+limits the effects of this mathematical reaction to this globe and its
+atmosphere. But if, as the philosophers now generally admit, there is a
+subtile and extremely elastic medium pervading all space, why must they
+not extend to other worlds, yea, to the whole universe? Without an
+accurate acquaintance with the facts, indeed, it will seem a mere
+extravagant imagination to say that our most trivial word or action sends
+a thrill throughout the whole material universe; but I see not why sober
+and legitimate science does not conduct us to this conclusion. Nay, still
+further, it teaches us that the vibrations and changes which our words and
+actions produce upon the universe shall never cease their action and
+reaction till materialism be no more.
+
+We venture, then, to push this thought of the ingenious mathematician into
+another sphere, which he did not enter. The majority, probably, of the
+ablest expounders of the Bible have maintained, as previously shown, that
+the apostle Peter most unequivocally teaches us that the new heavens, or
+atmosphere, and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, are merely
+our present earth and atmosphere, melted and burnt by the fires of the
+last day, and fitted up anew,--a second and a lovelier paradise,--to be
+the everlasting abode of holiness and happiness. Indeed, to attempt to fix
+any other meaning upon Peter's language makes of it a most absurd jumble
+of literal and figurative expressions, and produces an inversion of
+chronological events. But, admitting the literal meaning of the apostle to
+be the true one, then those reactions, produced by our words and conduct
+upon the present world, shall not be destroyed by the fires of the last
+day, but reappear in the new economy, and modify the pulsations of the new
+heavens and the new earth through all eternity.
+
+But even though heaven should be in some other part of the universe, and
+not this earth refitted, yet, if it be a material residence, why, on the
+principles already explained, should it not be reached and affected by
+those vibrations which the laws of mathematics assure us are now
+spreading from each individual, as a centre, through the whole universe?
+The conflagration of the earth will alter its chemical constitution, and
+convert matter into new forms; but the mechanical character of the atoms
+will not be destroyed; and when they emerge from the final catastrophe, in
+new and brighter forms, they may still bear and exhibit the impress of
+every word and every action which they now receive.
+
+Such representations as these, I am aware, will, upon first thought, seem
+to most minds little better than the dreams of fancy, although founded
+upon the laws of mathematics. For how soon does every trace disappear from
+the earth of the most terrible convulsions and the mightiest human
+efforts! The shout of countless multitudes, the thunder and the crash of
+battle, and even the volcano's bellowing, are soon succeeded by unbroken
+silence; and we cannot discover a trace of any of those countless scenes
+of noise and convulsion that have been acted upon the world's busy stage.
+How practically absurd, then, to imagine that any influence goes out from
+the feeble efforts of individuals, that can be recognized, either now or
+hereafter, on the wide field of the universe!
+
+Such objections as these, however, are based upon the impression, of which
+it is hard to divest ourselves, that our present means of distinguishing
+the effects of physical forces are as perfect as we can hope for in
+eternity. And yet, who will doubt that, when our present gross bodies
+shall be laid aside, the soul, looking forth from a spiritual body, with
+quickened powers and unobstructed vision, shall penetrate a new world in
+the infinitesimal parts of creation? What absurdity in the supposition
+that then the minutest movement among the atoms, which can now be
+discovered only by the mathematics of quantities infinitely small, may
+then stand out as distinctly to our inspection as do now the features of
+the landscape? What absurdity in the supposition that, even now, there are
+finite minds in the universe who possess this quickened power of
+perception, and, though in distant worlds, do actually know what is
+passing here by the vibrations which our words and actions produce upon
+elastic matter?
+
+Thus far I have spoken of the influence of our words and actions only upon
+the material universe, although the principle with which I started
+includes thoughts also. But are not actions merely the external
+manifestation of thoughts and purposes? and, therefore, is not thought the
+efficient agency that impresses the universe? I shall also attempt to show
+that there are other modes in which the intellect may do this, aside from
+ordinary words and actions.
+
+But I proceed to the second proof of the general principle. _And I derive
+it from what may be called optical reactions; that is, the reaction of
+light and the substances on which it impinges._ These exert such an
+influence upon it, that, when it is thrown back from them, and enters the
+organs of vision, or even a transparent lens, with a screen behind it, it
+produces an image of those objects; in other words, what we call vision.
+
+Now, it is this fact, in connection with the progressive motion of light,
+that forms the basis of this branch of the argument. Though light moves
+with such immense velocity, that, for all practical purposes on earth, it
+is instantaneous, yet, in fact, it does occupy a little more than a second
+for every two hundred thousand miles which it passes over. Hence a flash
+of lightning occurring on earth would not be visible on the moon till a
+second and a quarter afterwards; on the sun, till eight minutes; at the
+planet Jupiter, when at its greatest distance from us, till fifty-two
+minutes; on Uranus, till two hours; on Neptune, till four hours and a
+quarter; on the star of Vega, of the first magnitude, till forty-five
+years; on a star of the eighth magnitude, till one hundred and eighty
+years; and on a star of the twelfth magnitude, till four thousand years;
+and stars of this magnitude are visible through telescopes; nor can we
+doubt that, with better instruments, stars of far less magnitude might be
+seen; so that we may confidently say that this flash of lightning would
+not reach the remotest heavenly body till more than six thousand years--a
+period equal to that which has elapsed since man's creation.
+
+Now, suppose that, on these different heavenly bodies, beings exist with
+organs of vision sufficiently acute to discern a flash of lightning on
+earth, or, rather, to see all the scenes on that hemisphere of our world
+that is turned towards them; it is obvious that, on the remotest star, the
+earth would be seen, at this moment, just coming forth from the Creator's
+hand, in all the freshness of Eden's glories, with our first parents in
+the beauty of innocence and happiness, and all the beasts of the field and
+the fowls of the air playing around them. On a star of the twelfth
+magnitude would be seen the world as it showed itself four thousand years
+ago; on a star of the eighth magnitude, as it appeared one hundred and
+eighty years ago; and so on to the moon, where would be seen the
+occurrences of the present moment. And since there are ten thousand times
+ten thousand worlds, scattered through these extremes of distance, is it
+not clear that, taking them all together, they do at this moment contain a
+vast panorama of the world's entire history, since the hour when the
+morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy on
+creation's morning?
+
+"Thus," says the unknown author of a little work entitled "The Stars and
+the Earth," in which these ideas were first developed--"thus the universe
+encloses the _pictures_ of the past, like an indestructible and
+incorruptible record, containing the purest and the clearest truth; and as
+sound propagates itself in the air, wave after wave, or, to take a still
+clearer example, as thunder and lightning are in reality simultaneous, but
+in the storm the distant thunder follows at the interval of minutes
+[seconds?] after the flash, so, in like manner, according to our ideas,
+the pictures of every occurrence propagate themselves into the distant
+ether, upon the wings of the ray of light; and although they become weaker
+and smaller, yet, in immeasurable distance, they still have color and
+form; and as every thing possessing color and form is visible, so must
+these pictures also be said to be visible, however impossible it may be
+for the human eye to perceive it with the hitherto discovered optical
+instruments."
+
+This last statement of the writer every one will acknowledge is true when
+applied to God; for who will doubt that his eye can take in at a glance
+that universe which he has made? And to do that is to have before him the
+entire daily history of our globe; nay, probably, also, of every other
+world. Indeed, such a supposition affords us a lively conception of the
+divine omniscience, since we have only to suppose this panorama of the
+indefinite past to extend indefinitely into the future, and the infinite
+picture will also be present at this moment before the divine mind.
+
+But is the supposition an absurdity, that there may be in the universe
+created beings, with powers of vision acute enough to take in all these
+pictures of our world's history, as they make the circuit of the
+numberless suns and planets that lie embosomed in boundless space? Suppose
+such a being at this moment upon a star of the twelfth magnitude, with an
+eye turned toward the earth. He might see the deluge of Noah, just
+sweeping over the surface. Advancing to a nearer star, he would see the
+patriarch Abraham going out, not knowing whither he went. Coming still
+nearer, the vision of the crucified Redeemer would meet his gaze. Coming
+nearer still, he might alight upon worlds where all the revolutions and
+convulsions of modern times would fall upon his eye. Indeed, there are
+worlds enough and at the right distances, in the vast empyrean, to show
+him every event in human history.
+
+We may proceed a step farther, and inquire whether such an exaltation of
+vision as we have supposed may not be hereafter enjoyed by the glorified
+human mind when it passes into the spiritual body. We can hardly believe
+such a transformation possible. But suppose an individual born blind to
+grow up to manhood and intelligence without ever having been told any
+thing about vision. Then suppose the oculist to attempt an operation for
+the restoration of his sight, and, to prepare him for the transition, let
+the wonders of human vision be described to him, and he be told that, by a
+few moments of suffering, he can be put in possession of this astonishing
+faculty; would it not appear as improbable to him as it now does to us, to
+imagine that our vision can be so clarified and exalted, that we can
+discern the events which are passing in distant worlds as easily as we now
+do those immediately around us.
+
+But if such a power of reading human history, from its panorama spread out
+on the face of the universe, be now possessed by unfallen beings in other
+spheres, what idea must they form of the character of man? At one time,
+they must regard the race as given up to hopeless rebellion, and the
+inflictions of vindictive justice. And then, anon, they would see the
+sceptre of mercy stretched out, and a few faithful soldiers marching under
+the banner of virtue and fighting the battles of the Lord. Surely they
+would need a revelation to understand the anomalies and solve the
+paradoxes which passed under their eyes. They would wonder why a world so
+filled with tokens of divine goodness, yet so disfigured by wickedness in
+every form, had not long since been struck from its orbit by the hand of
+divine justice.
+
+Thus far, in the present argument, I have been following, for the most
+part, in the track marked out by others. But I now venture to advance into
+regions hitherto untrodden for any such purpose; yet I trust that the
+light which we may find to guide our steps may not prove the bewildering
+gleam of an _ignis fatuus_, but the lamp of true science.
+
+_My third argument is based upon electric reactions._
+
+Whatever may be the true nature of electricity, it is convenient, and
+probably leads to no error, to speak of it as a fluid, or rather two
+fluids. For we find two kinds of electricity, denominated positive and
+negative; and it is a general fact, that, when a body is brought into one
+electrical state, it throws other bodies around it into the opposite
+state, by a power called induction. Those bodies, whose electrical
+condition has been thus altered, will act on others lying in a remoter
+circle, and these upon others, and so on, we cannot tell how widely, for
+we have reason to suppose that electricity is a power that extends through
+all nature. It can hardly be doubted that is the force which constitutes
+what we call chemical affinity by which the constituent parts of all
+compound bodies are held together; and in those stony and metallic masses,
+that occasionally fall from the heavens, we have proof that this same
+power holds sway in other worlds; for the most reasonable supposition is,
+that these meteors move like the planets through the regions of celestial
+space, and give us some idea of the constitution of planetary worlds. If
+so, the same chemical laws, and, of course, the same chemical forces,
+prevail there as in our planet. Indeed, the uniformity of nature would
+lead us to such a conclusion were there no facts like those of meteors to
+teach it directly. It follows, from these principles, that, whenever we
+change the electrical condition of bodies around us, we start a movement
+to whose onward march we can assign no limits but the material universe.
+These waves of influence consist of a series of attractions and
+repulsions, and are independent of the mechanical reactions already
+considered, which are produced by onward impulses alone.
+
+Now, a change in the electric condition of bodies is produced often by the
+slightest mechanical, chemical, thermal, physiological, and probably even
+mental change in man. The usual way of exciting currents of electricity is
+by friction. But chemical action, as in the galvanic battery, produces a
+still more energetic and uninterrupted current. The slightest change of
+temperature, also, may disturb the electric equilibrium perceptibly. It
+has been of late ascertained, likewise, that a change of physiological
+condition--that is, a change as to healthy and normal action--affects the
+electricity of the parts of the system, and consequently of surrounding
+bodies. Substitute a man in the place of a galvanic battery, making his
+two hands the electrodes, and there will go out from him an electric
+current, that shall sensibly deflect the needle of a galvanometer, an
+instrument employed for showing the presence of small portions of
+electricity.
+
+Nay, further, it seems to be most probably established as a fact in
+science, that a man, in the condition above specified, by a simple act of
+his will upon his muscles, by which those of one arm only shall be
+braced, will thereby send an electrical current of one sort through the
+galvanometer, while a like volition, which shall brace the muscles of the
+other arm will set in motion an opposite current.
+
+It is also ascertained, that of the two sorts of nerves which supply every
+muscle, the nerve of sensibility is a positive pole of a Voltaic circuit,
+while the nerve of motion, or the muscle into which it passes, is a
+negative pole. So that the sensor nerves act as electric telegraphs to
+carry the sensations to the brain, and inform it what is needed, while the
+motor nerves bring back the volition to the muscles--the brain acting as a
+galvanic battery, very much like the electric organs of certain fishes.
+
+From these statements it clearly follows, that, besides the mechanical
+effects produced by our actions, there is also an electric influence
+excited and propagated by almost every muscular effort, every chemical
+change within us, every variation in the state of health, or vigor, and
+especially by every mental effort; for no thought, probably, can pass
+through the mind which does not alter the physiological, chemical, and
+electric condition of the brain, and consequently of the whole system. The
+stronger the emotion, the greater the change; so that those great mental
+efforts, and those great decisions of the will, which bring along
+important moral effects, do also make the strongest impression upon the
+material universe. We cannot say how widely, by means of electric force,
+they reach; but if so subtile a power does, as we have reason to suppose,
+permeate all space, and all solid matter, there may be no spot in the
+whole universe where the knowledge of our most secret thoughts and
+purposes, as well as our most trivial outward act, may not be transmitted
+on the lightning's wing; and it may be, that, out of this darkened world,
+there may not be found any spot where beings do not exist with
+sensibilities keen enough to learn, through electric changes, what we are
+doing and thinking.
+
+If there be no absurdity in supposing that even the mechanical influence
+of our actions may be felt throughout the universe, still less is it
+absurd to infer the same results from electric agencies.
+
+It would seem, from recent discoveries, that electricity has a more
+intimate connection with mental operations than any other physical force.
+If not identical with the nervous influence, it seems to be employed by
+the mind to accompany that influence to every part of the system; and the
+greater the mental excitement, the more energetic the electric movement.
+It seems to us a marvellous discovery, which enables man to convey and
+register his thoughts at the distance of thousands of miles by the
+electric wires. Should it excite any higher wonder to be told, that, by
+means of this same power, all our thoughts are transmitted to every part
+of the universe, and can be read there by the neuter perceptions of other
+beings as easily as we can read the types or hieroglyphics of the electric
+telegraph? Yet what a startling thought is it, that the most secret
+workings of our minds and hearts are momentarily spread out in legible
+characters over the whole material universe! nay, that they are so woven
+into the texture of the universe, that they will constitute a part of its
+web and woof forever! To believe and realize this is difficult; to deny it
+is to go in the face of physical science. How many things we do believe
+that are sustained by evidence far less substantial!
+
+_My fourth argument in support of the general principle is based upon
+odylic reaction._
+
+And what is odylic reaction? What is odyle? you will doubtless inquire.
+It is, indeed, a branch of science emphatically new. I know of no account
+of it, save what appears in a late work, of nearly five hundred pages, by
+Baron Reichenbach, of Vienna, entitled "Researches on Magnetism,
+Electricity, Heat, Light, Crystallization, and Chemical Attraction, in
+their Relations to the Vital Force," translated by William Gregory,
+professor of chemistry in the University of Edinburgh. This writer
+endeavors to show, by a great number of experiments, that there exists in
+all bodies, and throughout the universe, a peculiar principle, analogous
+to magnetism, electricity, light, and heat, yet distinct from them all, to
+which he gives the name of _odyle_. It is most manifest in powerful
+magnets; next in crystals, and exists in the human body, the sun, moon,
+stars, heat, electricity, chemical action, and, in fact, the whole
+material universe. Those who are most sensitive to this influence are
+persons of feeble health, especially somnambulists; but it is found that
+about one third of individuals, taken promiscuously, and many in good
+health, are sensible of it; and it was by a series of observations on
+persons of all classes and conditions for years, that the facts have been
+elicited. The inquiry seems to have been conducted with great fairness and
+scientific skill, and the author has the confidence of several of the most
+distinguished scientific men in Europe. If there be no mistake in the
+results, they promise to explain philosophically many popular
+superstitions, and also the phenomena of mesmerism, without a resort to
+superhuman agency, either satanic or angelic. They yield, also, an
+interesting support to the principle of this lecture. Says Baron
+Reichenbach, "There is nothing in these observations [which he had just
+detailed] that, after the contents of the preceding treatises, can much
+surprise us; but they are certainly a fine additional confirmation of what
+has been stated in regard to the sun and moon, and also of the fact that
+the whole material universe, even beyond our earth, acts on us with the
+very same kind of influence which resides in all terrestrial objects; and
+lastly, it shows that we stand in a connection of mutual influence,
+hitherto unsuspected, with the universe; so that, in fact, the stars are
+not altogether devoid of action on our sublunary, perhaps even on our
+practical, world, and on the mental processes of some heads."--P. 162.
+
+By the experiments here referred to by this author, he had endeavored to
+show, that even the light of the stars exerted an odylic influence upon
+the human system; that is, certain effects independent altogether of their
+light; and if there be no mistake in the experiments, they certainly do
+show this. Such a fact almost realizes the suggestions already made, that
+beings in other spheres may possess such an exaltation of sensibilities as
+to be able to learn what is going on in this world, and that it is easy to
+conceive how our sensorium may be raised to the same exalted pitch.
+
+_My fifth argument, illustrative of the general principle, is based upon
+chemical reaction._
+
+Mechanical reaction changes the form and position of bodies; chemical
+reaction alters their constitution. By the decomposition of some
+compounds, the elements are obtained for forming others; and such changes
+are going on around us and within us in great numbers unperceived. In the
+worlds above us, and in the earth beneath us, from its circumference to
+its centre, the transmutations of chemistry are in progress, and many of
+them are modified by the agency of man; so that here is another channel
+through which human actions exert an influence upon the material universe,
+and to an extent which we cannot measure. Let us look at some of the modes
+in which this is done.
+
+Take, in the first place, the facts respecting photography, or the art of
+obtaining sketches of objects by means of the action of light. This is
+strictly a chemical process. In a beam of light, that comes to us from the
+sun, we find not only rays of light and heat, but chemical rays, which act
+upon some bodies to change their constitution. When these rays are
+reflected from a human countenance, and fall upon a silvered plate, that
+has been coated with iodine and bromine, they leave an impression, which
+is fixed and brought out as a portrait by the vapor of mercury and some
+other agents. Here the chemical changes produced by these rays are
+exceedingly perfect; but they produce effects upon many other substances,
+artificially or naturally prepared; such as paper, for instance, immersed
+in a solution of bichromate of potash, or upon vegetation, whose green
+color is probably the result of this action, (as is obvious from the fact
+that plants growing in the dark are destitute of color.) Indeed, a large
+part of the changes of color in nature depend upon these invisible rays.
+
+It seems, then, that this photographic influence pervades all nature; nor
+can we say where it stops. We do not know but it may imprint upon the
+world around us our features, as they are modified by various passions,
+and thus fill nature with daguerreotype impressions of all our actions
+that are performed in daylight. It may be, too, that there are tests by
+which nature, more skilfully than any human photographist, can bring out
+and fix those portraits, so that acuter senses than ours shall see them,
+as on a great canvas, spread over the material universe. Perhaps, too,
+they may never fade from that canvas, but become specimens in the great
+picture gallery of eternity.
+
+The thought may perhaps cross some mind, that, though those human actions
+which are performed in sunlight may be imprinted upon the universe, yet no
+deed of darkness can thus reveal its author, and remain an eternal stigma
+upon his name. But there is another phase to this subject. What is the
+evidence that the chemical rays of a sunbeam are rays of light? We know
+that they are unequally diffused through the spectrum, being most
+energetic at its violet extremity; but there is no proof that they are
+visible. They may, like heat, exert their appropriate influence, which
+seems to be mainly that of deoxidation, and yet not be colorific. If so,
+we might expect them to operate in the dark; and experiment proves that
+they do. An engraving on paper, placed between an iodized silver plate and
+an amalgamated copper plate, was left in the dark for fifteen hours. On
+exposing the amalgamated plate to the vapor of mercury, "a very nice
+impression of the engraving was brought out--it having been effected
+through the thickness of the paper."--Mr. Hunt, _"On the Changes which
+Bodies are capable of undergoing in Darkness," Phil. Mag._ vol. xxii. p.
+277.--Many like experiments prove the existence; among bodies, of a power
+analogous to, if not identical with, that which accompanies light, and is
+the basis of the photographic process. Some philosophers do not regard
+them as identical. But this is of little consequence in my present
+argument. For all agree that there is a power in nature capable of
+impressing the outlines of some objects upon others in total darkness.
+
+In respect to such cases, there are one or two facts deserving of special
+notice. And, first. We must not infer, because man has yet been able to
+bring out to human view but a few examples of this sort, that they are,
+therefore, few in nature. Rather should the discovery of a few lead to the
+conclusion that nature may be full of them, and that a more delicate and
+refined chemistry may yet disclose them. For the few known cases give us a
+glimpse of a recondite law of nature, which most likely pervades creation.
+Some regard these dark rays as neither light, nor heat, nor chemical rays,
+but a new element; but, whatever its nature, no reason can be given why it
+should operate only in a few cases, and those of artificial preparation.
+More probably, through this influence, all bodies brought into contact, or
+proximity, impress their images upon one another; and the time may come,
+when, touched by a more subtile chemistry than man now wields, these
+images shall take a place among obvious and permanent things in the
+universe, to the honor and glory of some, but to the amazement and
+everlasting contempt of more.
+
+Of more, I say; for wickedness has oftener sought the concealment of
+darkness than modest virtue. The foulest enormities of human conduct have
+always striven to cover themselves with the shroud of night. The thief,
+the counterfeiter, the assassin, the robber, the murderer, and the
+seducer, feel comparatively safe in the midnight darkness, because no
+human eye can scrutinize their actions. But what if it should turn out
+that sable night, to speak paradoxically, is an unerring photographist!
+What if wicked men, as they open their eyes from the sleep of death, in
+another world, should find the universe hung round with faithful pictures
+of their earthly enormities, which they had supposed forever lost in the
+oblivion of night! What scenes for them to gaze at forever! They may now,
+indeed, smile incredulously at such a suggestion; but the disclosures of
+chemistry may well make them tremble. Analogy does make it a scientific
+probability that every action of man, however deep the darkness in which
+it was performed, has imprinted its image upon nature, and that there may
+be tests which shall draw it into daylight, and make it permanent so long
+as materialism endures.
+
+There is another chemical principle, called _catalysis_, through which
+human actions may make powerful and permanent impressions on the universe,
+and that, too, unperceived by man. In some cases, the mere presence of a
+certain agent, in a small quantity, will produce extensive changes of
+constitution in other bodies, while the agent itself remains unaltered.
+Thus a strip of platinum will determine the union of oxygen and hydrogen
+in the platinum lamp; and sulphuric acid, in a solution of starch, will
+change it first into gum, and then into sugar; while neither the platinum
+nor the acid experiences any change. These are called _catalytic_ changes.
+More often, however, the catalytic agent is itself in the process of
+change, and it produces an analogous change in other bodies. A familiar
+example is yeast, or ferment. This substance contains a principle called
+_diastase_, one part of which is capable of converting two thousand parts
+of starch into sugar; and this is what is done in the familiar process of
+fermentation, when we always see verified the scriptural declaration, _A
+little leaven leaveneth the whole lump._
+
+The precise manner in which the diastase operates in these cases we may
+not be able to explain. The particles of the diastase, being themselves in
+motion, possess the power of putting in motion the particles of other
+bodies; and these, again, operate upon others, and so on, often to an
+astonishing extent. In the case of the platinum and the acid, however, no
+change takes place in their molecules, and we can only state it, as an
+unexplained fact, that they do produce changes in other bodies.
+
+We have other examples of catalytic influences in nature, exhibiting an
+agency still more subtile and energetic. I refer to contagious and
+epidemic diseases in animals and plants. An influence goes abroad, and
+seems to be propagated through the atmosphere, traversing whole
+continents, and crossing wide oceans, powerful and deadly in its effects,
+yet inappreciable by the most delicate mechanical or chemical tests. But
+the phenomena admit of explanation by supposing a movement, either in the
+particles of the atmosphere, or of the still more subtile and elastic
+medium that pervades all space; a movement started at a particular spot,
+as the cholera in India, and the small-pox or some epidemic from some
+focus, and communicating an unhealthy movement from atom to atom, till it
+has encircled the earth and mowed down its hecatombs.
+
+Now, when we look at such facts, who can suppose it improbable that man,
+who can hardly lift a finger without producing some chemical change,
+should start some of these movements, that may reach far beyond his
+imagination? And here, as in the cases that have preceded, we must not
+estimate the actual change in the constitution of bodies by the apparent;
+for we know that multitudes of such changes are passing within us and
+around us, without our cognizance; and yet there may be chemical eyes in
+the universe quick enough to see them all, and to follow them onward to
+the final result; for there must be a final resultant of all such forces;
+nor can we doubt that, some time or other, and to some beings, if not to
+ourselves, it will be manifest. Here, then, is another mode in which a
+chemical influence may go forth from us, reaching the utmost limits of
+matter and of time; nay, perhaps extending into eternity, and revealing
+our actions to the finer sensibilities of exalted beings.
+
+_I derive my sixth argument in support of the general principle from
+organic reaction._
+
+Few persons, save the zoölogist and comparative anatomist, have any idea
+of the great nicety and delicacy of the relations that exist between all
+the species of animals and plants, so that what affects one affects all
+the rest. Perhaps the subject may be illustrated by supposing all the
+species of organic beings to be distributed at different distances through
+a hollow sphere, while between them all there is a mutual repulsion, and
+the whole are retained in the form of a sphere by an attracting force
+directed to the centre. By such an arrangement, if one species be taken
+out of the sphere, or its repellency become stronger or weaker, the
+relative position of all the rest would be altered. No matter how many
+millions of species there are, the movements of one will cause a reaction
+among all the rest.
+
+Now, this illustration, although an approximation, falls short of
+representing the actual state of things in nature. It is no exaggeration
+to say that a relation similar to the supposed one exists throughout the
+vast dominions of animate beings; so that you cannot obliterate or change
+one species without affecting all the rest. Often the change is effected
+so slowly and indirectly that the beings experiencing it are unconscious
+of it; or they may realize some slight disturbance of the balance in
+organic nature, and yet be unconscious of the cause. By the illustration
+above given, when one or more species is removed from the supposed sphere,
+or its repellent force weakened or strengthened, although an influence
+will reach all the other species, yet a new equilibrium will soon be
+established, and no permanently bad effects seem to follow. But not so in
+nature. There the balance originally fixed between different beings by
+infinite wisdom is the best possible; and every change, not intended by
+Providence, must be for the worse. It was intended, for instance, that man
+should subdue forests and extirpate noxious plants, as well as ferocious
+and noxious animals; and, therefore, such a change operates to his
+advantage, but to the injury of the inferior animals. Yet often he pushes
+this exterminating process so far as to injure himself also. Thus the
+farmer wages a relentless war against certain birds, because of some
+slight evils which they occasion. But when they are extirpated,
+opportunity is given for noxious insects to multiply, and to bring upon
+the farmer evils much greater than those he thus escapes.
+
+To prevent an excessive multiplication of some species is one of the grand
+objects of the present balance established among the whole. Such an
+increase is an inevitable effect of the extinction of a species, and it
+often occasions great mischief. The carnivorous species, especially, were
+intended to act as nature's police, to prevent a too great increase of the
+herbivorous races, which are rendered excessively fruitful to keep the
+world full. If, then, a carnivorous species become extinct, the species on
+which it has fed will so multiply as to prove great nuisances, and to
+produce wide disorder among many species, not only of animals, but of
+plants. And often has man, in this way, by the extermination of species,
+in particular districts, unwittingly brought a powerful reaction on
+himself.
+
+On the Island of New Zealand, within one or two hundred years past, eight
+or ten species of gigantic birds--the dinornis and palapteryx--have become
+extinct, probably through the persecution of man. The natives, without
+doubt, hunted them down for food, until all disappeared: and as no
+quadruped of much size inhabits the island, we think there is no little
+plausibility in the suggestion of Professor Owen, that when the birds were
+all gone, or nearly gone, the natives were tempted to the practice of
+cannibalism, as the only means of gratifying their passion for meat. What
+a terrible retribution for disturbing the equilibrium of organic nature!
+
+The records of zoölogy and botany afford endless illustration of this
+subject. But the great truth which they all teach is, that so intimately
+are we related to other beings, that almost every action of ours reacts
+upon them for good or evil; for good, upon the whole, when we conform to
+the laws which God has established; and for evil, when by their violation
+we disturb the equilibrium of organized nature, and produce irregular
+action. In this latter case, we cannot tell where the disturbance, thus
+introduced, will end; for it is not a periodical oscillation, like the
+perturbations of the heavenly bodies, nor a mere change of position and
+intensity by mechanical forces.
+
+But does not this law of mutual influence between organic beings extend to
+other worlds? Why should it not be transmitted by means of the
+luminiferous ether to the limits of the universe? Who knows but a blow
+struck upon a single link of organic beings here may be felt through the
+whole circle of animate existence in all worlds? That is a narrow view of
+God's work, which isolates the organic races on this globe from the rest
+of the universe. The more philosophical view throws the golden chain of
+influence around the whole animal creation, whether small or great, near
+or remote.
+
+Reverting to the reasoning which we employed in tracing out the extent of
+mechanical reaction, we shall see that organic reaction may extend not
+only to other worlds, but also into eternity. For if the matter of the
+universe is to survive the conflagration of the last day, the future
+economy of life must have some connection with the present, whether this
+earth or some other part of the universe be the theatre of its
+development.
+
+I speak here not of moral influences, which we know will pass over from
+time into eternity, but of a physical reaction, which may also reach
+beyond the same gulf. For at least a part of those creatures, who in this
+world have felt the modifying power of other beings, will survive the
+world's final catastrophe, and occupy material, though spiritual bodies,
+whose germ is represented as derived from their bodies on earth. We have
+reason, then, to suppose some connection and modifying influence between
+them. And we might show, also, that moral causes, which so affect the
+physical character here, may exert a like power in eternity. But time will
+not permit the argument to be followed out.
+
+The conclusion, then, from this argument also, is, that probably every
+action of ours on earth modifies the condition and destiny of every other
+created being in this and other worlds through time and eternity. What
+though human experience, dependent on the bluntness of mortal
+sensibilities, cannot demonstrate such an influence? Shall the gross
+perceptions of this disordered world be made the standard of all that
+exists? Rather let us listen to the suggestions of science, which tell us
+of the possibility of senses far more acute in other worlds, and in a
+future state of being--senses that can trace out and feel the vibrations
+of the delicate web of organic influence that binds together the great and
+the small, the past, the present, and the future, throughout the universe.
+
+_My seventh argument in support of the general principle depends upon
+mental reaction._
+
+Mental reaction operates in two ways--indirectly and directly; indirectly
+through matter, directly by the influence of mind upon mind, without an
+intervening medium. When describing electric reactions, I have shown how
+our thoughts and volitions change the electric, chemical, and even
+mechanical condition of the body, and, through these media, that of all
+the material universe; and I need not repeat that argument. But to modify
+the inanimate world through these agencies necessarily affects all other
+intellects, which are connected with matter; and since man in a future
+world is to assume a spiritual body, we may reasonably suppose that all
+created beings are in some way connected with matter; and, therefore, by
+means of materialism, through the subtile agencies that have been named,
+we may be sure that an influence goes out from every thought and volition
+of ours, and reaches every other intellect in the wide creation. I know
+not whether, in other worlds, their inhabitants possess sensibilities
+acute enough to be conscious of this influence; certainly, in this world,
+it is only to a limited extent that men are conscious of it. Yet we must
+admit that it exists and acts, or deny the demonstrated verities of
+science.
+
+But is there not evidence that mind sometimes acts directly upon other
+minds, without any gross, intervening media? It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether any created intellect operates, except in connection with some
+form of matter. Yet there are certain facts in the history of individuals
+in an abnormal state, which show that one mind acts upon another,
+independent of the senses, or any other material means or
+intercommunication discoverable by the senses. Take the details of
+sleep-waking, or somnambulism; and do not they present us with numerous
+cases in which impressions are made by one mind upon another, even when
+separated beyond the sphere of the senses? Take the facts respecting
+double consciousness, and those where the power was possessed of reading
+the thoughts, of others, or the facts relating to prevision; and surely
+they cannot be explained but by the supposition of a direct influence of
+one mind upon another.
+
+Still more decided in this respect are the most familiar facts of
+artificial somnambulism, called mesmerism. Whatever may be our views of
+this unsettled branch of knowledge as a whole, it would seem as if we
+could not doubt that its facts prove the action of mind upon mind,
+independently of bodily organization, without rejecting evidence which
+would prove any thing else.
+
+Now, if we admit that mind does operate upon other minds while we are in
+the body, independent of the body, can we tell how far the influence
+extends? If electricity, or some other subtile agent, be essential to this
+action, it would indeed transfer this example to electric reaction, but it
+would still be real. Yet, in the absence of all certain proof of the
+electric power in this case, and with certain proof of the existence of
+such an influence, we may place it among those marvellous means by which
+man makes an impression, wide beyond our present knowledge, upon the
+universe, material and mental; and it ought to make us feel that our
+lightest thoughts and feeblest volitions may reach the outer limit of
+intellectual life, and its consequences meet us in distant worlds, and far
+down the track of eternity.
+
+_Finally. I derive an argument in support of the general principle from
+geological reaction._
+
+By this expression, I mean those reactions of whose existence geology
+furnishes the proof. They are, in fact, the reactions already considered;
+but geology proves that they have actually operated in past time in many
+instances, by evidence registered on the rocks, and thus tends to confirm
+our reasoning derived from other sources. I do not mean that the proof is
+before us of precisely such an action as our reasoning has supposed, but
+so analogous to that supposed as to lend it confirmation. A few examples
+will illustrate the argument.
+
+The effects of mechanical reaction are, perhaps, most frequent and
+striking in the rocks, especially those deposited from water. Here we
+have, for instance, the _ripple marks_, which present us with a faithful
+register of the slightest movement of the waters, and also of the motions
+of the atmosphere, or of the currents in it, that agitated the waters. In
+the almost impalpable powder that sometimes constitutes the rocks, we can
+trace the slightest erosion and comminution of the strata from which the
+deposit was worn. In the petrified rain drops we find an indelible trace
+of the most gentle shower. And here, too, we can see the direction of the
+wind. Such facts, also, imply the operation of electricity and gravity, of
+heat and cold, collecting and condensing the rain, and bringing it down;
+and so similar to present meteorological phenomena do these ancient
+showers appear to have been, that we may conclude that electrical
+reactions, in all respects, were the same as at present.
+
+The preservation of the tracks of numerous animals in some of the
+sandstones shows us how deep and permanent an impression the most trivial
+action of a living being may make. In these footmarks we sometimes notice
+a change in the direction of the animal along the surface; and, of course,
+an impression deeper or more shallow than usual, of parts of the foot, by
+the action of the muscles employed in changing the animal's course. Here,
+then, we have the register of so slight an action as an increased or
+diminished action of a particular muscle of the leg. Nay, further, such a
+movement affords us an infallible register of an act of the animal's will,
+since that must have preceded the change; and that implies an electric
+current, first inward along the sensor nerves, and then outward along the
+motor nerves.
+
+Geology lays open before us a map of the changes in organic nature from
+the apparent commencement of life on the globe, and thus enables us to see
+examples of this kind of reaction. We find different economies of life to
+have appeared, but all of them most wisely adapted to existing
+circumstances. In each economy we perceive the balance between the
+different tribes provided for. If, for instance, one race of carnivorous
+species died out, new races were created to occupy their place, so that
+the herbivorous species should not overrun the globe. Thus, when the early
+sauroid fishes diminished, the gigantic and carnivorous marine saurian
+reptiles were introduced. And when the chambered shells, whose occupants
+were carnivorous, disappeared with the secondary period, numerous univalve
+mollusks were created to feed on other animals; although previously that
+family were herbivorous. It would seem, however, as if each successive
+economy of organic life had contained within itself the seeds of
+extinction. It was, indeed, mainly a change of climate which first caused
+some species to disappear. But their destruction so disturbed the balance
+of creation that others followed, until total extinction was the result,
+which, however, was often hastened by catastrophes.
+
+Thus we have in the stony volume of the earth's history actual examples of
+effects resulting from the acts, and even volitions, of the inferior
+animals, which can never be erased while the rocks endure.
+
+If, therefore, with our imperfect senses, we can see these results so
+distinctly, we may safely infer that human conduct, and thought, and
+volition impress upon the globe, nay, upon the universe, marks which
+nothing can obliterate.
+
+The thoughts which press upon the mind, in view of such a conclusion, are
+numerous and interesting. A few we can hardly help noticing.
+
+_In the first place, what a centre of influence does man occupy!_
+
+It is just as if the universe were a tremulous mass of jelly which every
+movement of his made to vibrate from the centre to the circumference. It
+is as if the universe were one vast picture gallery, in some part of which
+the entire history of this world, and of each individual, is shown on
+canvas, sketched by countless artists, with unerring skill. It is as if
+each man had his foot upon the point where ten thousand telegraphic wires
+meet from every part of the universe, and he were able, with each
+volition, to send abroad an influence along these wires, so as to reach
+every created being in heaven and in earth. It is as if we had the more
+than Gorgon power of transmuting every object around us into forms
+beautiful or hideous, and of sending that transmuting process forward
+through time and through eternity. It is as if we were linked to every
+created being by a golden chain, and every pulsation of our heart or
+movement of our mind modified the pulsation of every other heart and the
+movements of every other intellect. Wonderful, wonderful is the position
+man occupies, and the part he acts! And yet it is not a dream, but the
+deliberate conclusion of true science.
+
+_Secondly. We see in this subject the probability that our minutest
+actions, and perhaps our thoughts, from day to day, are known throughout
+the universe._
+
+I speak not here of the divine omniscience, which we know reaches every
+thought and action; but I refer to created beings. Science shows us how,
+in a variety of modes, such knowledge may be conveyed to them by natural
+agencies; and we have only to suppose them to be possessed of far more
+acute sensibilities than man's, in order to be affected by these agencies
+as we are by more powerful impressions. And when we consider how fettered
+and depressed a condition this world obviously is in, because of its
+sinfulness, who will doubt but the unfallen beings of other spheres may
+enjoy those keener perceptions that will bring our whole history
+distinctly before them, day by day? The thought is, indeed, startling, but
+not unphilosophical.
+
+If this suggestion be true, then may we indulge the thought as highly
+probable that our friends, who have gone before us into the eternal world,
+may be as familiar with our conduct, our words, and even our thoughts, as
+we are ourselves. If we are acting as we ought, and so as will please
+them, this must be an animating idea; but if we are not, let it serve to
+stimulate us to our duty, if a sense of the divine omniscience is not
+sufficient.
+
+_We infer from this subject, thirdly, the probability that, in a future
+state, the power of reading the past history of the world, and of
+individuals, may be possessed by man._
+
+The nature of the future spiritual body, and of the heavenly state and
+employments, impresses the mind with the belief that it will be a
+condition far more exalted than the present, and that the inlets to the
+soul will be cleared of all obstructions; so that no impression made on
+such a sensorium shall fail to give the mind a distinct perception. In
+heaven, such extreme sensibility might become a source of richest
+pleasure; in the world of despair, an instrument of severe punishment; yet
+in both cases it might be the natural result of a man's earthly course.
+Now, such an indefinite exaltation of the perceptions in futurity scarcely
+any one will doubt. Why should we doubt any more that it may rise so high
+that man will be able to read, through the agencies we have pointed out,
+the minutest action and thought in human experience? If, as we have reason
+to suppose, angels can do it now, the Bible informs us that we shall be
+like the angels.
+
+If this view be admitted, then it may be that the present world is the
+only spot in the universe where deeds of wickedness can be concealed. In a
+sinful world we can see reasons why the power of concealment should exist
+to some extent. For though no man should do or think any thing which he is
+ashamed to have known, yet, if all the plans of men for the promotion of
+good objects were fully known from their inception, the wicked could
+generally defeat them. But in a world of perfect holiness no such
+necessity would exist, since the universal desire would be to promote
+every worthy object; and, therefore, it may be that every soul will lie
+perfectly open to the inspection of all other souls--an arrangement that
+seems appropriate to such a world.
+
+In what an aspect does this principle present the conduct of the suicide!
+Tired of earthly scenes, he rushes unbidden into eternity to escape them.
+But instead of escaping them, he goes where every one of these mortal
+evils--yea, and multiplied, too, a thousand fold--shall start up in his
+path with a distinctness of which he had no conception. And henceforth he
+can never find, as in this world, even a partial deliverance from their
+terrible vividness. It is as if, to avoid the moonlight, because too
+bright, a man should plunge into the sun.
+
+Again, if this principle be true, how annoying will it be, to the man who
+has not acted well his part in this world, to meet in eternity the
+ever-recurring mementoes of his evil deeds! He will hardly be able to open
+his eyes without seeing some plague-spot on creation as the result of his
+conduct; and although infinite wisdom and power have stayed the plague, no
+thanks are due to him. The tendencies of his conduct on earth will be
+most distressing to look upon; and these shall not cease to lie open
+before him till the last sand in the glass of eternity is run out.
+
+But, on the other hand, how does this principle strew the path of eternity
+with flowers to that man who, in this world, finds his highest pleasure in
+doing good! Not merely his highest and noblest deeds of benevolence here
+shall loom up in bright perspective there, but a thousand acts of private
+beneficence, unknown to the world and forgotten by himself, shall stand
+out distinctly on the moving panorama of that better world; and he will be
+amazed to see what a wide and blessed influence they have exerted, and
+will exert, as the catalytic influence moves on and widens in its endless
+march. It might have ruined him to see these fruits in this world, by
+exciting pride and vain glory; but it will awaken there only gratitude and
+love to the grace that enabled him thus, in time, to sow the seeds which
+should fill eternity with flowers, and fragrance, and golden fruit.
+
+_Finally. What new and astonishing avenues of knowledge_ does this subject
+show us will probably open upon the soul in eternity!
+
+I do not now speak of the new knowledge of the divine character which will
+then astonish and delight the soul by direct intuition, but rather of
+those new channels that will be thrown open, through which a knowledge of
+other worlds, and of other created beings, can be conveyed to the soul
+almost illimitably. And just consider what a field that will be. At
+present we know nothing of the inhabitants of other worlds, and it is only
+by analogy that we make their existence probable. Nor, with our present
+senses, could we learn any thing respecting them but by an actual visit to
+each world. But let the suggestions to which our reasonings have
+conducted us prove true,--let our sensorium be so modified and
+spiritualized that every thought, word, and action in those worlds shall
+come to us through pulsations falling upon the organ of vision, or by an
+electric current through the nerve of sensation, or by some transmitted
+chemical change,--and on what vantage ground should we be placed! Without
+leaving the spot of our residence, supposing the universe constituted as
+it now is, we might study out the character and constitution of the
+countless inhabitants of at least one hundred millions of worlds, which we
+know to exist; nay, of ten thousand times that number, which probably
+exist. Every movement of matter around us, however infinitesimal, would be
+freighted with new knowledge, perhaps from distant spheres. Every ray of
+light that met our gaze from the broad heavens above us would print an
+image upon our visual organs of events transpiring in distant worlds,
+while every electrical flash might convey some idea to our mind never
+before thought of. Every chemical ray, too, might inform us of scenes far
+off in the regions of night; and then who can calculate what organic and
+mental influences might be transmitted to us from beings of all ranks and
+scattered through all worlds? To speak of organs, indeed, as the medium of
+perceptions in another world, may be absurd; but we mean only, by that
+term, whatever may be substituted for our present organs; and we assume
+that the properties of matter will exist forever; and, therefore, we may
+presume that light, and electricity, and chemical affinity, and corporeal
+and mental influences will, under modified forms, be the modes by which
+knowledge shall ever be transmitted. At least, assuming that they will be,
+and the magnificent conceptions we have now traced out may be hereafter
+realized. And surely, if they be only slightly probable, the anticipation
+is full of thrilling interest, and the moral effect of dwelling upon it
+must be salutary. It spreads out before us fields of knowledge which
+eternity can never exhaust, and attractive so immeasurably above all the
+knowledge of earth that we almost wait impatiently for the summons to
+break from our prison-house below, and to rise on our new pinions to
+celestial scenes.
+
+If such rich means of knowledge of created things be enjoyed by celestial
+minds, and they can drink it in to the full measure of their faculties,
+then one inevitable effect must be to make them unite, ever and anon, in
+adoration and praise to the infinite Being who created and sustains all,
+and whose glory is illustrated by all his works. And we can conceive that
+there may be stated periods, when, from every part of the universe, the
+anthem of praise comes rolling onwards towards some central spot, where
+the divine presence is most felt. O, how gladly will each happy soul,
+animated by every new accession of knowledge, join in the swelling pæan as
+it mounts up to the third heavens! Who knows but this is the hour when the
+peal is beginning? O, let not this world be the only spot in the universe
+where it shall be unheard and unheeded. Surely we see enough of the divine
+glory here to begin the song, which we hope to pour forth in loftier notes
+on high, _unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God;
+to whom be honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen._
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XIII.
+
+THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH.
+
+
+It is interesting and instructive to trace the history of man's progress
+in the knowledge of the existence, character, and plans of Jehovah. We
+shall find that progress to have been marked by epochs, rather than
+continuous advancement. Some new revelation from heaven, or some new
+discovery in science, has given a sudden expansion to his views of the
+Deity, which have then remained in a good degree stationary for a long
+period. My chief object in this lecture is to show what accessions to our
+knowledge of the divine plans have been derived from science, especially
+from geology. But it will give greater distinctness and impressiveness to
+the subject to take a review of the principal steps by which the human
+mind has reached its present accurate spiritual and enlarged views of the
+Deity.
+
+_We will first look at man in the rudest condition in society, in which he
+has any idea of the existence of beings superior to himself._
+
+For there is a state of his being in which no such ideas exist in his
+mind; tribes of men, and especially individuals, who have lived in a wild
+state, away from all human intercourse, have been found with no idea of a
+superior being of any sort. Other tribes have existed a little more
+elevated above the irrational animals, and these have an impression,
+derived perhaps from their moral sense, or growing out of their
+superstitious fears, that some power exists in the universe greater than
+themselves. But having never entertained an abstract idea on any other
+subject, and depending alone upon their senses for their knowledge, they
+identify God with the most remarkable objects of nature. They listen to
+his voice in the wind and the thunder, in the ocean's roar, and the
+volcano's bellowing; and they see him in the sun, moon, and stars. They
+feel that he must be superior to themselves; but how much superior, they
+know not. They never think of him as infinite, because the idea of
+infinity on any subject never enters their mind. They conceive of the
+earth only as a plain of considerable extent, bounded by a circle, beyond
+which their thoughts never wander; and they look up to the heavens as a
+dome, perhaps solid, studded by luminous bodies, it may be a few feet or
+yards in diameter. They suppose that, somehow or other, this superior
+Being has the control of their destinies; but the idea of any thing like
+worship is too spiritual to be conceived of, except, perhaps, some
+superstitious rite, performed to deprecate the divine displeasure. In
+short, every thing in their notion of God is indefinite, gross, and
+confined to the narrow sphere of the senses.
+
+_In the second place, polytheism, especially among nations somewhat
+civilized, is an advance in man's conceptions of the Supreme Being._
+
+Polytheism probably originated in the deification of distinguished men.
+Superior minds, who had been the leaders or the benefactors of mankind,
+were suddenly torn from an admiring world by death. Their bodies were left
+behind, but the animating principle, the immortal mind, had vanished in a
+moment; and it was a most natural inquiry, even among the most ignorant,
+whether some undying principle had not escaped and gone to a higher
+sphere; for it would be difficult to conceive how so much intelligence
+and virtue should be quenched in a moment in eternal night. It would be a
+most natural and gratifying conclusion with survivors, that their departed
+leaders and benefactors still lived, and were in some way concerned in
+watching over their interests, and in controlling their destinies.
+Conjectures of this sort would, in a few generations, settle into positive
+belief. Now, this would be a most important advance upon the gross
+materialism, and indefinite ideas, which identified divinity with striking
+objects of nature; for if distinguished warriors and statesmen were still
+alive after their bodies were laid in the grave, there must have escaped,
+at the moment of death, some principle too subtile to be cognizable by the
+senses, or by chemical, mechanical, or electrical agencies; and which,
+therefore, may have been immaterial. At least, by such a belief, men would
+be led insensibly to form an idea of the human soul as an extremely
+tenuous, if not immaterial, principle. Especially would educated
+men--those devoted to philosophical pursuits--come at length to have a
+clear conception of a spiritual being, neither visible by the senses, nor
+dependent upon the senses for the exercise of its faculties. Very soon
+would the imagination fill the universe with such beings, and conceive
+them as holding intercourse with one another, and as presiding over all
+the objects of this lower world, and directing all its destinies. It would
+be very natural, however, to endow these superior beings with human
+characteristics, and to suppose them actuated by human passions; and thus
+would the celestial society be represented as a counterpart of that on
+earth, deformed by the same vices and crimes. This would lead to the idea
+of a gradation in rank, power, and intellect among the gods, and to the
+conception of one as supreme. In the popular mythology, however, even
+Jupiter was represented as acting under the influence of selfishness,
+pride, lust, and passion; and as sometimes brought into peril by his
+powerful inferiors. Some of the philosophers of Greece and Rome did,
+indeed, give descriptions of their supreme divinity not unworthy the
+biblical views of Jehovah. It may be that they got the clew to these just
+and elevated conceptions from the Bible. But it is not difficult to
+conceive that, in the manner which I have described, they might, by
+reasoning, with, perhaps, some hints derived from revelation, have
+gradually attained to these just and noble conceptions of the supreme
+divinity. Yet it ought not to be forgotten that these exalted views of the
+philosophers were not shared at all by the common people, and that even
+the philosophers themselves were for the most part polytheists.
+
+The next step in man's knowledge of God was an immeasurable advance upon
+polytheism. _I refer to the revelation which God made of himself to the
+Jews in the Old Testament._ Most of this revelation did, indeed, precede
+the writings of the Greek and Roman philosophers, but it was confined to a
+rude and almost unknown people, until the days of their glory had gone by,
+and did not spread over the globe till an opportunity had been afforded to
+prove that _the world by wisdom knew not God_. You may, indeed, find, in
+the writings of a few philosophers, passages descriptive of the natural
+attributes of the Deity that will compare favorably with those of the Old
+Testament. But his moral attributes, his benevolence, mercy, justice, and
+holiness, are brought out in the Old Testament in a far more distinct and
+impressive manner than in all other ancient writings. Another point, and a
+vital one, with the writers of the Old Testament, in which that inspired
+volume goes infinitely beyond the philosophers, is the unity of God. They
+teach, as a fundamental principle, and with all the earnestness which
+inspiration can bestow, not only that Jehovah is supreme, but that he is
+God alone, and that no other gods exist. You may, indeed, find statements
+to this effect in the works of the philosophers; but the conduct of
+Socrates, the most enlightened of them all,--in his dying moments,--in
+directing a sacrifice to be made to Æsculapius, is a good practical
+commentary upon their doctrine of the divine unity. It shows that, with
+some correct notions of the supreme divinity, they believed in the
+existence of inferior deities; or, at least, they did not regard the
+popular error on this subject of importance enough to require them boldly
+to testify against it. But such testimony constitutes the burden of the
+Old Testament, as if all other religious truths were of little importance
+without it. And so far as these inspired books succeeded in fixing this
+doctrine in the minds of the Jews, they performed an immense service for
+religion. They swept at once from the universe the thirty thousand
+divinities of Greece and Rome, and placed Jehovah only on the throne. But,
+for some reason or other, polytheism has always been a doctrine most
+congenial to human nature; especially to the uncultivated mind; and the
+probability is, that the great mass of the Jews, while they believed in
+the supremacy of Jehovah, still supposed that the gods of the heathen had
+a real existence. This certainly was the case before the Babylonish exile,
+though doubtless the patriarchs had more correct notions. This fact
+explains the otherwise unaccountable disposition of the Jews to fall away
+to idolatry, in spite of all which Jehovah did to preserve among them his
+true worship.
+
+On the subject, also, of the divine spirituality, we have evidence that
+the notions of the great mass of the Jewish nation were low and confused.
+They distinguished, it is true, very clearly between the body and the
+soul. But they probably conceived of the latter as a very subtile,
+invisible, corporeal essence, and not that pure, immaterial substance
+which is understood by that term in metaphysics. The abstract ideas
+attached to the soul in the nineteenth century probably never entered
+their minds; and though in strict language they might be called
+materialists, they were by no means such materialists as modern times have
+produced, who understandingly deny the existence of the soul, and regard
+it as a function of the brain. The Jews thought of God as the most subtile
+essence of which they could form any idea; but whether he were material,
+or immaterial, probably they never inquired. And it cannot escape the
+notice of a reader of the Old Testament how frequently God is represented
+by figures derived from material objects. This was in accommodation to the
+rude and uncultivated state of most minds in those early days. Purely
+abstract truths would have conveyed no ideas to minds which had never been
+accustomed to abstractions. Hence it is, that we meet in the Bible with so
+many descriptions of the Deity, which theologians and philosophers
+denominate _anthropopathic_ and _anthropomorphic_. It was in accommodation
+to the uncultivated state of common minds, which could form no conceptions
+of God that were not founded on some property belonging to man. The
+language of the sacred writers does, indeed, when correctly interpreted,
+convey the idea of the most perfectly simple, spiritual, and immaterial
+substance as constituting the divine essence; and minds accustomed to
+abstract ideas find no difficulty in enucleating the spiritual meaning of
+Scripture. But had the divine Being been described by abstract terms, the
+great mass of men, even at the present day, would receive no impressive
+conception of the Godhead. God, therefore, in the Old Testament, revealed
+as much concerning himself and his plans, as men would understand. But
+other revelations and developments would follow, when the human mind
+should be prepared to receive and appreciate them.
+
+_The revelations of Christianity have brought to light so much respecting
+the moral character and moral government of Jehovah, as to leave little
+further to be desired or expected in this world._
+
+The natural attributes of the Deity have a more spiritual and less
+anthropopathic aspect in the New Testament than in the Old. We are told in
+the former distinctly, that _God is a spirit, and those who worship him
+must worship him in spirit and in truth_. But God's moral character, as
+developed in the New Testament, in the plan of redemption and salvation,
+presents us with a perfection and a glory unknown in all previous
+revelations. We have, it is true, in the Old Testament intimations and
+predictions of the plan, which is fully developed and exemplified in the
+new dispensation. But these were only shadows of Jesus Christ and him
+crucified. When he appeared, and by his sufferings, as a substitute for
+man, reconciled divine justice and mercy, and made a clear exposition of
+the moral law, and a disclosure of a future state of retributions, a flood
+of light was thrown upon God's moral character. Every cloud that had
+rested upon it was cleared away, and immaculate holiness covered it with
+unapproachable splendor. In short, the human mind is incapable of forming
+a more correct estimate of moral excellence than is exhibited in the
+scriptural plan of salvation. The more it is meditated upon, and the more
+we experience its practical influence, the higher will be our conceptions
+of the moral glory of the divine character; nor have we reason to suppose
+that any further revelations would increase our apprehensions of it. For
+benevolence, mercy, justice, and grace are here exhibited in unlimited,
+that is, in infinite, glory and perfection, and therefore can never be
+exceeded.
+
+But though the exhibitions of the divine character and plans contained in
+the Bible are thus perfect and excellent, they are not the only
+exhibitions which the universe contains, and which man is capable of
+understanding. _Lo, these are a part of his ways._ The Bible has left the
+wonders of the natural world where it found them, to be examined and
+developed by philosophy. Some have thought that it has anticipated a few
+scientific discoveries; but if it had done this in one instance, it must
+have carried the same plan through the whole circle of science; else how
+could readers determine when the sacred writers were describing phenomena
+according to appearances and general belief, and when according to real
+scientific truth? But the fact is, scientific discoveries are left to
+man's ingenuity; and as they are made from time to time, they bring out
+new and splendid illustrations of the character and plans of Jehovah. Let
+us now recur to some of these discoveries, that have opened the widest
+vistas into the arcana of nature.
+
+_The discoveries in modern astronomy constitute the fifth step in man's
+knowledge of God._
+
+In order to see how much man's conceptions of the universe have been
+enlarged by these discoveries, compare the opinions which prevailed before
+the introduction of the Copernican system with what is now certain
+knowledge, founded upon physico-mathematics, respecting the extent of the
+universe. Then this earth was thought to be the centre and the principal
+body of the creation, immovably fixed, with the heavenly bodies, generally
+thought to be of diminutive size, revolving around it every twenty-four
+hours. The earth, too, except in the opinion of a few sagacious
+philosophers, was not imagined to be that vast globe which we now
+understand it to be, but a flat surface, perhaps a few hundred or
+thousand miles in extent, bounded by a circle, and resting on an imaginary
+foundation. The heavenly bodies were looked upon as little more than
+shining points, or at most a few yards, or by the most daring fancies a
+few miles, in extent. What a change have the telescope, the quadrant, and
+the transit instrument, aided by profound mathematics, and the talismanic
+power of the Newtonian theory of gravitation, produced! Every schoolboy
+now knows that this globe, enormous though it be compared with what the
+eye can take in from the loftiest eminence, is but a mere speck in
+creation, and, with the exception of the moon, appearing from other worlds
+only as one of the smallest stars in their heavens; so small that its
+extinction would not be noticed. To the ignorant mind, distances and
+magnitudes exceeding a hundred miles are conceived of only with great
+difficulty. But the astronomer, when he conceives of magnitudes, must make
+a thousand miles his shortest unit, and a million of miles when he
+conceives of distances in the solar system. And when he attempts to go
+beyond the sun and the planets, the shortest division on his measuring
+line must be the diameter of the earth's orbit; and even then he will be
+borne onward so far, not on the wings of imagination, but of mathematics,
+that this enormous distance has vanished to a point. Even then he has only
+reached the nearest fixed star, and, of course, has only just entered upon
+the outer limit of creation. He must prepare himself for a still loftier
+flight. He must give up the diameter of the earth's orbit as the unit of
+his measurements, because too short, and take as his standard the passage
+of light, at the rate of two hundred thousand miles per second. With that
+speed can he go on, until his mind has reckoned up six thousand years of
+seconds, and he will reach fixed stars whose light has not yet arrived at
+the earth, because it did not commence its journey till the time of man's
+creation.
+
+But it is not merely in respect to distance and magnitude that astronomy
+has enlarged our knowledge of the universe. Numerically it has opened a
+field equally wide. Think of two thousand worlds rolling nightly around
+us, visible to the naked eye. Take the telescope, and see those two
+thousand multiply to fifty or one hundred millions, and then recollect how
+very improbable it is that the keenest optics of earth can reach more than
+an infinitesimal part of creation. Surely the mind is as much confounded
+and lost, when it attempts to conceive of the number of the worlds in the
+universe, as when it contemplates their distances and magnitudes. In
+respect to number and distance, at least, we find no resting-place but in
+infinity.
+
+Now, when we turn our thoughts to the Author of such a universe, our
+conceptions of his power, wisdom, and benevolence cannot but enlarge in
+the same ratio as our views of his works. They must, therefore, experience
+a prodigious expansion. And, indeed, the merest child in a Christian land,
+in the nineteenth century, has a far wider and nobler conception of the
+perfections of Jehovah than the wisest philosopher who lived before
+astronomy had gone forth on her circumnavigation of the universe. From the
+fact, also, which astronomy discloses, that worlds are in widely different
+chemical and geological conditions, some gaseous and transparent, some
+solid and opaque, and some liquid and incandescent, the mind can hardly
+avoid the inference that they are fulfilling the vast and varied plans of
+Jehovah.
+
+_The sixth step in man's knowledge of Jehovah has been made by the
+microscope._
+
+To give any correct idea of the boundless field which that instrument has
+opened into the infinitesimal parts of creation, it would be necessary to
+go into details too extended for the present occasion. Perhaps the
+animalcula or infusoria furnish the best example. "In the clearest
+waters," says an able writer, "and also in the strongly-troubled acid and
+salt fluids of the various zones of the earth; in springs, rivers, lakes,
+and seas; in the internal moisture of living plants and animal bodies; and
+probably, at times, carried about in the vapor and dust of the whole
+atmosphere of the earth, exists a world, by the common senses of mankind
+unperceived, of very minute living beings, which have been called, for the
+last seventy years, _infusoria_. In the ordinary pursuits of life, this
+mysterious and infinite kingdom of living creatures is passed by without
+our knowledge of, or interest in, its wonders. But to the quiet observer
+how astonishing do these become, when he brings to his aid those optical
+powers by which his faculty of vision is so much strengthened! In every
+drop of dirty, stagnant water, we are generally, if not always, able to
+perceive, by means of the microscope, moving bodies, of from one eleven
+hundred and fiftieth to one twenty-five thousandth of an inch in diameter,
+and which often lie packed so closely together that the space between each
+individual scarcely equals that of their diameter."--Prichard, _History of
+Infusoria_, p. 2, 1841.
+
+Again says he, "It is hardly conceivable that, within the narrow space,
+[of a grain of mustard-seed,] eight millions of living, active creatures
+can exist, all richly endowed with the organs and faculties of animal
+life. Such, however, is the astonishing fact."--_Ib._ p. 3.
+
+In short, whoever will thoroughly study this subject will be satisfied
+that Dr. Ehrenberg does not exceed the truth when he asserts, as the
+result of his inquiries, that "experience shows an unfathomableness of
+organic creations, when attention is directed to the smallest space, as it
+does of stars, when revealing the most immense."--_Prichard_, p. 8.
+
+He who follows out the revelations of the telescope, as it penetrates
+deeper and deeper into space, will feel, when he has seen the remotest
+object which its power discloses, that there must certainly be a vast
+unknown region beyond, infinitely exceeding that one over which he has
+passed. Just so is it with the microscope. It penetrates to an astonishing
+distance into the infinitesimal forms of organic and inorganic matter; but
+every improvement in the instrument reaches a new and equally interesting
+field; and the conclusion forces itself upon the mind that there are
+regions beyond of indefinite extent, teeming with countless millions even
+of organic beings, of a size much more diminutive than those yet
+discovered, and with inorganic forms too minute for the imagination to
+conceive. Indeed, we can no more set limits to creation in the direction
+pointed out by the microscope than in that laid open by the telescope. We
+hence get a most impressive conception of divine wisdom and benevolence,
+which could thus bestow exquisite organization and life upon atoms minute
+beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. Indeed, it seems to me
+that the lesson is even more striking than the contemplation of vast
+worlds in rapid and harmonious motion; because the latter seem to demand
+only infinite power, but the former requires infinite wisdom to direct
+infinite power.
+
+_In the seventh and last place, geology has given great enlargement to our
+knowledge of the divine plans and operations in the universe, and in the
+following particulars_:--
+
+1. It expands our ideas of the time in which the material universe has
+been in existence as much as astronomy does in regard to its extent.
+
+To those not familiar with the details of geology, this will probably seem
+a startling and extravagant assertion. There has been, and still is, an
+extreme sensitiveness in the minds of intelligent men on this subject. And
+I highly respect the ground from which their apprehensions spring, viz., a
+fear that to admit the great antiquity of the globe would bring discredit
+upon revelation. And yet I believe the most candid and able theologians of
+the present day do not fear that to admit the existence of the matter of
+the world previous to the six days' work of creation, is inconsistent with
+the Mosaic statement. But if we allow any period between its creation and
+the six demiurgic days, it is no more derogatory to Scripture to make that
+period ten millions of years than ten years. For if the sacred writer
+would pass over ten years in silence, he could, with the same propriety,
+pass over ten millions. Now, the longer I study geology, the nearer do my
+ideas approximate to the latter number as a measure of the earth's
+duration. Let us contemplate a few facts. We are able to trace the
+geological changes that have taken place on the earth since man's
+existence upon it with a good deal of accuracy. For since his remains are
+found only in alluvium, we must regard all changes that took place
+previous to the deposition of that formation to have been of an earlier
+date than his creation. Now, what are the changes which the last six
+thousand years have witnessed? In some places, the agency of rivers and
+other causes have made an accumulation of alluvial matter to the depth of
+not more than one or two hundred feet, although in particular places it is
+several hundred feet. These deposits have been pushed forward at the
+mouths of some large rivers, so as to cover hundreds, and even thousands,
+of square miles. Oceanic currents have also made deposits in the bottom of
+wide seas of considerable extent; and in some limited spots these
+deposits have been consolidated into rock. The action of frost and
+gravity, also, has crumbled from precipitous ledges angular fragments
+enough to form a slope of detritus sometimes a hundred feet high. The
+polyparia, or coral builders, have advanced their work only a few feet in
+thickness during this period, and soils have accumulated in some places
+about as much. Volcanic action has occasionally thrown up a new island
+from the ocean's bed; but only a few of them have been permanent. Some
+tracts of country, in no case more than a few hundred miles in extent,
+have, by the same agency, been raised a few feet, or sunk down the same
+amount. But after all, the earth's surface remains essentially the same as
+when man was placed upon it.
+
+Now, compare these slight changes with those which have preceded it,
+through the operation of the same agencies, since the first existence of
+animals upon the globe. I will not contend, with some distinguished
+geologists, that these same changes have always operated with the same
+intensity as at present. But there are several circumstances which show
+that the depositions from water could not have been essentially different
+in ancient and modern times. Now, just compare six or eight miles in
+thickness of the fossiliferous deposits of the previous periods with the
+two hundred feet of alluvium accumulated during the historic period; and,
+after you have made all reasonable allowance for the greater intensity of
+action in former times, you will still find yourselves confounded by the
+incalculable time requisite to pile up such an immense thickness of
+materials, and then to harden most of them into stone; especially when you
+call to mind the numerous changes of organic life, and the vast amount of
+animal remains which they exhibit. A superficial observer might lump such
+a work, and crowd it into a few thousand years. But the more its details
+are studied, the longer does the period appear that is requisite for its
+production. Each successive investigation discovers new evidence of
+changes in composition, or organic contents, or of vertical movements
+effected by extremely slow agencies, so as to make the whole work
+immeasurably long.
+
+But when we have gone back to the commencement of animal existence on the
+globe, we have taken but one step in our review of its early history. The
+next backward step embraces that wide period during which the stratified,
+non-fossiliferous rocks--far thicker than the fossiliferous--were
+deposited; probably by the agency of fire and water. Or if we adopt the
+metamorphic theory of Mr. Lyell, we shall be still more deeply impressed
+by the length of that period, during which these rocks were in a course of
+deposition, consolidation, and metamorphosis. For he supposes them
+originally deposited from water, just as mud, sand, and gravel now are
+accumulating in the ocean's bed, and to have enveloped organic beings, as
+similar materials now do. Next the whole were consolidated, so as to form
+the exact prototype of the existing fossiliferous rocks; and finally it
+underwent almost complete fusion, by the slow propagation of internal heat
+upwards, until all the organic contents were obliterated, and a
+crystalline structure was substituted. Nay, according to this theory,
+other systems of rocks, of an analogous character, may have preceded the
+present primary stratified ones, and have been at length entirely melted
+into the unstratified; so that we cannot say when organic life first began
+on the globe. But I will not press this theory, because most of the ablest
+geologists reject it, at least in its full extent. And we have a period
+long enough to confound the imagination, if we take the common view, which
+supposes the non-fossiliferous rocks to have been deposited from water,
+at a temperature too high to admit the existence of organic beings.
+
+We have now gone back to that point in the earth's history when a crust
+had begun to form over the shoreless ocean of melted matter, of which we
+have reason to suppose it was then composed. Shall we attempt to trace
+back that history any farther? The light does, indeed, grow dim, and the
+clew more and more uncertain, the farther we recede along the track of the
+earth's existence. Still there are some scattered rays that seem to recall
+to us a condition of the earth still earlier than that in which it
+constituted a molten globe. It may have been dissipated into vapor, like a
+comet, or a nebula; and subsequently, by the slow radiation of its heat,
+have been condensed into an opaque, though a melted, incandescent mass.
+Several analogies certainly throw an air of plausibility over this
+hypothesis. And if such was, indeed, the earliest condition of the earth,
+the time requisite to condense it into melted matter must have been longer
+than any other period of its history.
+
+Who, now, at all familiar with the dynamics of geological agencies, shall
+undertake to give an arithmetical expression to the periods that make up
+the world's entire history? Not only does the reasoning faculty fail to
+grasp the entire sum, but even imagination, as she flies backwards through
+period after period, tires in the effort, and brings back not even a
+conjectural result. The same feeling does, in fact, come over the mind,
+which she experiences when astronomy has hurried her from world to world,
+from sun to sun, from system to system, from nebula to nebula, and yet she
+seems no nearer to the limits of creation than when she started. We know
+certainly that there are limits; because matter cannot be infinite. But we
+cannot conjecture where they are fixed. We know, also that there was a
+time when this world did not exist, an epoch when its entire mass was
+spoken into existence by the fiat of Jehovah; because the Bible expressly
+declares it. But that epoch is unrevealed. If there is any truth in
+geology, it was certainly more than six thousand years ago. Nay, that
+science carries us as far back into the arcana of time as astronomy does
+into the arcana of space. Neither the distance in the one case, nor the
+duration in the other, can be estimated. But there is a sublime
+inspiration in the effort to grasp the subject; and I see not why there is
+not as much grandeur and high gratification in the idea of vast duration
+as of vast expansion. And I see not why we do not gain as much enlargement
+of our conceptions of the plans of Jehovah respecting the universe in the
+one case as in the other. We cannot but infer, from the pre-Adamic state
+of our world, that it must have subserved other purposes than to sustain
+its present inhabitants.
+
+2. In the second place, geology gives us impressive examples of the extent
+of organic life on the globe since its creation.
+
+I shall not contend, with some geologists, that even the primary
+crystalline rocks may once have been filled with organic remains, which
+have been obliterated by heat; and that, in this way, there may have been
+a number of creations of organized beings on the globe, of which no trace
+now remains. I take as the basis of my argument only the relics of animals
+and plants actually found in the rocks. And when one sees mountain masses,
+often of small shells, and spread over wide areas, he is amazed to learn
+how prolific nature has been. What a countless number of vegetables, too,
+must have been required to produce beds of coal from one to fifty feet
+thick, and extending over thousands of square miles, and alternating
+several times with sandstone in the same basin! There is reason to
+believe, too, that the number of animals preserved in the strata bears
+only a small proportion to those which have been utterly destroyed and
+decomposed into their original elements. For example, in the sandstone
+along Connecticut River, the tracks of more than forty species of bipeds
+and quadrupeds have been found most distinctly marked. Some of these
+bipeds must have been of colossal size--as much as twelve or fifteen feet
+in height. And yet scarcely any other vestige of their existence has been
+discovered. They were the giant rulers of that valley for centuries; but
+they have all vanished. How numerous, then, may have been the softer
+animals of the ancient world, which have not left even a footmark to
+certify their existence to coming generations!
+
+But the facts recently brought to light respecting infusoria and
+polythalamia fill us with the greatest admiration of the extent of organic
+life upon the globe. We have already seen that some of these animals are
+so minute that eight millions of them are found in a space not larger than
+a mustard-seed; and yet they had skeletons of silex, lime, and iron; and,
+of course, these skeletons have been preserved; and, though of the
+smallest size, it requires not less than forty-one billions to make a
+single cubic inch; yet deposits of them, or of species not much larger,
+occur, several feet in thickness, and extending over several square miles.
+Nay, the chalk of Northern Europe, and also of Western Asia, where it
+constitutes most of Mount Lebanon, and extends southerly through Palestine
+into Arabia and Egypt, and also deposits in North and South America,
+thousands of miles in extent,--this rock, I say, is nearly half composed
+of microscopic shells. The oölite, also, contains them; and, indeed,
+infusorial remains occur in flint and opal; and, as instruments and
+observations are perfected, more and more of the solid rocks are found to
+have once constituted the framework of animals. It is hardly to be doubted
+that such was the fact with nearly all the limestone on the globe,
+occupying at least a seventh part of its surface. In fact, we seem fast
+coming to regard as sober truth the ancient adage, apparently so
+extravagant--_Omnis calx e vermibus; omne ferrum e vermibus; omnis silex e
+vermibus._ Indeed, it is the opinion of so competent a geologist as Dr.
+Mantell that "probably there is not an atom of the solid materials of the
+globe which has not passed through the complex and wonderful laboratory of
+life."--_Wond. of Geology_, vol. ii. p. 670.--What a vast field here opens
+before us to contemplate the far-reaching plans, the benevolence, and the
+wisdom of the Deity!
+
+In the third place, geology shows us that the present system of organic
+life on the globe is but one link of a series, extending very far backward
+and infinitely forward.
+
+Revelation describes only the existing species, leaving to science the
+task and the privilege to lift up the veil that hangs over the past, and
+to disclose other economies that have passed away. How many of them have
+existed we do not certainly know. If, with Agassiz, we characterize them
+by their predominant tribes, we might say that all the period previous to
+the new red sandstone constituted the reign of fishes; from thence to the
+chalk, the reign of reptiles; from thence to the drift, the reign of
+mammifera. But this is a less philosophical view than that of Deshayes,
+who finds five great groups of animals, specifically independent of one
+another. But who will attempt to fix the chronological limits of these
+systems? We can only say that they must have been exceedingly long, if we
+can place any dependence upon existing analogies; and we know that each
+one of them is made up of numerous subdivisions, or minor groups, widely,
+though not entirely, different in composition and organic contents. We
+know that the more we examine the whole series, the deeper does our
+conviction become that its commencement runs back far, very far, into the
+depths of past eternity. We know, also, from the joint testimony of
+Scripture and geology, that another change is to pass over the world, to
+prepare it for inhabitants far more elevated than those now living upon
+it, and in possession of perfect holiness and perfect happiness. And it
+may be it will experience far greater changes, adapting it for higher and
+higher grades of being, through periods of duration to which we can assign
+no limits. O, what a vast chain of being is here spread out before the
+imagination, reaching immeasurably far into the depths of the eternity
+which is past, and into the eternity which is to come! What a field for
+the display of God's infinite perfections! What a vista does it open to us
+into the vast plans and purposes of Jehovah!
+
+In the fourth place, geology reveals to us a curious series of
+improvements in the condition of worlds, as they pass through successive
+changes.
+
+If the earth began its existence in the state of vapor, we can hardly
+imagine it in that state capable of sustaining any organic natures, formed
+upon the general type of those now existing. Nor, when the vapor was
+condensed into a molten globe, could such natures inhabit it, till a crust
+had formed over its surface, and the heat had been so reduced as not to
+decompose animals and plants. Even then, the natures placed upon it must
+have been of a peculiar and low type of organization, capable of enduring
+the high temperature and catastrophes which would destroy those of more
+delicate and complicated organization. But gradually did the temperature
+diminish, while aqueous and atmospheric agencies were accumulating a
+deeper and a richer soil, so that the next change of inhabitants would
+allow natures of a higher organization and a denser population to occupy
+the surface. Their remains, buried in the earth, would increase the
+quantity of carbonate of lime in a form available for the use of animals
+and plants; that is, lime would gradually be eliminated, by plants and
+animals, from its more concealed combinations in the crystalline rocks,
+and be converted into carbonates, sulphates, and humates. A larger amount
+of organic matter would also be converted into humus. Now, limestone soils
+are of all others most favorable to vegetation, when there is a sufficient
+supply of organic matter. Hence every successive change becomes more and
+more adapted for animals and plants, because the lime and the organic
+matter in a state favorable for their support have been increasing; and
+the present state of the surface is more favorable than any conditions
+which have preceded it, and accordingly it is peopled with more perfect
+and more numerous organic natures. Can we doubt but that, if another
+change passes over the earth, this same great principle of progressive
+improvement will be manifested in the renovated world? I am not prepared
+to maintain, however, that this future change will be, like the past ones,
+an improvement as to soil and climate; for the change, as Scripture
+teaches, will be accomplished by fire; and so different will be the state
+of existence in the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, that we
+cannot say how far the present system of nature will be introduced. But
+that it will be an improved condition, we can hardly doubt, if we infer
+any thing from the splendid figures by which it is described in the Bible,
+and from the character of those who are to be its denizens.
+
+Some of the facts of modern astronomy impress us with the idea that this
+principle of progress may extend to other worlds. Some of these are in a
+gaseous state, some condensed into fiery liquid globes, some covered with
+a crust of solidified volcanic matter, and some surrounded by a liquid,
+like water. Do not these facts justify the supposition, that the changes
+which our earth has undergone are merely a single example of a great
+principle in God's government of the natural world? If so, it presents the
+divine wisdom in an interesting aspect. We see the Deity employing the
+same matter for different purposes. Instead of creating it for one single
+economy of organic beings, he seems to have made it the theatre for the
+display of his benevolence through successive periods; but at the same
+time not losing sight of the highest use he intended to make of it, by the
+introduction of rational and immortal natures upon it. Human wisdom would
+have pronounced this impossible; but divine wisdom, prompted by divine
+benevolence, could accomplish it.
+
+Finally, geology discloses to us chemical change as a great animating,
+controlling, and conservative principle of the material universe.
+
+When Newton brought to light the principle of gravitation, and showed how
+it controls and keeps in harmonious movement the heavenly bodies, he
+developed the great mechanical power by which the universe is governed.
+And this power was supposed for a long time to be superior to all others.
+But geology has brought out a second great controlling and conservative
+agency,--the chemical power,--"the second right hand of the Creator," as
+Dr. McCulloch expressively calls it. Suppose matter under the control of
+gravity, and let it be balanced by a centrifugal force. You have, indeed,
+harmonious motions among the celestial bodies, and, if no disturbing cause
+come in, you have endless motion. But until you introduce chemical
+agencies, every thing in the individual worlds would be compacted by
+gravity into one dead mass of matter, destined to no resurrection. But let
+chemical agencies leaven that mass, let affinity and cohesion commence
+their segregating processes, and constant motion and change would follow,
+with a thousand new and splendid forms. Especially when the Deity had
+infused the living principle into portions of that matter, and put
+chemistry, and her handmaid electricity, under the control of the vital
+power, would these worlds teem with animation, and countless exhibitions
+of beauty.
+
+And in all known worlds, these chemical changes are at work unceasingly.
+We know not whether those worlds are all inhabited, but we have evidence
+that all are undergoing the transmutations of chemistry; not on their
+surface merely, but in their deep interior. The consequence is, universal
+change; change often upon a vast scale; change extending through thousands
+and millions of years, and through the entire mass of immense worlds. We
+have glanced, in these lectures, at the most important of those changes
+which this world has undergone, and we have seen it to be almost
+universal. We have found that the entire crust of the globe, many miles in
+thickness, and probably to its centre, has been dissolved by heat, and
+much of it also by water; that a large part of it, at least, has, by the
+same chemistry, been made to constitute portions of the animal frame;
+that, even now, much of its interior is held in igneous solution, and that
+probably the time was when its entire mass was a molten, self-luminous
+world. Indeed, the conjecture is not without some foundation, which
+carries back this chemical action one step farther, and makes the world
+originally a diffused mass of nebula.
+
+At this point of the argument, geology appeals to astronomy, to show how
+widely this principle of chemical change has operated, and still operates,
+in the universe. We look first at the nebulæ; for here we probably find
+matter in its most chaotic and attenuated form, constituting
+self-luminous, diffused masses of vapor. In some of them, however, that
+matter has begun to condense, doubtless by the radiation of its heat. In
+the comets, we find probably similar matter, some of it still farther
+advanced in the process of condensation, so that perhaps a nearly solid
+nucleus may exist. In the sun and fixed stars, the condensation has gone
+on so far that cohesive attraction begins to operate, the latent heat of
+the vapor is extricated, and melted luminous worlds are the result. Around
+them, however, there probably still floats a wide atmosphere of the more
+elastic materials, which the heat dissipates, of which the zodiacal light,
+perhaps, furnishes us with an example. The nebulosity which surrounds the
+asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, and Astrea, renders it probable
+that, though they have advanced so far in the process of refrigeration as
+to become opaque, they may still retain heat enough to dissipate much of
+their substance. Still farther advanced towards the condition of a
+habitable world is the moon; and yet volcanic desolation covers its
+surface. Not improbably Jupiter is nearly surrounded with a fluid like
+water, and Saturn by a fluid lighter than water--being still farther
+advanced towards the condition of the earth.
+
+I acknowledge that these are but slight glimpses of the geology and
+chemistry of other worlds. And yet, taken in connection with the
+geological history of our own globe, do they not furnish us with some
+extremely probable examples of those changes to which our earth has been
+subject? They show us that worlds may exist in the form of vapor, and that
+some are actually at this time in the various conditions through which
+geology supposes this world to have passed. Do we not, in these examples,
+gather strong intimations of a great law of chemical change in the
+universe? Gaseous matter, so far as we know, appears to have been the
+earliest state of the universe; and then, by the agency of heat, it passes
+through the successive changes of liquid and solid, which have been
+described.
+
+The chemical changes that take place on the earth, under our immediate
+cognizance, through the agency of water, usually proceed, under favorable
+circumstances, in a cycle; that is, the substance, after passing through a
+series of changes, returns at length into the same condition from which it
+started. Thus aqueous vapor, by the loss of heat, is first converted into
+water, next into ice, and then, by the access of heat, into water again,
+and at last into vapor. The question naturally arises, whether those
+mutations, through which worlds are passing, may not form a similar cycle.
+We are able to trace them through several steps, from gaseous to liquid,
+and from the liquid to the solid; and we are assured, on the testimony of
+Scripture, that the next change of the earth will be from solid to liquid.
+And in those stars which in past ages have suddenly broken forth with
+remarkable splendor, and then disappeared, may we not have examples of
+other worlds burnt up,--not annihilated,--but deluged by fire, and either
+dissipated or again cooled? What changes, if any, will succeed the final
+conflagration of the globe, neither science nor revelation informs us.
+
+Yet, if the laws of nature respecting heat are not entirely altered, other
+changes must follow; and we have seen, in a former lecture, that those
+changes are perfectly consistent with our ideas of heaven, and that they
+may, in fact, enhance the happiness of heaven. They may go on forever; in
+which case, we can hardly doubt but they would form a cycle, though how
+wide the circuit we cannot conjecture; or they may, at least, reach an
+unchanging state. I confess, however, that the idea of perpetual change
+corresponds best with the analogies of the existing universe; and in
+eternity, as well as in time, it may form an essential element of
+happiness.
+
+In this world, too, this unceasing change, though it presents at first
+view a strong tendency to ruin, is, in fact, the grand conservative
+principle of material things. In a world of life and motion like ours, it
+is impossible that bodies, especially organic bodies, should not be
+sometimes subject to violent disarrangements and destruction from the
+mechanical agencies which exist; and were no chemical changes possible,
+ultimate and irremediable ruin must be the result. But the chemical
+powers, inherent in matter, soon bring forth new forms of beauty from the
+ruins; and, in fact, throughout all nature, the process of renovation
+usually counterbalances that of destruction; and thus far, indeed, the
+former has done more than this; for every time nature has changed her
+dress in past ages, she has put on more lovely robes, and a fresher
+countenance. Can we doubt that this same principle of change, operating,
+as it does, on a stupendous scale through the universe, is one of the
+great means of its preservation? It seems, indeed, paradoxical to say that
+instability is the basis of stability. But I see not why it is not
+literally true; and I can hardly doubt but this principle is superior to
+the laws of gravity--superior to every other law, in fact, for giving
+permanence and security to the universe.
+
+It is true that, in the case of man, connected as diminution and decay are
+with the curse denounced on sin, they assume, in his view, a melancholy
+aspect; and the perishable nature of all created things has ever been
+viewed by the sentimentalist with sad emotions.
+
+  "What does not fade? The tower that long had stood
+  The crush of thunder, and the warring winds,
+  Shook by the slow but sure destroyer Time,
+  Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base;
+  And flinty pyramids and walls of brass
+  Descend; the Babylonian spires are sunk;
+  Achaia, Rome, and Egypt moulder down.
+  Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones;
+  And tottering empires rush by their own weight.
+  This huge rotundity we tread grows old,
+  And all those worlds that roll around the sun.
+  The sun himself shall die, and ancient night
+  Again involve the desolate abyss."--_Akenside._
+
+If we turn now our thoughts away from man's dissolution, and think how
+speedily chemical power will raise nature out of her grave, in renovated
+and increased beauty, this universal tendency to decay puts on the aspect
+of a glorious transformation. We connect the changes around us with those
+which have taken place in the great bodies of the universe; we see them
+all to be but parts of a far-reaching plan of the Deity, by which the
+stability of the world is maintained, and its progressive improvement
+secured. When we look forward, fancy kindles at the developments of divine
+power, wisdom, and benevolence which will in this manner be made in the
+round of eternal ages. We see that what our ignorance had mistaken for a
+defect in nature is, in fact, a great conservative principle of the
+universe, which Newton did not discover because geology had not yet
+unfolded her record.
+
+Such are the developments of the divine character and plans unfolded to us
+by geology. Compare them now with the views which have hitherto
+prevailed. The common opinion has been, and still, indeed, is, that about
+six thousand years ago this earth, and, in fact, the whole material
+universe, were spoken into existence in a moment of time; and that, in a
+few thousand more, they will, by a similar fiat, be swept from existence,
+and be no more. On the other hand, geology places the time when the matter
+of the universe was created out of nothing at an epoch indefinitely but
+immensely remote. Since that epoch, this matter has passed through a
+multitude of changes, and been the seat of numerous systems of organic
+life, unlike one another, yet all linked together into one great system by
+a most perfect unity; each minor system being most beautifully adapted to
+its place in the great chain, and yet each successive link becoming more
+and more perfect. Nor does geology admit that any evidence exists of the
+future annihilation of the material universe; but rather of other changes,
+by which new and brighter displays of divine wisdom and benevolence shall
+be brought out, it may be in endless succession. Geology is not, indeed,
+insensible to the displays of the divine character which are exhibited on
+the present theatre of the world. Indeed, she distinctly recognizes the
+act which is now passing as the most perfect of all. Yet this scene of the
+great drama she regards as only one of the units of a similar series of
+changes that have gone by or will hereafter come; the chain stretching so
+far into the eternity that is past and the eternity that is to come, that
+the extremities are lost to mortal vision.
+
+Do any shrink back from these immense conclusions, because they so much
+surpass the views they have been accustomed to entertain respecting the
+beginning and the end of the material universe? But why should they be
+unwilling to have geology liberalize their minds as much in respect to
+duration as astronomy has done in respect to space? Perhaps it is a
+lingering fear that the geological views conflict with revelation. Such
+fears formerly kept back many from giving up their souls to the noble
+truths of astronomy. But they learnt, at length, that astronomy merely
+illustrates, and does not oppose, revelation. It showed men how to
+understand certain passages of sacred writ respecting the earth and
+heavenly bodies which they had before misinterpreted. Just so is it with
+geology. There is no collision between its statements and revelation. It
+only enables us more correctly to interpret some portions of the Bible;
+and then, when we have admitted the new interpretation, it brings a flood
+of light upon the plans and attributes of Jehovah. Geology, therefore,
+should be viewed, as it really is, the auxiliary both of natural and
+revealed religion. And when its religious relations are fully understood,
+theology, I doubt not, will be as anxious to cultivate its alliance as she
+has been fearful of it in days past.
+
+"Shall it any longer be said," remarks Dr. Buckland, "that a science which
+unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God, can
+reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient auxiliary
+and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be whom timidity, or
+prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its evidence; who
+are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the magnitude and extent, of
+the views which geology forces on their attention; and who would rather
+have kept closed the volume of witness which has been sealed up for ages
+beneath the surface of the earth than to impose on the student in natural
+theology the duty of studying its contents--a duty in which, for lack of
+experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or laborious task, but which,
+by those engaged in it, is found to be a rational, and righteous, and
+delightful exercise of the highest faculties in multiplying the evidence
+of the existence, and attributes, and providence of God. The alarm,
+however, which was excited by the novelty of its first discoveries, has
+well nigh passed away; and those to whom it has been permitted to be the
+humble instruments of their promulgation, and who have steadily
+persevered, under the firm conviction that 'truth can never be opposed to
+truth,' and that the works of God, when rightly understood, and viewed in
+their true relations, and from a right position, would at length be found
+to be in perfect accordance with his word, are now receiving their high
+reward in finding difficulties vanish, objections gradually withdrawn, and
+in seeing the evidences of geology admitted into the list of witnesses to
+the truth of the great fundamental doctrines of theology."--_Bridgewater
+Treatise_, vol. i. p. 593.
+
+Such, then, in conclusion of the subject, is the religion of geology. It
+has been described as a region divided between the barren mountains of
+scepticism and the putrid fens and quagmires of infidelity and atheism;
+producing only a gloomy and a poisonous vegetation; covered with fogs, and
+swept over by pestilential blasts. But this report was made by those who
+saw it at a distance. We have found it to be a land abounding in rich
+landscapes, warmed by a bright sun, blest with a balmy atmosphere, covered
+by noble forests and sweet flowers, with fruits savory and healthful. We
+have ascended its lofty mountains, and there have we been greeted with
+prospects of surpassing loveliness and overwhelming sublimity. In short,
+nowhere in the whole world of science do we find regions where more of the
+Deity is seen in his works. To him whose heart is warmed by true piety,
+and whose mind has broken the narrow shell of prejudice, and can grasp
+noble thoughts, these are delightful fields through which to wander. More
+and more they must become the favorite haunts of such hearts and such
+minds. For there do views open upon the soul, respecting the character and
+plans of the Deity, as large and refreshing as those which astronomy
+presents. Nay, in their practical bearing, these views are far more
+important. Mechanical philosophy introduces an unbending and unvarying law
+between the Creator and his works; but geology unveils his providential
+hand, cutting asunder that law at intervals, and planting the seeds of a
+new economy upon a renovated world. We thus seem to be brought into near
+communion with the infinite mind. We are prepared to listen to his voice
+when it speaks in revelation. We recognize his guiding and sustaining
+agency at every step of our pilgrimage. And we await in confident hope and
+joyful anticipation those sublime manifestations of his character and
+plans, and those higher enjoyments which will greet the pure soul in the
+round of eternal ages.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XIV.
+
+SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH.
+
+
+The connection between science and religion has ever been a subject of
+deep interest to enlightened and reflecting minds. Too often, however, up
+to the present time, has the theologian, on the one hand, looked with
+jealousy upon science, fearful that its influence was hurtful to the cause
+of true religion; while, on the other hand, the philosopher, in the pride
+of a sceptical spirit, has scorned an alliance between science and
+theology, and even fancied many a discrepancy. Both these opinions are
+erroneous; and disastrously have they operated, as well upon science as
+upon religion. The position which I take, and which I shall endeavor to
+maintain, is, that _scientific truth, rightly understood, is religious
+truth_.
+
+The proposition may be misunderstood at its first announcement, but I
+hope, ere its examination be finished, to satisfy you that it is true; and
+if so, that it ought to reconcile religion to science, and science to
+religion.
+
+In arriving at correct conclusions concerning this statement, much will
+depend on the meaning which we attach to the phrase _religious truth_.
+Religion is properly defined to be piety towards God. This piety implies
+two things: first, a correct knowledge of God; and secondly, the exercise
+of proper affections in view of that knowledge. The former constitutes the
+theoretic part of religion, and is investigated solely by the
+understanding. The latter constitutes the practical part of religion, and
+depends much upon the will, the heart, or the moral powers of man. All
+truth, therefore, which illustrates the divine character or government, or
+which tends to produce right affections towards God, is properly
+denominated religious truth. If, then, I can show that all scientific
+truth, rightly understood, has one or both of these effects, it will
+follow that it is strictly religious truth.
+
+Scientific truth is but another name for the laws of nature. And a law of
+nature is merely the uniform mode in which the Deity operates in the
+created universe. It follows, then, that science is only a history of the
+divine operations in matter and mind.
+
+In order to avoid mistake, we must make a distinction between the
+principles of science, and the application of those principles to the
+useful arts of life. The principles themselves are an illustration of the
+divine wisdom and benevolence, but their application to the arts
+illustrates the ingenuity and wisdom of man. At the most, therefore, the
+latter only indirectly and remotely exhibits the character of the Deity,
+while the former directly shows forth his perfections.
+
+I now proceed to establish my general proposition, by showing, in the
+first place, that _all scientific truth is adapted to prove the existence
+or to illustrate the perfections of the Deity_.
+
+After all that has been written on the subject of natural theology, by
+such men as Newintyt, Ray, Derham, Wollaston, Clarke, Butler, Tucker,
+Paley, Chalmers, Crombie, Brown, Brougham, Harris, M'Cosh, and the authors
+of the Bridgewater Treatises, I need not surely go into details to prove
+that science in general is a great storehouse of facts to illustrate the
+divine perfections and government. It is, indeed, a vast repository, from
+which materials have been drawn on which to build the argument for the
+divine existence and character. Efforts have been made, it is true, in
+modern times, to show that the whole argument from design is inconclusive.
+It is said, that though the operations of nature seem to show design and
+contrivance, they need no higher powers than those that exist in nature
+itself. They do not prove the existence of an independent personal agent,
+separate from the material world. Animals, and even plants, possess an
+inherent power of adapting themselves to circumstances; and may not a
+higher exercise of this same power explain all the operations of nature
+without any other Deity?
+
+This argument appears to me to be utterly set aside by the following
+considerations: In the first place, there is no power inherent in
+vegetable or animal natures which can properly be called the power of
+contrivance and design, except so far as it exists in their minds. All
+other examples show merely the operation of impulse, or instinct, and will
+not at all explain that wide-reaching contrivance and design which cause
+all the operations of nature to conspire to certain great results, and to
+constitute one, and only one, great system. In the second place, the
+operations of intellect furnish us with the only examples in nature of
+that kind of contrivance and design which must have arranged and adapted
+the parts of the universe. But in the third place, no intellect, within
+our knowledge, is capacious enough to have contrived and arranged the
+universe. Indeed, to the capacity of that mind which could have done this
+we can assign no limits, and, therefore, infer it to be infinite. In other
+words, we infer the existence of the Deity. In the fourth place, the whole
+force of this argument rests upon the supposed uniformity of nature. For
+no one imagines that there exists at present, in nature, any power of
+contrivance and design sufficient to work a miracle; in other words, to
+introduce new races of animals and plants. "Could this uniformity once be
+broken up," says an ingenious expositor of this atheistic argument, "could
+this rigid order be once infringed for a good and manifest reason, it
+would change the whole face of the argument. Could we see the sun stand
+still in heaven, that the wicked might be overthrown, then should we be
+assured of a personal power with a distinct will, whose agents and
+ministers these laws were. Such an event would be a miracle. But if such
+events have happened, they are not a part of nature; it is not nature that
+tells us of them, and it is only with her that we are at present
+concerned."--_President Hopkins, Quarterly Observer_, Oct. 1833, p. 309.
+
+Geology, however, does reveal to us miracles of stupendous, import,
+miracles of creation, which infinite power and wisdom alone could have
+produced. Hence, if the testimony of that science be admitted, this
+reasoning can no longer stand the test of examination, and it must be
+acknowledged that the argument for God's existence from design, which has
+ever been so satisfactory to every mind not clouded by metaphysics, is
+left standing on an immovable foundation.
+
+To return to the point from which we started: it is not necessary, I say,
+to go into a detailed examination of each particular science, and show how
+its principles prove and illustrate the being and attributes of the Deity,
+for the work has already been done more ably and thoroughly than I can do
+it, and admitted by all, save the few who reject the argument from design
+altogether. There are a few sciences, however, which have been hitherto
+chiefly passed by, because they were not supposed capable of throwing any
+light of consequence upon theology. Let us see whether these sciences are
+as barren of religious interest as has been supposed.
+
+Geology is a branch of knowledge, which, a few years ago, would have been
+at once selected as not only destitute of any important religious
+applications, but as of a positively injurious tendency; and even now,
+such is the feeling probably of a majority of the religious world. True,
+it touches religion, natural and revealed, at many points; but so novel
+and startling are its conclusions, that they are thought to unsettle more
+minds than they confirm. They fall in with many of the views of
+scepticism, and especially confirm its doubts concerning the age of the
+world, and compel the religious man to give up long-cherished opinions
+upon this point, and on other collateral subjects. But we have gone into a
+careful examination of the religious applications of this science, and
+have we not found it most fertile in its illustrations both of natural and
+revealed religion? Let us just recapitulate the conclusions at which we
+have arrived.
+
+In the first place, geology furnishes important illustrations of revealed
+religion. It confirms the statement that the present continents of our
+globe were once, and for an indefinite time, beneath the ocean, and that
+they were subsequently lifted above the waters by internal agencies. It
+agrees with revelation in making water and heat the two great agents of
+geological change upon and within the earth, and that the work of
+creation, after the production of matter, was progressive. It shows us
+equally with revelation, that the existing races of animals and plants on
+the globe were created at a comparatively recent epoch, and that man
+commenced his existence not more than six thousand years ago. It shows us,
+also, that the earth contains within itself the volcanic agency necessary
+for its future destruction by combustion, as described in the Bible.
+
+But, perhaps, the most important illustration of revealed truth, which
+geology affords, is the light which it casts upon certain passages of the
+Bible relating to the creation. As those texts which represent the earth
+as immovable, and the heavenly bodies as moving diurnally around it, were
+not rightly understood, until astronomy had discovered the true theory of
+the solar system, so those passages which relate to the period of the
+creation of the universe, the introduction of death into the world, and
+the extent and operation of the deluge, were misinterpreted till geology
+disclosed their true meaning. It is still customary, indeed, to speak of
+geology and revelation as in collision with each other on these subjects;
+but this is a false view of the case. Revelation is illustrated, not
+opposed, by geology. Who thinks, at this day, of any discrepancy between
+astronomy and revelation? And yet, two hundred years ago, the evidence of
+such discrepancy was far more striking than any which can now be offered
+to show geology at variance with the Scriptures. We ought, therefore, to
+look upon that science as illustrating, instead of opposing, the
+Scriptures.
+
+Having once admitted the conclusions of geology as to the great age of the
+world, and a flood of light is shed upon some of the most difficult points
+both of natural and revealed religion. It shows the occurrence of numerous
+changes on the globe which nothing but the power of God could have
+produced, and which in fact were most striking and stupendous miracles.
+Hence the arguments which have so long been employed to show that the
+world is eternal are rendered nugatory; for if we can point to epochs when
+entire races of animals and plants began to exist on the globe, we prove
+the agency of a Deity quite as strikingly as if we could show the moment
+when the matter of the world was summoned into existence out of nothing.
+In the same manner, also, we silence the argument against the giving of a
+revelation from heaven, as well as the miracles by which it is
+substantiated, on the ground that we have no example of a special
+interference with the established course of nature. Here we have
+interpositions long anterior to man's existence, as well as by his
+creation, which take away all improbability from those which are implied
+in a revelation. We hence likewise establish the doctrine of a special
+providence over the world--a doctrine proved with great difficulty by any
+other reasoning of natural theology.
+
+Still more abundant is the evidence derived from geology of the divine
+benevolence. And this evidence comes mostly from the operations and final
+effect of the most desolating agencies, heretofore regarded as a proof of
+malevolence, or, at least, of vindictive justice; and we may reasonably
+infer, that could we look through the whole system of divine government,
+we should find that all evil is only a necessary means of the greatest
+good.
+
+No one can examine existing nature without being convinced that all its
+parts and operations belong to one great system. Geology makes other
+economies of wide extent to pass before us, opening a vista indefinitely
+backward into the hoary past; and it is gratifying to witness that same
+unity of design pervading all preceding periods of the world's history,
+linking the whole into one mighty scheme, worthy its infinite Contriver.
+
+How much, also, does this science enlarge our conceptions of the plans and
+operations of Jehovah! We had been accustomed to limit our views of the
+creative agency of God to the few thousand years of man's existence, and
+to anticipate the destruction of the material universe in a few thousand
+years more. But geology makes the period of man's existence on the globe
+only one short link of a chain of revolutions which preceded his
+existence, and which reaches forward immeasurably far into the future. We
+see the same matter in the hands of infinite wisdom, and by means of the
+great conservative principle of chemical change, passing through a
+multitude of stupendous revolutions, sustaining countless and varied forms
+of organic life, and presenting an almost illimitable panorama of the
+plans of an infinite God.
+
+If such is the fruit which geology pours into the lap of religion, how
+misunderstood have been its principles! In many a mind there is still an
+anxious fear lest its discoveries should prove unfavorable to religion;
+and they would feel greatly relieved could they only be assured that no
+influence injurious to piety would emanate from that science. But we can
+give them far more than this assurance. We can draw from this science more
+to illustrate and confirm religion than from any other; and we believe
+that the history of the past justifies the general conclusion, that those
+sciences whose early developments excited most apprehensions of a
+collision with religion, have ultimately furnished the most abundant
+illustrations of its principles.
+
+Another science regarded as barren of religious applications, and even as
+sometimes positively injurious, is mathematics. Its principles are,
+indeed, of so abstruse a nature, that it is not easy to frame out of them
+a religious argument that is capable of popular illustration. But, in
+fact, mathematical laws form the basis of nearly all the operations of
+nature. They constitute, as it were, the very framework of the material
+world. When we look up to the heavenly bodies, we see them directed and
+controlled, along with the earth, by those laws, which vary not, by an
+iota, from century to century. The infinity of changes, which are going on
+in the constitution of bodies upon and within the earth, chemistry
+reduces to mathematical laws. So far as organic operations depend upon
+chemical changes,--and this is very far,--mathematics is the controlling
+power. I will not say, that life and intellect are in a strict sense under
+the guidance of mathematics; and yet I doubt not that their operations are
+limited and controlled by its principles. Confident am I that atmospheric
+changes, apparently quite as anomalous and irregular as the movements of
+the vital and intellectual principles, rest on mathematics as certainly as
+do the revolutions of the heavenly bodies.
+
+It seems, then, that this science forms the very foundation of all
+arguments for Theism, from the arrangements and operations of the material
+universe. We do, indeed, neglect the foundation, and point only to the
+superstructure, when we state these arguments. But suppose mathematical
+laws to be at once struck from existence, and what a hideous chaos would
+the universe present! What then would become of the marks of design and
+unity in nature, and of the Theist's argument for the being of a God?
+
+But mathematical principles furnish several interesting illustrations of
+truth, of no small importance. In a former lecture, we have seen how the
+doctrine of miracles stands forth completely vindicated by an appeal to
+mathematical laws; how, in fact, they might have formed a part of the
+original plan of the universe, when first it was conceived in the divine
+mind, and how their occurrence may be as much the result of a fixed law as
+the most common operations of nature; so that in this way all
+improbability of their occurrence, on the ground that nature is constant,
+is removed. These views are illustrated in that singular, yet original
+work of Professor Babbage, called the "Ninth Bridgewater Treatise," a work
+written, it is true, in part, under the influence of exasperated feelings,
+but yet full of original and ingenious suggestions. But these views have
+been so fully presented in the Lecture on Special and Miraculous
+Providence, and in that upon the Telegraphic System of the Universe, that
+they need not here be repeated.
+
+Mathematics, also, aids our conceptions of truths of religion difficult or
+impossible, from their nature, of being understood by finite beings. All
+the attributes of the Deity, being infinite, are of this description. But
+it seems to me that the contemplation of a mathematical series, either
+increasing or decreasing, gives us the strongest apprehension of infinity
+which we can attain. It puts into our hands a thread by which we can find
+our way, as far as our powers will carry us, towards infinity. True, after
+we have followed the series till the mind stops exhausted, we are no
+nearer infinity than when we started; yet we do get most deeply impressed
+with the unfathomableness of the abyss that separates the finite from the
+infinite.
+
+To many minds all statements of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity
+appear so absurd and contradictory as to be incapable of belief. Yet let
+it be stated to a man, for the first time, that two lines may approach
+each other forever without meeting, and it must appear equally absurd. But
+after you have demonstrated to him the properties of the hyperbola and its
+asymptote, the apparent absurdity vanishes. So, when the theologian has
+stated, that by the divine unity he means only a numerical unity,--in
+other words, that there is but one Supreme Being, and that the three
+persons of the Godhead are one in this sense, and three only in those
+respects not inconsistent with this unity,--every philosophical mind,
+whether it admits that the Scriptures teach this doctrine or not, must see
+that there is no absurdity or contradiction in it. And thus it may happen,
+that the solution of a man's difficulties on this subject may come from a
+proposition of conic sections, as in fact we know to have been the case.
+
+It is said, however, that mathematicians have been unusually prone to
+scepticism concerning religious truth. If it be so, it probably originates
+from the absurd attempt to apply mathematical reasoning to moral subjects;
+or, rather, the devotees of this science often become so attached to its
+demonstrations, that they will not admit any evidence of a less certain
+character. They do not realize the total difference between moral and
+mathematical reasonings, and absurdly endeavor to stretch religion on the
+Procrustean bed of mathematics. No wonder they become sceptics. But the
+fault is in themselves, not in this science, whose natural tendencies,
+upon a pure and exalted mind, are favorable to religion, because its
+principles illustrate religion.
+
+There are several other sciences, whose earlier developments were supposed
+for a time to be unfavorable to religion; and hence has originated a
+ground of apprehension respecting science generally. When the Copernican
+system of astronomy was introduced, it was thought impossible ever to
+reconcile it to the plain declarations of Scripture; and hence at least
+one venerable astronomer was obliged to recant that system upon his knees.
+Similar fears of collision between science and revelation were excited
+when chemistry announced that the main part of the earth has already been
+oxidized, and, therefore, could not hereafter be literally burnt. Because
+some physiologists have been materialists, it has been inferred that
+physiology was favorable to materialism. But it is now found that they
+were materialists in spite of physiology, rather than from a correct
+interpretation of its facts.
+
+Strong apprehensions have also been excited respecting phrenology and
+mesmerism. And, indeed, in their present aspect, these sciences are
+probably made to exert a more unfriendly influence upon vital religion
+than any other. Those who profess to understand and teach them have been,
+for the most part, decided opponents of special providence and special
+grace, and many of them materialists. But this is not because there are
+any special grounds for such opinions in phrenology or mesmerism. The
+latter branch, indeed, affords such decided proofs of immaterialism, as to
+have led several able materialists to change their views. Nor does
+phrenology afford any stronger proof that law governs the natural world,
+than do the other sciences. But when a man who is sceptical becomes deeply
+interested in any branch of knowledge, and fancies himself to be an oracle
+respecting it, he will torture its principles till they are made to give
+testimony in favor of his previous sceptical views, although, in fact, the
+tones are as unnatural as those of ventriloquism, and as deceptive. When
+true philosophy shall at length determine what are the genuine principles
+of phrenology and mesmerism, we can judge of their bearing upon religion;
+but the history of other sciences shows us that we need have no fears of
+any collision, when the whole subject is brought fairly into the daylight.
+
+Upon the whole, every part of science, which has been supposed, by the
+fears of friends or malice of foes, to conflict with religion, has been
+found, at length, when fully understood, to be in perfect harmony with its
+principles, and even to illustrate them. It is high time, therefore, for
+the friends of religion to cease fearing any injury to the cause of
+religion from science; and high time, also, for the enemies of religion to
+cease expecting any such collision.
+
+In conclusion of this argument, we may safely challenge any one to point
+out a single principle of science which does not in some way illustrate
+the perfections of the Deity; and if he cannot, scientific truth may be
+appropriately called religious truth, especially since such illustrations
+are the highest use to which science can be applied. It is no drawback on
+the argument because so few make this use of science, nor because some
+attempt to array science against religion; for this only shows how men may
+neglect the most important use to which science can be applied, or how
+they can pervert the richest gifts.
+
+I derive a second argument in support of the general position, that
+scientific truth is religious truth, from the fact that _it will survive
+the present world, and its examination become a part of the employments
+and enjoyments of heaven_.
+
+The Scriptures are, indeed, sparing in their details of the specific
+employments of the heavenly world, except so far as worship and praise are
+concerned. But that worship will undoubtedly be the spontaneous impulse of
+the heart, (as it is in this world when acceptable,) in view of some
+manifestations of the divine character. Accordingly, the first sentence of
+the future song of Moses and the Lamb, as the saints stand with the harps
+of God upon the sea of glass, is, _Great and marvellous are thy works,
+Lord God Almighty._ The works of God, then, will be studied in the future
+world; and what is that but the study of the sciences? It is, indeed, said
+by the apostle, that _whether there be tongues, they shall cease_, [that
+is, in a future world;] _whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
+away_; and hence it has sometimes been inferred that all the knowledge
+which we acquire in this world will disappear with this world. But this
+cannot be the meaning of the passage, for in a variety of places the Bible
+represents both the righteous and wicked in another world as conscious of
+what took place on earth; and, unless the nature of the mind be changed
+at death, it is not possible to conceive that the knowledge we acquire
+here should be lost. This passage may refer to one of those gifts of
+inspiration peculiar to apostolic times, called by the sacred writer _the
+word of knowledge_. But more probably he meant to teach that, so much
+brighter and clearer will be the disclosures of another world, that most
+of our present knowledge will be eclipsed and forgotten. But this does not
+imply that our future knowledge will be essentially different in nature
+from that which we acquire on earth. The grand difference is, that now _we
+see through a glass darkly, but then face to face_.
+
+We can, also, see why some branches of science cultivated on earth should
+be very much modified in a future world. There are several, for instance,
+dependent mainly upon the present organic constitution of nature; and of
+such branches only the general principles can survive the destruction of
+the existing framework of animals and plants. Take, for an example,
+anatomy and physiology. We believe, indeed, that the new earth, wherein
+dwelleth righteousness, will be material, and that the bodies of men will
+also be material. But even though these bodies should be organized, we
+learn from the Scriptures that this organization will be very different
+from our present bodies. _They_, says Christ, _who shall be accounted
+worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither
+marry nor are given in marriage, neither can they die any more; for they
+are equal unto the angels._ Paul's vivid description of the future
+spiritual body leaves the impression on the mind that it must be very
+dissimilar to our present bodies. He does not attempt to define the
+spiritual body, probably because we could not understand the definition,
+since it would be so unlike any thing on earth. He represents it as
+incorruptible, powerful, and glorious, entirely in contrast with our
+present bodies, and declares that it is not flesh and blood, and that it
+is not organized like our present bodies.
+
+It seems, then, that we have no certain evidence that the future spiritual
+body will be organized; and in a former lecture we have seen that it is
+not necessary to suppose it endowed with organs. If not, it is obvious
+that the sciences of anatomy and physiology can have no existence in a
+future world, except in the memory. On the other hand, however, there are
+some things in Paul's description of the future body that make it quite
+probable that its organization will be much more exquisite than any thing
+in existence on earth. He represents it as springing from our present
+bodies as a germ from a seed; and this would seem to imply organization;
+though we must not infer too much from a mere rhetorical similitude. But
+he also represents the spiritual body as far transcending the natural body
+in glory and in power; and, since the latter is fearfully and wonderfully
+made, we know of nothing but the most exquisite organization that can give
+the spiritual body such a superiority over the natural. Admitting that
+such will be its structure, and, although the nomenclature of anatomy and
+physiology, which is adapted to flesh and blood, shall pass away and be
+forgotten, yet analogous sciences shall be substituted, based on facts and
+principles far more interesting, and developing relations and harmonies
+far more beautiful. It may be thought, indeed, that, so different will be
+these sciences from any thing on earth, that there can be no common
+principles and no link of connection. But the longer a man studies the
+works of God, the more inclined will he be to regard the universe,
+material and immaterial, as founded on eternal principles; as, in fact, a
+transcript of the divine nature; and that all the changes in nature are
+only new developments of unchanging fundamental laws, not the introduction
+of new laws. Hence the philosopher would infer that in existing nature we
+have the prototype of new heavens and a new earth; and although a future
+condition of things may be as different from the present as the plant is
+from the seed out of which it springs, still, as the seed contains the
+embryo of a future plant, so the future world may, as it were, lie coiled
+up in the present. If in these suggestions there is any truth, there may
+be a germ in the anatomy and physiology of the present world, which shall
+survive the destruction of the present economy, and unfold, in far higher
+beauty and glory, in the more congenial climate of the new heavens and the
+new earth. If so, the great principles of these sciences which are
+acquired on earth, and which are so prolific in exhibitions of divine
+skill, may not prove to be lost knowledge. They shall be recognized as
+types of those far higher and richer developments of organization which
+the spiritual body shall exhibit.
+
+It may be still more difficult to show that such a science as botany will
+have a place in the new earth; simply because we have no certain knowledge
+of the existence of vegetation there. We can infer nothing on this subject
+from the figurative representations of the new Jerusalem in Revelation,
+since the drapery is all derived from this world. But, on the general
+principle already stated, that the universe constitutes but one vast and
+harmonious system, and all the economies upon it, past, present, and
+future, are only different developments of eternal principles, this
+consideration, I say, should make us hesitate before we infer the
+annihilation of the vast vegetable kingdom upon the destruction of the
+present economy of the world. And it does give us an aspect of extreme
+barrenness and cheerlessness to think of the new earth entirely swept of
+every thing analogous to the existing foliage, flowers, and fruits. We
+have attempted to show, however, in another place, that the spiritual body
+may be of such a nature that it might exist in a temperature so high, or
+so low, as to prevent the existence of such organic natures as now exist.
+But how easy for the Deity to create such natures as are adapted to
+extremes of temperature as wide as we now are acquainted with; and that,
+too, on the same type as existing nature; so that the new earth, while yet
+an incandescent, glowing ocean, might teem with animals and plants,
+organized on the same general principles as those of the present earth!
+But there is another supposition. I have endeavored to show that change
+ever has been, and probably ever will be, one of the grand means by which
+mind is introduced to higher spheres of enjoyment; and even though the new
+earth at first should be destitute of organic natures, both animal and
+vegetable, they might be introduced in successive and more perfect
+economies, as a means of increased happiness, especially to rational
+natures. These are, indeed, only conjectures; but the balance of
+probabilities seems to me to incline the mind to the belief that there may
+be a botany as well as zoölogy in the future world, far transcending their
+prototypes on earth.
+
+Among the things that we may be certain will pass away with the present
+world is the mode of communicating our ideas by language. This the apostle
+expressly declares when he says, _Whether there be tongues_, [that is,
+languages,] _they shall cease._ Now, the acquisition of languages, and the
+right use of language, or rhetoric and oratory, constitute a large part of
+what men call learning on earth. And the question is, whether there are
+any principles on which these branches of knowledge are based that will
+become the elements of new and higher modes of communicating thought in a
+future world. These branches are, indeed, rather to be regarded as arts
+than sciences. Language is the drapery for clothing our thoughts, and,
+unless we have thoughts to clothe, it becomes useless; and rhetoric and
+oratory merely show us how to arrange that drapery in the most attractive
+and impressive style. But there is such a thing as the philosophy of
+language and the philosophy of rhetoric, whose principles are derived
+chiefly from moral and intellectual philosophy. And these, we have reason
+to believe, are eternal. Different as will be the mode of communicating
+thoughts hereafter from the present, we shall find the same philosophical
+principles lying at its foundation. Hence we may expect that there will be
+a celestial language, a celestial rhetoric, and a celestial oratory, in
+whose beauty and splendor those of earth will be forgotten.
+
+I now proceed briefly to consider those sciences which, having little
+connection with material organization, we may more confidently maintain
+will have an existence on the new earth.
+
+It will be hardly necessary to spend much time in proving that
+intellectual philosophy will be one of the subjects of investigation in a
+future world. For it would be strange if the noblest part of God's
+workmanship, for which materialism was created, should cease to be an
+object of inquiry in that world where alone it can be investigated with
+much success. When we consider that the whole train of mental phenomena is
+constantly passing under the mind's own observation, and that a vast
+amount of time and talent has been devoted to the subject ever since man
+began to philosophize,--that is, for more than two thousand years,--it
+would seem as if psychology ere this must have attained the precision and
+certainty of mathematics. But how different is the fact! I speak not of a
+want of agreement in opinion on subordinate points, for these minor
+diversities must be expected in any science not strictly demonstrative.
+Even astronomy abounds with them. But metaphysical philosophers have not
+yet been able to settle fundamental principles. They are not yet agreed as
+to the existence of many of the most familiar and important intellectual
+powers and principles of action. The systems of Locke and Hume,
+constructed with great ability, were overthrown by Reid; Stewart differed
+much from Reid; and Dr. Thomas Brown has powerfully attacked the fabric
+erected by Stewart. And lastly, the phrenologists, with no mean ability,
+have endeavored to show that all these philosophers are heaven-wide of the
+truth, because they have so much neglected the influence of the material
+organs on the mental powers. Now, this diversity of result, arrived at by
+men of such profound abilities, shows that there are peculiar difficulties
+in the study of mind, originating, probably, in the fact that, in this
+world, we never see the operation of mind apart from a gross material
+organization. But in another state, where no organization will exist, or
+one far better adapted to mental operations, we may hope for such a
+clarification of the mental eye that the laws of mind will assume the
+precision and certainty of mathematics, and the relations between mind and
+matter, now so obscure, be fully developed. Then, I doubt not, the
+principles of mental science will furnish a more splendid illustration of
+the divine perfections than any which can now be derived from the material
+world.
+
+Will any one believe that the principles of moral science and mathematics
+will be altered or annihilated by the conflagration of the globe? We
+believe them no more dependent upon the external universe than is the
+divine existence. God exists by a necessity of nature, and these
+principles have the same unchanging and eternal origin. If so, no changes
+in the material world can affect them. So far as we understand them here,
+we shall find them true hereafter; and we shall doubtless find that our
+present knowledge is but the mere twilight of that bright day which will
+there pour its full light upon these subjects. Mathematical and moral
+truths, which we now suppose to be general laws, we shalt then find to be,
+in many cases, only the ramifications of principles far wider, which we
+cannot now discover, and which we could not comprehend were they open to
+inspection. And we shall also find that moral laws are as certain and
+demonstrable as those of mathematics; and that they form the adamantine
+chain which holds together the spiritual world, and gives it symmetry and
+beauty, as mathematics links together the material universe.
+
+Among men who understand biblical interpretation, and also the principles
+of science, the belief in the annihilation of the material universe at the
+close of man's probationary state is fast disappearing, and the more
+scriptural, philosophical, and animating doctrine is embraced, that there
+will be only a change of form and condition of our earth and its
+atmosphere, and that the matter of the universe will survive, and
+successively assume new and more beautiful forms, it may be eternally. If
+so, all those physical sciences, which do not depend upon organic
+structure, will form subjects of investigation in the heavenly world.
+There will be the heavenly bodies, governed by the same laws as at
+present, and offering a noble field for examination. Nor will the heavenly
+inhabitants need, as on earth, visual organs and optical instruments,
+which, at best, afford us only glimpses of the material universe. For
+there, if we rightly conjecture, will they possess the power of learning,
+with almost intuitive certainty and intuitive rapidity, the character and
+movements of the most distant worlds. Nay, it may be that they can pass
+from world to world with the velocity of light, and thus become better
+acquainted with their more intimate condition. Thus will the astronomy of
+the celestial world surpass, beyond conception, that science which even
+now is regarded as unequalled for its sublimity.
+
+We cannot be sure through what material medium the mind will act in a
+future world. But the manner in which we know heat, light, and electricity
+to be transmitted, makes it not impossible that the same or a similar
+medium may be the vehicle through which thought shall be hereafter
+transmitted. If so, we can easily understand how the mind will be able to
+penetrate into the most recondite nature of bodies, and learn the mode in
+which they act upon one another; for the curious medium which conveys
+light and heat does penetrate all bodies, whether they be solid or
+gaseous, cold or hot. Hence we may learn at a glance, in a future world,
+more of the internal constitution of bodies, and of their mutual action,
+than a whole life on earth, spent in the study of chemistry, will unfold.
+Then, too, shall we doubtless find chemical laws operating on a scale of
+grandeur and extent, limited only by the material universe.
+
+Universally diffused as light, heat, and electricity are, and diligently
+as their phenomena have been studied, yet what mystery hangs over their
+nature and operations! They seem to be too subtile, and to approximate too
+nearly to immaterial substances, to be apprehended by our beclouded
+intellects. When, therefore, our means of perception shall be vastly
+improved, as we have reason to believe they will be in eternity, these
+will become noble themes for examination. For who can doubt that agents so
+ethereal in their nature, and apparently indestructible, and even
+unchanged by any means with which we are acquainted, will survive the
+final catastrophe of our world? Probably, indeed, we are allowed to catch
+only glimpses of their nature and operations on earth, so that we may
+safely anticipate an immense expansion of the electricity and optics which
+will form a part of the science of heaven.
+
+We have endeavored to show, in a former lecture, that the future residence
+of the righteous will be material; that it will, in fact, be the present
+earth, purified by the fires of the last day, and rising from the final
+ruin in renovated splendor. We have shown that this is the doctrine of
+Scripture, of philosophy, and of a majority of the Christian church. A
+solid world, then, will exist, whose geology can be studied by glorified
+minds far more accurately and successfully than the globe which we
+inhabit; for those minds will doubtless be able to penetrate the entire
+mass of the globe, and learn its whole structure. The final conflagration
+may, indeed, for the most part, obliterate the traces of present and past
+organic beings. But according to the doctrine of action and reaction in
+mechanics, in chemistry, in electricity, and in organization, every change
+that has ever passed over the earth has left traces of its occurrence
+which can never be blotted out; and it is not improbable that glorified
+minds will possess the power of discovering and reading these records of
+the past, if not on the principle just specified, yet in some other way;
+so that the entire geological history of our planet will probably pass in
+clear light before them. Points which we see only through a glass darkly
+will then stand forth in full daylight; and from the glimpses we are able
+to obtain in this world of its present geological changes, what a mighty
+and interesting series will be seen by celestial minds! If, even by the
+colored rays which come upon us through the twilight of this world, we
+are able to see so many striking illustrations of the divine character
+engraven on the solid rocks, what a noble volume of religious truth shall
+be found written there, when the light of heaven shall penetrate the
+earth's deep foundations! Those foundations, figuratively described in
+revelation as so many precious stones, bearing up a city of pure gold,
+clear as glass, will then reflect a richer light than the costliest
+literal gems which the rocks now yield. The geology of heaven will be
+resplendent with divine glory.
+
+We see, then, with a few probable exceptions, resulting from a difference
+between the organism of heaven and earth, that science will survive the
+ruin of this world, and in a nobler form engage the minds, and interest
+the hearts, of heaven's inhabitants. It will, indeed, form a vast
+storehouse, whence pious minds can draw fuel to kindle into a purer and
+brighter flame their love and their devotion; for thence will they derive
+new and higher developments of the divine character. Shall we not, then,
+admit that to be religious truth on earth which in heaven will form the
+food of perfectly holy minds?
+
+The position which I laid down, at the outset, that scientific truth,
+rightly applied, is religious truth, seems to me most clearly established.
+If admitted, there flow from it several inferences of no small interest,
+which I am constrained to present to your consideration.
+
+_In the first place, I infer from this discussion that the principles of
+science are a transcript of the Divine Character._
+
+I mean by this, that the laws of nature, which are synonymous with the
+principles of science, are not the result of any arbitrary and special
+enactment on the part of the Deity, but flow naturally from his
+perfections; so that, in fact, the varied principles of science are but so
+many expressions of the perfections of Jehovah. If the universe had only a
+transient existence, we might suppose the laws that govern it to be the
+result of a special ordination of the Deity, and destined to perish with
+the annihilation of matter. But since we have no evidence that matter will
+ever perish, and at least probable evidence that it will exist forever,
+the more rational supposition is, that its laws result from the nature of
+things, and are only a development of so many features of the divine
+character. If so, then the most important inquiry in the study of the
+sciences is to learn from them the phases in which they present the divine
+perfections.
+
+_In the second place, it does not follow from this subject that the most
+extensive acquisitions in science necessarily imply the possession of true
+piety._
+
+Piety consists in the exercise of right affections of heart towards God,
+excited by religious truth. Now, I have attempted to show only, that the
+natural tendency of scientific truth is to excite such religious
+affections; but that tendency, like all other good influences, may be, and
+often is, resisted. Hence a man may reach the loftiest pinnacle of
+scientific glory whose heart has never heaved with one religious emotion.
+He may penetrate to the very holy of holies in nature's temple, and yet
+retain his atheism, in spite of the hallowed influences that surround him.
+Nothing is plainer in theory, and, alas! nothing has been more surely
+confirmed by experience, than that the possession of science is not the
+possession of religion.
+
+_In the third place, what a perversion of science it is to employ it
+against religion!_
+
+Rightly understood, and fairly interpreted, there is not a single
+scientific truth that does not harmoniously accord with revealed as well
+as natural religion; and yet, by superficial minds, almost every one of
+these principles has, at one time or another, been regarded as in
+collision with religion, and especially with revelation. One after another
+have these apparent discrepancies melted away before the clearer light of
+further examination. And yet, up to the present day, not a few, closing
+their eyes against the lessons of experience, still fancy that the
+responses of science are not in unison with those from revelation. But
+this is a sentiment which finds no place with the profound and
+unprejudiced philosopher; for he has seen too much of the harmony between
+the works and the word of God to doubt the identity of their origin. He
+knows it to be a sad perversion of scientific truth to use it for the
+discredit of religion. He knows that the inspiration of the Almighty
+breathed the same spirit into science as into religion; and if they utter
+discordant tones, it must be because one or the other has been forced to
+speak in an unnatural dialect.
+
+_In the fourth place, how entirely have the natural tendencies of science
+been misunderstood, when they have been represented as leading to
+religious scepticism!_
+
+I do not deny the fact that many scientific men have been sceptical. But I
+maintain that this has been in spite of science, rather than the result of
+its natural tendency; for we have shown that tendency in all cases to be
+favorable to piety. Other more powerful causes, therefore, must have
+operated to counteract the natural influence of scientific truth in those
+cases where men eminent for science have spurned away from them the
+authority of religion. Among these causes, the pride of knowledge is one
+of the most powerful; and before the mind has attained to very profound
+views of science, this pride does often exert a most disastrous influence
+upon a man's religious feelings.
+
+He is looked up to as an oracle on other subjects, and why should he not
+be equally wise concerning religion? It is natural for him to feel
+desirous, in such circumstances, of rising above all vulgar and
+superstitious views, and of convincing his fellow-men that he has made as
+great discoveries in religion as in science. He, therefore, calls in
+question the prevailing religious opinions. Having once taken his stand
+against the truth, pride does not allow him to recede, and he endeavors to
+convert scientific truth into weapons against religion. And this
+perversion produces the impression, with those not familiar with its
+natural tendency, that science fosters scepticism.
+
+Another cause of this scepticism is a superficial acquaintance with the
+religious bearings of scientific truth. It is one thing to master the
+principles of science in an abstract form, and quite a different thing to
+understand their religious bearings. Moral reasoning is so different from
+physical and mathematical, that often a mind which is a prodigy for the
+latter, is a mere Lilliput in the former. And yet that mind may fancy
+itself as profound in the one as in the other, and may, therefore, be as
+tenacious of its errors in religion as of its demonstrated verities in
+science.
+
+In the following extract it will be seen that Dr. Chalmers imputes the
+religious scepticism connected with science chiefly to a superficial
+acquaintance with science. His remarks may seem unreasonably severe and
+sweeping; nevertheless, they deserve consideration. And they accord with
+the idea of Lord Bacon, who says, "A smattering of philosophy leads to
+atheism; whereas a thorough acquaintance with it brings him back again to
+religion." "We have heard," Dr. Chalmers remarks, "that the study of
+natural science disposes to infidelity. But we feel persuaded that this is
+a danger associated only with a slight and partial, never with a deep,
+and adequate, and comprehensive, view of its principles. It is very
+possible that the conjunction between science and scepticism may at
+present be more frequently realized than in former days; but this is only
+because, in spite of all that is alleged about this our more enlightened
+day and more enlightened public, our science is neither so deeply founded,
+nor of such firm and thorough staple, as it was wont to be. We have lost
+in depth what we have gained in diffusion; having neither the massive
+erudition, nor the gigantic scholarship, nor the profound and well-laid
+philosophy of a period that has now gone by; and it is to this that
+Infidelity stands indebted for her triumphs among the scoffers and
+superficialists of a half-learned generation."--_Chalmers's Works_, vol.
+vii. p. 262.
+
+Briefly, but nobly, has Sir John Herschel vindicated science from the
+charge of sceptical tendencies. "Nothing can be more unfounded than the
+objection which has been taken _in limine_ by persons, well meaning,
+perhaps, certainly of narrow minds, against the study of natural
+philosophy, and, indeed, against all science, that it fosters in its
+cultivators an undue and overweening self-conceit, leads them to doubt the
+immortality of the soul, and to scoff at revealed religion. Its natural
+effect, we may confidently assert, on every well-constituted mind, is and
+must be the direct contrary. No doubt the testimony of natural reason, on
+whatever exercised, must, of course, stop short of those truths which it
+is the object of revelation to make known; but while it places the
+existence and principal attributes of a Deity on such grounds as to render
+doubt absurd, and atheism ridiculous, it unquestionably opposes no natural
+or necessary obstacle to further progress; on the contrary, by cherishing
+as a vital principle an unbounded spirit of inquiry and ardency of
+expectation, it unfetters the mind from prejudices of every kind, and
+leaves it open to every impression of a higher nature, which it is
+susceptible of receiving; guarding only against enthusiasm and
+self-deception by a habit of strict investigation, but encouraging, rather
+than suppressing, every thing that can offer a prospect or hope beyond the
+present obscure and unsatisfactory state. The character of the true
+philosopher is to hope all things not impossible, and to believe all
+things not unreasonable."--_Diss. on Study of Nat. Phil._
+
+In speaking of geology and revelation, Sir John says, "There cannot be two
+truths in contradiction to one another, and a man must have a mind fitted
+neither for scientific nor for religious truth, whose religion can be
+disturbed by geology, or whose geology can be distorted from its character
+of an inductive science by a determination to accommodate its results to
+preconceived interpretations of the Mosaic cosmogony."--_Dr. J. P. Smith's
+Lectures_, p. viii. 4th edition.
+
+"We have often mourned," says M'Cosh, "over the attempts made to set the
+works of God against the word of God, and thereby excite, propagate, and
+perpetuate jealousies fitted to separate parties that ought to live in
+closest union. In particular, we have always regretted that endeavors
+should have been made to depreciate nature with a view of exalting
+revelation; it has always appeared to us to be nothing else than the
+degrading of one part of God's works in the hope thereby of exalting and
+recommending another." "Perilous as it is at all times for the friends of
+religion to set themselves against natural science, it is especially
+dangerous in an age like the present.
+
+"It is no profane work that is engaged in by those who, in all humility,
+would endeavor to remove jealousies between parties whom God has joined
+together, and whom man is not at liberty to put asunder. We are not
+lowering the dignity of science when we command it to do what all the
+objects which it looks at and admires do--when we command it to worship
+God. Nor are we detracting from the honor which is due to religion when we
+press it to take science into its service, and accept the homage which it
+is able to pay. We are seeking to exalt both when we show how nature
+conducts man to the threshold of religion, and when from this point we bid
+him look abroad on the wide territories of nature. We would aid at the
+same time both religion and science, by removing those prejudices against
+sacred truth which nature has been employed to foster; and we would
+accomplish this not by casting aside and discarding nature, but by rightly
+interpreting it.
+
+"Let not science and religion be reckoned as opposing citadels, frowning
+defiance upon each other, and their troops brandishing their armor in
+hostile attitude. They have too many common foes, if they would but think
+of it, in ignorance and prejudice, in passion and vice, under all their
+forms, to admit of their lawfully wasting their strength in a useless
+warfare with each other. Science has a foundation, and so has religion;
+let them unite their foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they
+will be two compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of God.
+Let the one be the outer and the other the inner court. In the one, let
+all look, and admire, and adore; and in the other, let those who have
+faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let the one be the sanctuary where
+human learning may present its richest incense as an offering to God, and
+the other the holiest of all, separated from it by a veil now rent in
+twain, and in which, on a blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, we pour out the
+love of a reconciled heart, and hear the oracles of the living
+God."--_Method of the Divine Government_, p. 449, _et seq._
+
+_In the fifth place, scientific men and religious men may learn from this
+subject to regard each other as engaged in a common cause._
+
+If it be indeed true that scientific truth, rightly applied, is religious
+truth, then may the religious man be sure that every scientific discovery
+will ultimately contribute to the illustration of the character or
+government of the Deity; and therefore should he encourage and rejoice in
+all such investigations, and bid God speed to the votaries of science.
+Even though he cannot see how the new discovery will illustrate religion,
+and though, when imperfectly developed, it may seem to have an unfavorable
+aspect, he need not fear to confide in the general principle that science
+and religion are alike of divine origin, and must be in harmony. On the
+other hand, the votary of science should remember that the state of
+society most favorable to his pursuits is one in which religion exerts the
+strongest influence. It is for his interest, therefore, merely as a lover
+of science, and much more as a moral and accountable agent, to have pure
+religion prevail. Scientific and religious men should, therefore, look
+upon each other as co-laborers in a most noble cause--in illustrating the
+divine character and government. All jealousy and narrow-minded
+exclusiveness should be banished, and side by side should they labor in
+warm-hearted and generous sympathy. Alas! how different from this has been
+the history of the past! and, to a great extent, how different it is at
+present! "A study of the natural world," says Professor Sedgwick, "teaches
+not the truths of revealed religion, nor do the truths of religion inform
+us of the inductions of physical science. Hence it is that men, whose
+studies are too much confined to one branch of knowledge, often learn to
+overrate themselves, and so become narrow minded. Bigotry is a besetting
+sin of our nature. Too often has it been the attendant of religious zeal;
+but it is perhaps the most bitter and unsparing when found among the
+irreligious. A philosopher, not understanding one atom of their spirit,
+will sometimes scoff at the labors of religious men; and one who calls
+himself religious will, perhaps, return a like harsh judgment, and thank
+God that he is not as the philosophers; forgetting, all the while, that
+man can ascend to no knowledge except by faculties given to him by his
+Creator's hand, and that all natural knowledge is but a reflection of the
+will of God. In harsh judgments, such as these, there is not only much
+folly, but much sin. True wisdom consists in seeing how all the faculties
+of the mind and all parts of knowledge bear upon each other, so as to work
+together to a common end; ministering at once to the happiness of man and
+his Maker's glory."--_Discourse on the Studies of the University_, 5th
+edition, p. 105, appendix.
+
+_In the sixth place, the subject shows us what is the most important use
+to be derived from science._
+
+It does not consist, as men have been supposing, in its application to the
+useful arts, whereby civilization, and human comfort and happiness are so
+greatly promoted; although men have thereby been raised from a state of
+barbarism and advanced to a high point on the scale of refinement. It is
+not the application of science as a means of enlarging and disciplining
+the mind; although this would be a noble result of scientific study. But
+it is its application for the illustration of religion. This, I say, is
+its most important use. For what higher or nobler purpose can any pursuit
+subserve than in developing the character, government, and will of that
+infinite Being, who is the sum and centre of all perfection and happiness?
+Other objects accomplished by science are important, and in the bustle of
+life they may seem to be its chief end. But in the calmness of mature
+years, when we begin to estimate things according to their real value, we
+shall see that the religious bearings of any pursuit far transcend in
+importance all its other relations; for all its other tendencies and uses
+are limited to this world, and will, therefore, be transient; but every
+thing which bears the stamp of religion is immortal, and every thing which
+concerns the Deity is infinite. It is true that but few who are engaged in
+scientific pursuits make much account of their bearings upon man's highest
+interests; but very different will it be in heaven. There, so far as we
+know, all the applications of science to the useful arts will be unknown,
+and the great object of its cultivation will be to gain new and clearer
+views of the perfections and plans of Jehovah, and thus to awaken towards
+him a deeper reverence and a warmer love. And such should be the richest
+fruit of scientific researches on earth.
+
+_In the seventh place, the subject shows us that those who are the most
+eminent in science ought to be the most eminent in piety._
+
+I am far from maintaining that science is a sufficient guide in religion.
+On the other hand, if left to itself, as I fully admit,--
+
+  "It leads to bewilder, and dazzles to blind."
+
+Nor do I maintain that scientific truth, even when properly appreciated,
+will compare at all, in its influence upon the human mind, with those
+peculiar and higher truths disclosed by revelation. All I contend for is,
+that scientific truth, illustrating as it does the divine character,
+plans, and government, ought to fan and feed the flame of true piety in
+the hearts of its cultivators. He, therefore, who knows the most of
+science ought most powerfully to feel this religious influence. He is not
+confined, like the great mass of men, to the outer court of nature's
+magnificent temple, but he is admitted to the interior, and allowed to
+trace its long halls, aisles, and galleries, and gaze upon its lofty domes
+and arches; nay, as a priest he enters the _penetralia_, the holy of
+holies, where sacred fire is always burning upon the altars, where hovers
+the glorious Schekinah, and where, from a full orchestra, the anthem of
+praise is ever ascending. Petrified, indeed, must be his heart, if it
+catches none of the inspiration of such a spot. He ought to go forth from
+it among his fellow-men with radiant glory on his face, like Moses from
+the holy mount. He who sees most of God in his works ought to show the
+stamp of divinity upon his character, and lead an eminently holy life.
+
+_Finally, the subject gives great interest and dignity to the study of
+science._
+
+It is not strange that the religious man should sometimes find his ardor
+damped in the pursuit of some branches of knowledge, by the melancholy
+reflection that they can be of no use beyond this world, and will exist
+only as objects of memory in eternity. He may have devoted many a toilsome
+year to the details and manipulations of the arts; and, so far as this
+world is concerned, his labors have been eminently salutary and
+interesting. But all his labors and researches can be of no avail on the
+other side of the grave; and he cannot but feel sad that so much study and
+efforts should leave results no more permanent. Or he may have given his
+best days to loading his memory with those tongues which the Scriptures
+assure us shall cease; or to those details of material organization which
+can have no place or antitype in the future world. Interesting,
+therefore, as such pursuits have been on earth, nay, indispensable as they
+are to the well being and progress of human society, it is melancholy to
+realize that they form a part of that knowledge which will vanish away.
+
+The mind delights in the prospect of again turning its attention to those
+branches of knowledge which have engrossed and interested it on earth, and
+of doing this under circumstances far more favorable to their
+investigation. And such an anticipation he may reasonably indulge, who
+devotes himself on earth to any branch of knowledge not dependent on
+arrangements and organizations peculiar to this world. He may be confident
+that he is investigating those principles which will form a part of the
+science of heaven. Should he ever reach that pure world, he knows that the
+clogs which now weigh down his mind will drop off, and the clouds that
+obscure his vision will clear away, and that a brighter sun will pour its
+radiance upon his path. He is filling his mind with principles that are
+immortal. He is engaged in pursuits to which glorified and angelic minds
+are devoting their lofty powers. Other branches of knowledge, highly
+esteemed among men, shall pass away with the destruction of this world.
+The baseless hypotheses of science, falsely so called, whether moral,
+intellectual, or physical, and the airy phantoms of a light and fictitious
+literature, shall all pass into the limbo of forgetfulness. But the
+principles of true science, constituting, as they do, the pillars of the
+universe, shall bear up that universe forever. How many questions of deep
+interest, respecting his favorite science, must the philosopher in this
+world leave unanswered, how many points unsettled! But when he stands upon
+the vantage-ground of another world, all these points shall be seen in the
+bright transparencies of heaven. In this world, the votaries of science
+may be compared with the aborigines who dwell around some one of the
+principal sources of the River Amazon. They have been able, perhaps, to
+trace one or two, or it may be a dozen, of its tributaries, from their
+commencement in some mountain spring, and to follow them onwards as they
+enlarge by uniting, so as to bear along the frail canoes, in which,
+perhaps, they pass a few hundred miles towards the ocean. On the right and
+on the left, a multitude of other tributaries swell the stream which
+carries them onward, until it seems to them a mighty river. But they are
+ignorant of the hundred other tributaries which drain the vast eastern
+slope of the Andes, and sweep over the wide plains, till their united
+waters have formed the majestic Amazon. Of that river in its full glory,
+and especially of the immense ocean that lies beyond, the natives have no
+conception; unless, perhaps, some individual, more daring than the rest,
+has floated onward till his astonished eye could scarcely discern the
+shore on either hand, and before him he saw the illimitable Atlantic,
+whitened by the mariner's sail and the crested waves; and he may have gone
+back to tell his unbelieving countrymen the marvellous story. Just so is
+it with men of science. They are able to trace with clearness a few rills
+of truth from the fountain head, and to follow them onward till they unite
+in a great principle, which at first men fancy is the chief law of the
+universe. But as they venture still farther onward, they find new
+tributary truths coming in on either side, to form a principle or law
+still more broad and comprehensive. Yet it is only a few gifted and
+adventurous minds that are able, from some advanced mountain top, to catch
+a glimpse of the entire stream of truth, formed by the harmonious union of
+all principles, and flowing on majestically into the boundless ocean of
+all knowledge, the Infinite Mind. But when the Christian philosopher
+shall be permitted to resume the study of science in a future world, with
+powers of investigation enlarged and clarified, and all obstacles removed,
+he will be able to trace onward the various ramifications of truth, till
+they unite into higher and higher principles, and become one in that
+centre of centres, the Divine Mind. That is the Ocean from which all truth
+originally sprang, and to which it ultimately returns. To trace out the
+shores of that shoreless Sea, to measure its measureless extent, and to
+fathom its unfathomable depths, will be the noble and the joyous work of
+eternal ages. And yet eternal ages may pass by and see the work only
+begun.
+
+
+
+
+Footnotes:
+
+[1] I ought surely to except the work of Professor Bachman, which I have
+not read, but which was certainly written by an able naturalist.
+
+[2] I am not aware that this reply to the objection was ever advanced,
+till the publication, by myself, last year, of a sermon on the
+Resurrections of Spring, in a small volume of sermons, entitled Religious
+Lectures on some peculiar Phenomena in the Four Seasons. I may be
+mistaken; but I cannot see why this reply does not completely meet the
+difficulty, and free an important doctrine from an incubus under which it
+has long lain half smothered.
+
+[3] I hope it is not vanity to say that this subject, also, was first
+suggested in the sermon referred to in the preceding note. If correct, it
+opens an animating prospect to the afflicted Christian.
+
+[4] The first edition of this work was republished in this country. In
+England it has reached the fifth edition, much enlarged.
+
+[5] Two or three years since Professor Bronn described twenty-six thousand
+six hundred and seventy-eight species; and, upon an average, one thousand
+species are discovered every year. M. Alcide D'Orbigny, in 1850, stated
+the number of mollusks and radiated animals alone at seventeen thousand
+nine hundred and forty-seven species.
+
+[6] The news has just reached us that this venerable man is no more. I was
+present last summer at Homerton, when he resigned the charge of that
+beloved institution. From his addresses and his prayers, so redolent of
+the spirit of heaven, I might have known that he was pluming his wings for
+his upward flight. I am thankful that I was permitted to see the man,
+whom, of all others in Europe, I most desired to see. But Dr. Buckland I
+did not meet; for he was in an insane hospital, with no prospect of
+recovery. Alas! how sad to think of such Christian philosophers, so soon
+removed from the world, or from all concern in it! Could I dare to hope
+that I shall meet them and kindred spirits before the throne of our common
+Redeemer, how should I exclaim with Cicero, "_O preclarum diem, quum in
+illud animorum concilium coelumque proficiscar, ut quum ex hac turba et
+colluvione discedam!_"
+
+[7] This had always seemed to me a very strong case, as I had seen it
+described. But a recent visit to the spot (September, 1850) did not make
+so strong an impression upon me as I expected. In the first place, I found
+the head of Lake Lehman, where the Rhone enters, to be so narrow, that the
+detritus brought down by the river cannot spread itself out very far
+laterally. Secondly, I found, on ascending the Rhone, that it is every
+where a very rapid stream; and, on account of the origination of its
+branches from glaciers, it is always loaded with mud. So that the process
+of deposition must be going on continually. This cannot be the case in one
+in ten of other rivers, whose waters, for most of the year, are clear.
+This case, then, is only a quite unusual exception, and cannot be regarded
+as a standard by which to judge of the rate of deposition at present, or
+in past times.
+
+[8] For a much more minute and extended account of the different modes
+proposed to reconcile geology and revelation, and indeed of their entire
+connection, I would refer to several papers in the American Biblical
+Repository, especially to the number for October, 1835, p. 261. The
+progress of science has, indeed, rendered it desirable to change a few
+sentences in those articles; but all their essential principles I still
+maintain.
+
+[9] See Stuart and Hodge on Rom. v. 12; also Chalmers's Lectures on
+Romans, Lecture 26; and Harris's Man Primeval, p. 178.
+
+[10] Johnston's Physical Atlas, pp. 66, 76, (Philadelphia edition, 1850.)
+
+[11] Rev. Joseph Tracy, Bibliotheca Sacra, Oct. 1850, p. 614.
+
+[12] See the Frontispiece.
+
+[13] The subject of this inference is treated with great ability and
+candor in the _Biblotheca Sacra_ for November, 1849, by my friend and
+colleague, Rev. Joseph Haven, Jr., professor of intellectual and moral
+philosophy in Amherst College.
+
+[14] In this description I have attempted to give exactly the experience
+of myself and John Tappan, Esq., with our wives, who ascended Snowdon in
+June, 1850. A few days after, we ascended Cader Idris, another mountain of
+Wales, near Dolgelly, where the views were perhaps equally wild and
+sublime, with the addition of a vast number of trap columns, and a
+pseudo-crater, with its jagged and frowning sides.
+
+[15] When I visited this spot, in September, 1850, I was so fortunate as
+to get sight of a party that had just commenced the descent from the
+summit of Mont Blanc. To the naked eye they were invisible, but the whole
+train could be distinctly seen through a telescope. This was the third
+party that had ascended that mountain in the summer of 1850. I doubt not
+that the dangers have been exaggerated, and that the excursion will become
+common.
+
+There are other points of great interest around Chamouny, which I have not
+noticed, some of which I visited, but not all. I have mentioned only the
+most common.
+
+[16] In September, 1850, I visited this well, and found the water running
+still, at the rate of six hundred and sixty gallons per minute at the
+surface, and half that amount at the top of a tube one hundred and twelve
+feet high, from whence it could be carried to any part of Paris; and, in
+fact, does supply some of the streets. I tasted the water, and found it
+pleasant, though warm, (84 deg. Fahrenheit.)
+
+[17] I adopt this division from an able American review of the "Vestiges."
+
+[18] For the details of this remarkable subject, see the "Parthenogenesis"
+of Professor Owen, p. 76, (London, 1849;) Steenstrup's "Alternation of
+Generations," published by the Ray Society in 1845, and Sedgwick's
+"Discourse on the Studies of the University," Supplement, p. 193, (London,
+1850.)
+
+[19] The subject of this lecture has been ably discussed, within a few
+years, in most of the leading periodicals in Europe and America, though I
+must say not always with the candor calculated to do the most good. The
+two most able volumes that have fallen into my hands, on the subject, are
+Professor Sedgwick's "Discourse on the Studies of the University," &c.,
+(fifth ed., London, 1850,) and Hugh Miller's "Footprints of the Creator,"
+now republished in this country.
+
+[20] This subject has been treated more fully, and I hope more
+satisfactorily, in a little work of mine, which has just reached its
+second edition, entitled Religious Lectures on Peculiar Phenomena in the
+Four Seasons, (Amherst, 1851.) See the first Lecture, on the Resurrections
+of Spring.
+
+
+
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+Transcriber's Notes:
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+Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.
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+The original text includes Greek characters. For this text version these
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences, by Edward Hitchcock.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Religion of Geology and Its Connected
+Sciences, by Edward Hitchcock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences
+
+Author: Edward Hitchcock
+
+Release Date: February 26, 2011 [EBook #35408]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
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+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" /><br />
+<a href="images/frontis_large.jpg"><small>Larger Image</small></a></div>
+<p class="center">SECTION OF THE EARTH&#8217;S CRUST.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE<br />
+RELIGION OF GEOLOGY<br />
+AND ITS<br />
+CONNECTED SCIENCES.</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">BY<br />
+<span class="big">EDWARD HITCHCOCK, D. D., LL. D.,</span><br />
+<small>PRESIDENT OF AMHERST COLLEGE, AND PROFESSOR OF NATURAL THEOLOGY AND GEOLOGY.</small></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="note">&#8220;Science has a foundation, and so has religion; let them unite their
+foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they will be two
+compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of God. Let the one
+be the outer and the other the inner court. In the one, let all look, and
+admire, and adore; and in the other, let those who have faith kneel, and
+pray, and praise. Let the one be the sanctuary where human learning may
+present its richest incense as an offering to God; and the other the
+holiest of all, separated from it by a veil now rent in twain, and in
+which, on a blood sprinkled mercy seat, we pour out the love of a
+reconciled heart, and hear the oracles of the living God.&#8221;&mdash;<i>M&#8217;Cosh.</i></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">EIGHTH THOUSAND.<br /><br />
+BOSTON:<br />PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, AND COMPANY.<br />1854.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by<br />
+PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, &amp; CO.,<br />
+In the Clerk&#8217;s Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">STEREOTYPED AT THE<br />BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p>
+<h2>TO MY BELOVED WIFE.</h2>
+
+<p>Both gratitude and affection prompt me to dedicate these lectures to you.
+To your kindness and self-denying labors I have been mainly indebted for
+the ability and leisure to give any successful attention to scientific
+pursuits. Early should I have sunk under the pressure of feeble health,
+nervous despondency, poverty, and blighted hopes, had not your sympathies
+and cheering counsels sustained me. And during the last thirty years of
+professional labors, how little could I have done in the cause of science,
+had you not, in a great measure, relieved me of the cares of a numerous
+family! Furthermore, while I have described scientific facts with the pen
+only, how much more vividly have they been portrayed by your pencil! And
+it is peculiarly appropriate that your name should be associated with mine
+in any literary effort where the theme is geology; since your artistic
+skill has done more than my voice to render that science attractive to the
+young men whom I have instructed. I love especially to connect your name
+with an effort to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> defend and illustrate that religion which I am sure is
+dearer to you than every thing else. I know that you would forbid this
+public allusion to your labors and sacrifices, did I not send it forth to
+the world before it meets your eye. But I am unwilling to lose this
+opportunity of bearing a testimony which both justice and affection urge
+me to give. In a world where much is said of female deception and
+inconstancy, I desire to testify that one man at least has placed implicit
+confidence in woman, and has not been disappointed. Through many checkered
+scenes have we passed together, both on the land and the sea, at home and
+in foreign countries; and now the voyage of life is almost ended. The ties
+of earthly affection, which have so long united us in uninterrupted
+harmony and happiness, will soon be sundered. But there are ties which
+death cannot break; and we indulge the hope that by them we shall be
+linked together and to the throne of God through eternal ages.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 4em;">In life and in death I abide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;">Your affectionate husband,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;">EDWARD HITCHCOCK.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p>
+<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+<p>Most of the following lectures were written as much as eight or ten years
+ago, though additions and alterations have been made, from time to time,
+to adapt them to the progress of science. They were undertaken at the
+suggestion of my friend, Rev. Henry Neill, then of Hatfield, now of Lenox.
+I had no definite intention as to the use to be made of the lectures; but
+having for many years turned my attention to the bearings of science, and
+especially of geology, upon religion, I felt a desire to put upon paper
+the final results of my examinations. I threw them into the lecture form,
+that I might, if best, deliver them to the geological classes which I
+should instruct in the college with which I am connected. This I have done
+for many years, and also have used them in various places before lyceums.
+They are at length published, from a conviction that something of the
+kind, from some quarter, is needed. Many of the thoughts, indeed, which,
+at the time they were put upon paper, were original, have since been
+brought out by other writers. Yet enough of this description probably
+remain to expose me to severe criticism. I beg the intelligent Christian,
+however, before he condemns my views, to settle it in his mind what he can
+substitute for them that will be more honorable to religion. It is much
+easier to find fault with a mode of defending the truth than to invent a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>
+better method. We may not be pleased with certain views in vindication of
+religion, and yet the alternative of rejecting them may be so much worse
+as to lead us at least to be silent. Would that Christian critics had
+always kept this fact in mind when writing upon the views of geologists!
+They would find often that they are straining at a gnat and must swallow a
+camel.</p>
+
+<p>If my views are erroneous, as exhibited in these lectures, I cannot plead
+that they have been hastily adopted. Most of them, indeed, have been the
+subjects of thought occasionally for thirty years. I hope, however, that
+all my suggestions will not be thought of equal importance in my own
+estimation; since some of them are merely hypothetical hints thrown out
+for the consideration of abler minds.</p>
+
+<p>This work does not exhibit quite so much of logical exactness as I could
+wish. But my leading object has been fully carried out, viz., to exhibit
+all the religious bearings of geology. Several of the lectures, however,
+have been written as if independent of all the rest; and, therefore, the
+reader will find some leading thoughts repeated, but always in different
+connections.</p>
+
+<p>After acknowledging that more than a quarter of a century has elapsed
+since this subject first engaged my attention, it may be useless for me to
+ask any indulgence from criticism. But really, I feel less prepared to
+write upon it than I did during the first five years in which I studied
+it. I have learnt that it is a most difficult subject. It requires, in
+order to master it, an acquaintance with three distinct branches of
+knowledge, not apt to go together. First, an acquaintance with geology in
+all its details, and with the general principles of zo&ouml;logy, botany, and
+comparative anatomy; secondly, a knowledge of sacred hermeneutics, or the
+principles of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span>interpreting the Scriptures; thirdly, a clear conception of
+the principles of natural and revealed religion.</p>
+
+<p>As examples of efforts made by men who were deficient in a knowledge of
+some of these branches, I am compelled to quote a large proportion of the
+works which, within the last thirty or forty years, have been written on
+the religion of geology; especially on its connection with revealed
+religion. I am happy to except such writers as Dr. J. Pye Smith, Dr.
+Chalmers, Dr. Harris, Dr. Buckland, Professor Sedgwick, Professor Whewell,
+Dr. King, Dr. Anderson, and Hugh Miller; for they, to a greater or less
+extent, acquainted themselves with all the subjects named above, before
+they undertook to write. But a still larger number of authors, although
+men of talents, and familiar, it may be, with the Bible and theology, had
+no accurate knowledge of geology. The results have been, first, that, by
+resorting to denunciation and charges of infidelity, to answer arguments
+from geology which they did not understand, they have excited unreasonable
+prejudices and alarm among common Christians respecting that science and
+its cultivators; secondly, they have awakened disgust, and even contempt,
+among scientific men, especially those of sceptical tendencies, who have
+inferred that a cause which resorts to such defences must be very weak.
+They have felt very much as a good Greek scholar would, who should read a
+severe critique upon the style of Isocrates, or Demosthenes, and, before
+he had finished the review, should discover internal evidence that the
+writer had never learnt the Greek alphabet.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, prejudices and disgust equally strong have been
+produced in the mind of many a man well versed in theology and biblical
+exegesis by some productions of scientific men upon the religious bearings
+of geology, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> they advanced principles which the merest tyro in
+divinity would know to be false and fatal to religion, and which they
+advocated only because they had never studied the Bible or theology.</p>
+
+<p>And here I would remark that it does not follow, because a man is eminent
+in geology, that his opinion is of any value upon the religion of geology.
+For the two subjects are quite distinct, and a man may be a Coryph&aelig;us in
+the principles of geology, who is an ignoramus in its religious
+applications. Indeed, many of the ablest writers upon geology take the
+ground that its religious bearings do not belong to the science.</p>
+
+<p>These statements, instead of pleading my apology for the following work,
+may only show my temerity and vanity. Nevertheless, they afford me an
+opportunity of calling the attention of the religious public to the great
+inadequacy of the means now possessed of acquiring a knowledge of the
+different branches of natural science. I refer especially to comparative
+anatomy, zo&ouml;logy, botany, and geology, in our literary and theological
+seminaries. The latter, so far as I know, do not pretend to give any
+instruction in these branches. And in our colleges that instruction is
+confined almost entirely to a few brief courses of lectures; often so few
+that the students scarcely find out how ignorant they are of the subjects;
+and hence those who are expecting to enter the sacred ministry vainly
+imagine that, at almost any period of their future course, they can, in a
+few weeks, become sufficiently acquainted with physical science to meet
+and refute the sceptic. In all our seminaries, however, abundant provision
+is made, as it ought to be, for the study of intellectual philosophy and
+biblical interpretation.</p>
+
+<p>So well satisfied are two of the most enlightened and efficient Christian
+denominations in Great Britain&mdash;the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span>Congregationalists and the Scottish
+Free Church&mdash;of the need of more extensive acquaintance with the natural
+sciences in ministers of the gospel, that they have attached a
+professorship of natural history to their theological seminaries. That in
+the New College in Edinburgh is filled by the venerable Dr. Fleming; that
+in the New College in London by Dr. Lankester. From a syllabus of Dr.
+Fleming&#8217;s course of lectures, which he put into my hands last summer, I
+perceive that it differs little from the instruction in natural science in
+the colleges of our country. This being the case, it strikes me that this
+is not exactly the professorship that is needed in the theological
+seminaries of our country. But they do need, it seems to me,
+professorships of natural theology, to be filled by men who are
+practically familiar with the natural sciences. If any such chairs exist
+in these seminaries, I do not know it. They are amply provided with
+instruction in the metaphysics of theology, hermeneutics, and
+ecclesiastical history; and I should be sorry to see these departments
+less amply provided for. But here is the wide field of natural theology,
+large enough for several professorships, which finds no place, save a nook
+in the chair of dogmatics. This might have answered well enough when the
+battle-field with scepticism lay in the region of metaphysics, or history,
+or biblical interpretation. But the enemy have, within a few years past,
+intrenched themselves within the dominions of natural science; and there,
+for a long time to come, must be the tug of the war. And since they have
+substituted skeletons, and trees, and stones, as weapons, in the place of
+abstractions, so must Christians do, if they would not be defeated. Let me
+refer to a few examples to show how inadequately furnished the minister
+must be for such a contest, who has used only the means of instruction
+provided in our existing seminaries, literary and theological.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span>Take the leading points discussed in the following lectures. How can a man
+who has heard only a brief and hurried course of thirty lectures on
+chemistry, twenty on anatomy and physiology, fifteen upon zo&ouml;logy, ten
+upon botany, ten upon mineralogy, and twenty upon geology, at the college,
+with no additional instruction at the theological seminary,&mdash;how can he
+judge correctly of points and reasoning difficult to be mastered by adepts
+in these sciences? How certain to be worsted in an argument with an
+accomplished naturalist who is a sceptic!</p>
+
+<p>Suppose the sceptic takes the ground advocated by Oken and the author of
+the &#8220;Vestiges.&#8221; Let the clergyman, whom I have supposed, read the works of
+Miller and Sedgwick in reply to the development hypothesis, and see
+whether he can even understand their arguments without a more careful
+study of the sciences on which they rest.</p>
+
+<p>A subject of no small importance in its religious bearings has recently
+excited a good deal of sharp discussion in this country. I refer to the
+questions of the specific unity and unity of origin of the human race. To
+a person who has never studied the subject, it seems a matter easy to
+settle; yet, in fact, it demands extensive research even to understand.
+And we have seen one of the most accomplished zo&ouml;logists and anatomists of
+the present age take ground on these points in opposition to the almost
+universal opinion. The result has been that not a few talented replies to
+his arguments have appeared, mostly, I believe, from ministers. I have not
+seen them all. But in respect to those which I have read it has seemed to
+me, without having the least sympathy with the views of Professor Agassiz,
+that the authors have not the most remote conception of the principal
+arguments on which he relies, derived from zo&ouml;logy and comparative
+anatomy; nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> do I believe that they can understand and appreciate them
+until they have studied those sciences.<small><a name="f1.1" id="f1.1" href="#f1">[1]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>Although I fear that theologians are not aware of the fact, yet probably
+the doctrines of materialism are more widely embraced at this day than
+almost any other religious error. But in which of our schools, save the
+medical, is there any instruction given in physiology and zo&ouml;logy, that
+will prepare a man to make the least headway against such delusions? The
+arguments by which materialism is defended are among the most subtle in
+the whole range of theology and natural science; and without a knowledge
+of the latter they can neither be appreciated nor refuted. The mere
+metaphysical abstractions by which they are usually met excite only the
+contempt of the acute physiologist who is a materialist.</p>
+
+<p>I might refer, in this connection, to the whole subject of pantheism, in
+its chameleon forms. The rhapsodies of spiritual pantheism must, indeed,
+be met by metaphysics equally transcendental. But, after all, it is from
+biology that the pantheist derives his choicest weapons. He appeals, also,
+to astronomy, zo&ouml;logy, and geology; nor is it the superficial naturalist
+that can show how hollow is the foundation on which he rests.</p>
+
+<p>These are only a few examples of the points of physical science on which
+scepticism at this moment has batteries erected with which to assail
+spiritual religion. Will the minister but slightly familiar with the
+ground chosen by the enemy be able not only to silence his guns, but, as
+every able defender of the truth ought to do, to turn them against its
+foes?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> Surely it needs a professor of natural theology in our theological
+seminaries, (and if such chairs existed in our colleges they would be
+serviceable,) to teach those who expect to be officers in the sacramental
+host how to carry on the holy war. I do not see how much more time can be
+given to the natural sciences in our colleges than is usually done,
+without encroaching upon other indispensable branches. If, therefore,
+provision be not made for studying the religious bearings of these
+sciences in our theological seminaries, our youthful evangelists must go
+forth to their work without the ability to vindicate the cause of religion
+against the assaults of the sceptical naturalist. Would not, then, those
+wealthy and benevolent individuals be great public benefactors, who should
+endow professorships of natural religion in our schools of the prophets?</p>
+
+<p>But I must not pursue this subject farther. I commit my work to the public
+with no raised expectations of its welcome reception. I have a high
+opinion of the enlightened candor of, the educated classes of our country,
+especially those in the ministry. Yet I know that many prejudices exist
+against science in its connections with religion. And, therefore, my only
+hope of any measure of success in this effort rests upon the divine
+blessing. But if the work be not pleasing to Infinite Wisdom and
+Benevolence, why should I desire for it an ephemeral success among men?</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Amherst College</span>, May 1, 1851.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span></p>
+<h2>EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.</h2>
+
+<p>This section of the earth&#8217;s crust is intended to bring under the eye the
+leading features of geology.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><br />1. <i>The relative Position of the Stratified and the Unstratified Rocks.</i></p>
+
+<p>The unstratified rocks, viz., granite, sienite, porphyry, trap, and lava,
+are represented as lying beneath the stratified class, for the most part,
+yet piercing through them in the centre of the section, and by several
+dikes or veins, through which masses have been protruded to the surface.
+The unstratified class are all colored red, to indicate their igneous
+origin. Granite seems to have been first melted and protruded, and it
+continued to be pushed upward till the close of the secondary period of
+the stratified rocks, as is shown by the vein of granite on the section.
+Sienite and porphyry seem to have been next thrust up, from below the
+granite; next, the varieties of trap were protruded from beneath the
+porphyry; and last, the lava, which still continues to be poured out upon
+the surface from beneath all the rest.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><br />2. <i>The Stratified Rocks.</i></p>
+
+<p>The stratified rocks represented on both flanks of the granite peak in the
+section, appear to have been deposited from water, and subsequently more
+or less lifted up, fractured, and bent. An attempt is made, on the right
+hand side of the section, to exhibit the foldings and inclination of the
+strata. The lowest are bent the most, and their dip is the greatest; and,
+as a general fact, there is a gradual approach to horizontality as we rise
+on the scale.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><br />3. <i>The right hand side of the Section.</i></p>
+
+<p>The strata on the right hand are divided into five classes: first and
+lowest, the <i>crystalline</i>, or <i>primary</i>, destitute of organic remains, and
+probably metamorphosed from a sedimentary to a crystalline state, by the
+action of subjacent heat. 2. The <i>pal&aelig;ozoic class</i>, or those containing
+the earliest types of animals and plants, and of vast thickness, mostly
+deposited in the ocean. 3. <i>The secondary class</i>, reaching from the top of
+the lower new red or Permian system, to the top of the chalk. 4. <i>The
+tertiary strata</i>, partially consolidated, and differing entirely from the
+rocks below by their organic contents. 5. <i>Alluvium</i>, or strata now in a
+course of deposition. This classification is sometimes convenient, and
+frequently used by geologists.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span></p>
+<p class="center"><br />4. <i>The left hand Side.</i></p>
+
+<p>On the left hand side of the section the strata are so divided as to
+correspond to the six great groups of animals and plants that have
+appeared on the globe. The names attached to the groups are derived from
+<ins class="correction" title="z&ocirc;os">&#950;&#969;&#8001;&#962;</ins> (<i>vivus</i>, living,) with the Greek numerals prefixed. The
+lowest group, being destitute of organic remains, is called <i>azoic</i>, (from
+&#945; privitive and <ins class="correction" title="z&ocirc;os">&#950;&#969;&#8001;&#962;</ins>,) that is, wanting in the traces of
+life; and corresponds to the crystalline group on the other side of the
+section, embracing gneiss, mica slate, limestone, and clay slate, of
+unknown thickness. The <i>protozoic group</i> corresponds to the pal&aelig;ozoic of
+the right hand side, and embraces lower and upper Silurian, Devonian, or
+old red sandstone, the carboniferous group, and the Permian, or lower new
+red; the whole in Great Britain not less than thirty-three thousand feet
+thick. The <i>deutozoic group</i> consists only of the triassic, or upper new
+red sandstone, and is only nine hundred feet thick, but marks a distinct
+period of life. The <i>tritozoic</i> embraces the lias and o&ouml;lite, with the
+Wealden, and is three thousand six hundred feet thick. The <i>tetrazoic</i>
+consists of the chalk and green sand, one thousand five hundred feet
+thick. The <i>pentezoic</i> embraces the tertiary strata of the thickness of
+two thousand feet. The <i>hectozoic</i> is confined to the modern deposits,
+only a few hundred feet thick, but entombing all the existing species of
+animals.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><br />5. <i>Characteristic Organic Remains.</i></p>
+
+<p>Had space permitted, I should have put upon the section a reference to the
+most characteristic and peculiar mineral, animal, or plant, in the
+different groups. Thus the azoic group is <i>crystalliferous</i>, or
+crystal-bearing. The lower or Silurian part of the protozoic group is
+<i>brachiopodiferous</i>, <i>trilobiferous</i>, <i>polypiferous</i>, and
+<i>cephalopodiferous</i>; that is, abounding in brachiopod and cephalopod
+shells; in polypifers, or corals; and in trilobites, a family of
+crustaceans. The middle part, or the Devonian, is <i>thaumichthiferous</i>, or
+containing remarkable fish. The upper part, or the coal measures, is
+<i>carboniferous</i>; that is, abounding in coal. <i>The deutozoic group</i> is
+<i>ichniferous</i>, or track-bearing, from the multitude of its fossil
+footmarks. The <i>tritozoic group</i> is <i>reptiliferous</i>, or reptile-bearing,
+from the extraordinary lizards which abound in it. The <i>tetrazoic</i> is
+<i>foraminiferous</i>, from the abundance of coral animalcula, called
+foraminifera, or polythalmia, which it contains. The <i>pentezoic</i> is
+<i>mammaliferous</i>, because it contains the remains of mammalia, or
+quadrupeds. The <i>hectozoic</i> is <i>homoniferous</i>, or man-bearing, because it
+embraces human remains.</p>
+
+<p>There is no one place on earth where all the facts exhibited on this
+section are presented before us together. Yet all the facts occur
+somewhere, and this section merely brings them into systematic
+arrangement.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table">
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="right">Page</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_I">LECTURE I.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_II">LECTURE II.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH&#8217;S CREATION UNREVEALED,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_III">LECTURE III.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE FROM THE BEGINNING,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_IV">LECTURE IV.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_V">LECTURE V.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE WORLD&#8217;S SUPPOSED ETERNITY,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_VI">LECTURE VI.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span>
+<a href="#LECTURE_VII">LECTURE VII.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_VIII">LECTURE VIII.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE WORLD&#8217;S HISTORY,</span></td><td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_IX">LECTURE IX.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_285">285</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_X">LECTURE X.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_XI">LECTURE XI.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_370">370</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_XII">LECTURE XII.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_409">409</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_XIII">LECTURE XIII.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_445">445</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#LECTURE_XIV">LECTURE XIV.</a><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY APPLIED, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH,</span></td>
+    <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="#Page_476">476</a></td></tr></table>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY.</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_I" id="LECTURE_I"></a>LECTURE I.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE.</span></p>
+
+<p>The leading object, which I propose in the course of lectures which I now
+commence, is to develop the relations between geology and religion. This
+cannot be done fully and fairly, however, without exhibiting also many of
+the religious bearings of several other sciences. I shall, therefore, feel
+justified in drawing illustrations and arguments from any department of
+human knowledge which may afford them. I place geology first and most
+conspicuous on the list, because I know of no other branch of physical
+science so prolific in its religious applications.</p>
+
+<p>In treating of this subject, I shall first exhibit the relations between
+science and revealed religion, and afterwards between science and natural
+religion; though in a few cases these two great branches cannot be kept
+entirely distinct.</p>
+
+<p>Geology is usually regarded as having only an unfavorable bearing upon
+revealed religion; and writers are generally satisfied if they can
+reconcile apparent discrepancies. But I regard this as an unfair
+representation; for if geology, or any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> other science, proves to us that
+we have not fairly understood the meaning of any passage of Scripture, it
+merely illustrates, but does not oppose, revelation.</p>
+
+<p>A fundamental principle of Protestant Christianity is, that the Scriptures
+of the Old and New Testaments are the only infallible standard of
+religious truth; and I desire to hold up this principle prominently at the
+outset, as one to which I cordially subscribe. The mass of evidence in
+favor of the divine inspiration of the Bible is too great to be set aside
+by any thing short of scientific demonstration. Were the Scriptures to
+teach that the whole is not equal to its parts, the mind could not,
+indeed, believe it. But if it taught a truth which was only contrary to
+the probable deductions of science, science, I say, must yield to
+Scripture; for it would be more reasonable to doubt the probabilities of a
+single science, than the various and most satisfactory evidence on which
+revelation rests. I do not believe that even the probabilities of any
+science are in collision with Scripture. But the supposition is made to
+show how strong are my convictions of the evidence and paramount authority
+of the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>But does it follow, from these positions, that science can throw no light
+upon the truths of Scripture? By no means; and it will be my leading
+object, in this lecture, to show how this may be done by science in
+general, and by geology in particular.</p>
+
+<p>In discussing this subject, we ought to bear in mind the object of
+science, and the object of revelation. And by the term science I refer
+mainly to physical science. Its grand aim is, by an induction from facts,
+to discover the laws by which the material universe is governed. Those
+laws do, indeed, lead the mind almost necessarily to their divine Author.
+But this is rather the incidental than the direct result of scientific<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>
+investigations, and belongs rather to natural theology than to natural
+science.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, the exclusive object of revelation is of a moral
+character. It is a development of the divine character and the divine
+government; especially that part of it which discloses a plan for the
+reconciliation of a lost and wicked world to the favor of God by the death
+of his Son. Every other subject mentioned in Scripture is incidental, and
+would not have been noticed had it not some connection with the plan of
+salvation. The creation of the world and the Noachian deluge, for
+instance, are intimately related to the divine character and government,
+and therefore they are described; and the same is true of the various
+phenomena of nature which are touched upon in the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>If these positions be correct, it follows, that as we ought not to expect
+to find the doctrines of religion in treatises on science, so it is
+unreasonable to look for the principles of philosophy in the Bible. Nay,
+we ought not to expect to find the terms used by the Sacred writers
+employed in their strict scientific sense, but in their popular
+acceptation. Indeed, as the Scriptures were generally addressed to men in
+the earliest and most simple states of society, with very limited views of
+the extent of creation, we ought to suppose that, in all cases where no
+new fact is revealed, the language was adapted to the narrow ideas which
+then prevailed. When, for instance, the sacred writers speak of the rising
+and setting of the sun, we cannot suppose they used language with
+astronomical correctness, but only according to appearances. Hence we
+ought not to be very confident, that when they employ the term <i>earth</i>,
+they meant that spherical, vast globe which astronomy proves the earth to
+be, but rather that part of it which was inhabited, which was all the idea
+that entered into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> the mind of a Jew. God might, indeed, have revealed new
+scientific as well as religious truth. But there is no evidence that in
+this way he has anticipated a single modern discovery. This would have
+been turning aside from the much more important object he had in view,
+viz., to teach the world religious truth. Such being the case, the
+language employed to describe natural phenomena must have been adapted to
+the state of knowledge among the people to whom the Scriptures were
+addressed.</p>
+
+<p>Another inference from these premises is, that there may be an apparent
+contradiction between the statements of science and revelation. Revelation
+may describe phenomena according to apparent truth, as when it speaks of
+the rising and setting of the sun, and the immobility of the earth; but
+science describes the same according to the actual truth, as when it gives
+a real motion to the earth, and only an apparent motion to the heavens.
+Had the language of revelation been scientifically accurate, it would have
+defeated the object for which the Scriptures were given; for it must have
+anticipated scientific discovery, and therefore have been unintelligible
+to those ignorant of such discoveries. Or if these had been explained by
+inspiration, the Bible would have become a text-book in natural science,
+rather than a guide to eternal life.</p>
+
+<p>The final conclusion from these principles is, that since science and
+revelation treat of the same subjects only incidentally, we ought only to
+expect that the facts of science, rightly understood, should not
+contradict the statements of revelation, correctly interpreted. Apparent
+discrepancies there may be; and it would not be strange, if for a time
+they should seem to be real; either because science has not fully and
+accurately disclosed the facts, or the Bible is not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> correctly
+interpreted; but if both records are from God, there can be no real
+contradiction between them. But, on the other hand, we have no reason to
+expect any remarkable coincidences, because the general subject and object
+of the two records are so unlike. Should such coincidences occur, however,
+they will render it less probable that any apparent disagreement is real.</p>
+
+<p>If the positions taken in these preliminary remarks be correct, it will
+follow, that in judging of the agreement or disagreement between
+revelation and science, it is important, in the first place, that we
+rightly understand the Bible; and, in the second place, that we carefully
+ascertain what are the settled and demonstrated principles of science. An
+examination of these points will constitute the remainder of this lecture.</p>
+
+<p>The meaning of the Scriptures is to be determined in the same way as the
+meaning of any other book written in similar circumstances. Its
+inspiration puts no bar in the way of the most rigid application of the
+rules of criticism, nor renders it unnecessary to seek for light in
+whatever quarter it can be obtained. The rules of grammatical and
+rhetorical construction, the study of contemporary writers, a knowledge of
+the history, customs, opinions, and prejudices of the times, and other
+circumstances that need not be mentioned, become important means of
+attaining the true <i>usus loquendi</i>, or principle of interpretation. But I
+pass by all these on the present occasion, because no one doubts their
+importance in rightly understanding the Bible. I maintain that scientific
+discoveries furnish us with another means of its correct interpretation,
+where it describes natural phenomena. And in this position we shall not
+probably find an entire unanimity of opinion. Let us, therefore, proceed
+to examine its truth.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>It will not be denied that modern science has corrected the opinions of
+men in regard to very many natural phenomena. The same term that conveyed
+one idea to an ancient reader, or hearer, of the Bible, often conveys an
+opposite meaning to a modern ear. And yet that term may be very proper to
+use in modern times, if understood to express only apparent, and not real
+truth. The Jew understood it to mean the latter; and it would seem as if
+we might employ modern scientific discovery to enable us to decide in
+which sense the Bible did use the term. For if we admit the Jew to have
+been correct in his interpretation, then we bring revelation into direct
+collision with the demonstrations of physics.</p>
+
+<p>But facts are vastly more satisfactory in deciding this question than
+reasoning, and I shall now proceed to adduce some examples in which modern
+scientific discovery has thrown light upon the meaning of the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>For one or two examples I appeal to chemistry. In the book of Proverbs,
+(chap. 25, v. 20,) we find it said, that <i>as vinegar upon nitre, so is he
+that singeth songs to a heavy heart</i>. We should expect from this statement
+that when we put vinegar upon what we call nitre, it would produce some
+commotion analogous to the excitement of song-singing. But we should try
+the experiment in vain; for no effect whatever would be produced. Again,
+it is said by the prophet Jeremiah, (chap. 2, v. 22,) <i>Though thou wash
+thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked
+before me, saith the Lord.</i> Here, too, we should expect that the use of
+the nitre would increase the purifying power of the soap; but the
+experiment would prove rather the reverse. The chemist, however, informs
+us that there is a substance, viz., the <i>carbonate of soda</i>, which, if
+substituted for the nitre, would effervesce with vinegar, and aid the
+purifying power of soap,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> and thus strikingly illustrate the thought both
+of Solomon and Jeremiah. And on recurring to the original, we find that
+&#1499;&#1495;&#1491; (nether, <i>nitrum</i>, <i>natrum</i>) does not necessarily mean the salt
+which we call nitre, but rather a fossil alkali, the <i>natron</i> of the
+ancients, and the carbonate of soda of the moderns.</p>
+
+<p>It is probably the prevailing opinion among intelligent Christians at this
+time, and has been the opinion of many commentators, that when Peter
+describes the future destruction of the world, he means that its solid
+substance, and indeed that of the whole material universe, will be utterly
+consumed or annihilated by fire. This opinion rests upon the common belief
+that such is the effect of combustion. But chemistry informs us, that no
+case of combustion, how fiercely soever the fire may rage, annihilates the
+least particle of matter; and that fire only changes the form of
+substances. Nay, there is no reason whatever to suppose that one particle
+of matter has been annihilated since the world began. The chemist moreover
+asserts that all the solid parts of the globe have already undergone
+combustion, and that although heat may melt them, it cannot burn them. Nor
+is there any thing upon or within the earth capable of combustion, but
+vegetables, and animals, and a few gases. Has Peter, then, made a mistake
+because he did not understand modern chemistry? We have only to examine
+his language carefully, as it seems to me, in order to be satisfied that
+he means only, that whatsoever upon, or within, the earth, is combustible,
+will be burned up at the final conflagration; and that the whole globe,
+the <i>elements, will melt with fervent heat</i>. He nowhere asserts, or
+implies, that one particle of matter will be annihilated by that
+catastrophe. Thus science, instead of proving his statements to be
+erroneous, only enables us more correctly to understand them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>Scarcely any truth seems more clearly taught in the Bible than the future
+resurrection of the body. Yet this doctrine has always been met by a most
+formidable objection. It is said that the body laid in the grave is ere
+long decomposed into its elements, which are scattered over the face of
+the earth, and enter into new combinations, even forming a part of other
+human bodies. Hence not even Omnipotence can raise from the grave the
+identical body laid there, because the particles may enter successively
+into a multitude of other human bodies. I am not aware that any successful
+reply has ever been given to this objection, until chemistry and natural
+history taught us the true nature of bodily identity; and until recently
+the objector has felt sure that he had triumphed. But these sciences teach
+us that the identity of the body consists, not in a sameness of particles,
+but in the same kinds of elementary matter, combined in the same
+proportion, and having the same form and structure. Hence it is not
+necessary that the resurrection body should contain a single particle of
+the matter laid in the grave, in order to be the same body; which it will
+be if it consist of the same kinds of matter combined in the same
+proportions, and has the same form and structure. For the particles of our
+bodies are often totally changed during our lives; yet no one imagines
+that the old man has not the same body as in infancy.<small><a name="f2.1" id="f2.1" href="#f2">[2]</a></small> What but the
+principles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> of science could have thus vindicated a precious doctrine of
+revelation?</p>
+
+<p>In the description which Paul gives of the spiritual body, a
+naturalist,&mdash;and I fancy no one but a naturalist,&mdash;will discover its
+specific identity. By this I mean that it will possess peculiarities that
+distinguish it from every thing else, but which are so closely related to
+the characteristics of the natural body in this world, from which it was
+derived, that one acquainted with the latter would recognize the former.
+Hence the Christian&#8217;s friends in another world may be recognized by him
+from their external characters, just as we identify the plants and animals
+of spring with those that seemed to perish in the preceding autumn. There
+is neither time nor room for the proof of this exegesis, which is founded
+chiefly upon the principles of natural history; but for their elucidation,
+I must refer to another place.<small><a name="f3.1" id="f3.1" href="#f3">[3]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>I take my next example from meteorology. It was the opinion of the
+ancients that the earth, at a certain height, was surrounded by a
+transparent hollow sphere of solid matter, which they called the
+firmament. When rain descended, they supposed it was through windows, or
+holes, made in this crystalline curtain suspended in mid heaven. To these
+notions the language of the Bible is frequently conformed. In the account
+of the creation, in Genesis, we have a description of the formation of
+this firmament, and how it divided the waters below it, viz., the ocean,
+lakes, and rivers, from the waters above it, viz., the clouds. Again, in
+the account of the deluge, the windows of heaven are said to have been
+opened.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> But it is hardly necessary to say, that meteorology has shown
+that no such solid firmament exists over our heads; that, in fact, nothing
+but one homogeneous, transparent atmosphere encloses the earth, in which
+the clouds float at different altitudes at different times. Are we, then,
+to suppose that the sacred writers meant to teach as certain truth, the
+fiction of a solid firmament; or that on this subject they conformed their
+language to the prevailing belief, because it was not their object to
+teach philosophy, meaning neither to assert nor to deny the existence of a
+solid firmament, but using language that was optically, although not
+physically, correct, and which, therefore, conformed to the general
+belief? It is doubtful whether any thing but scientific discovery could
+enable us to decide this question. But since it is certain that the solid
+firmament does not exist, we must admit that the Bible did not intend to
+teach its existence, or allow it to teach a falsehood; and since we know
+that it does often speak, in natural things, according to apparent, and
+not real truth, it is most reasonable to give such a construction to its
+language in the present instance.</p>
+
+<p>But the most decisive example I have to give on this subject is derived
+from astronomy. Until the time of Copernicus, no opinion respecting
+natural phenomena was thought more firmly established, than that the earth
+is fixed immovably in the centre of the universe, and that the heavenly
+bodies move diurnally around it. To sustain this view, the most decided
+language of Scripture could be quoted. God is there said to have
+<i>established the foundations of the earth, so that they could not be
+removed forever</i>; and the sacred writers expressly declare that the sun
+and other heavenly bodies <i>arise and set</i>, and nowhere allude to any
+proper motion in the earth. And those statements corresponded exactly to
+the testimony of the senses. Men felt the earth to be immovably firm
+under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> their feet, and when they looked up, they saw the heavenly bodies
+in motion. What bold impiety, therefore, did it seem, even to men of
+liberal and enlightened minds, for any one to rise up and assert that all
+this testimony of the Bible and of the senses was to be set aside! It is
+easy to conceive with what strong jealousy the friends of the Bible would
+look upon the new science which was thus arraying itself in bold defiance
+of inspiration, and how its votaries would be branded as infidels in
+disguise. We need not resort to Catholic intolerance to explain how it
+was, that the new doctrine of the earth&#8217;s motion should be denounced as
+the most fatal heresy, as alike contrary to Scripture and sound
+philosophy, and that even the venerable Galileo should be forced to recant
+it upon his knees. What though the astronomer stood ready with his
+diagrams and formulas to demonstrate the motion of the earth; who would
+calmly and impartially examine the claims of a scientific discovery,
+which, by its very announcement, threw discredit upon the Bible and the
+senses, and contradicted the unanimous opinion of the wise and good,&mdash;of
+all mankind, indeed,&mdash;through all past centuries? Rather would the
+distinguished theologians of the day set their ingenuity at work to frame
+an argument in opposition to the dangerous neology, that should fall upon
+it like an avalanche, and grind it to powder. And to show you how firm and
+irresistible such an argument would seem, we need no longer tax the
+imagination; for Francis Turretin, a distinguished Protestant professor of
+theology, whose writings have even to the present day sustained no mean
+reputation, has left us an argument on the subject, compacted and arranged
+according to the nicest rules of logic, and which he supposed would stand
+unrefuted as long as the authority of the Bible should be regarded among
+men. He propounds the inquiry, &#8220;Do the sun and moon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> move in the heavens
+and revolve around the earth, while the earth remains at rest?&#8221; This he
+affirms, &#8220;in opposition to certain philosophers,&#8221; and sustains his
+position by the following arguments: &#8220;First. The sun is said [in
+Scripture] to move in the heavens, and to rise and set. (Ps. 19, v. 5.)
+The sun is <i>as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
+strong man to run a race</i>. (Ps. 104, v. 19.) <i>The sun knoweth his going
+down.</i> (Eccles. 1, v. 5.) <i>The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down.</i>
+Secondly. The sun, by a miracle, stood still in the time of Joshua.
+(Joshua, ch. 10, v. 12, 13, 14,) and by a miracle it went back in the time
+of Hezekiah. (Isa. ch. 38, v. 8.) Thirdly. The earth is said to be <i>fixed
+immovably</i>. (Ps. 93, v. 1.) <i>The world also is established, that it cannot
+be moved.</i> (Ps. 104, v. 5.) <i>Who laid the foundations of the earth, that
+it should not be removed forever.</i> (Ps. 119, v. 90, 91.) <i>Thou hast
+established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to
+thine ordinances.</i> Fourthly. Neither could birds, which often fly off
+through an hour&#8217;s circuit, be able to return to their nests; for in the
+mean time the earth would move four hundred and fifty of our miles.
+Fifthly. Whatever flies or is suspended in the air ought [by this theory]
+to move from west to east; but this is proved not to be true from birds,
+arrows shot forth, atoms made manifest in the sun, and down floating in
+the atmosphere.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>If it be replied to this reasoning that the Scripture, in natural things,
+speaks according to the common opinion, Turretin answers, &#8220;First, that the
+spirit of God best understands natural things; secondly, that, in giving
+instruction in religion, he meant these things should be used, not abused;
+thirdly, that he is not the author of any error; fourthly, neither is he
+to be corrected on this pretence by our blind reason.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>If it be replied that birds, the air, and all things are moved with the
+earth, he answers, &#8220;First, that this is a mere fiction, since air is a
+fluid body; and secondly, if so, by what force would birds be able to go
+from east to west.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Compendium Theologic&aelig; Didactico-Elenctic&aelig;</i>,
+(Amsterdam, 1695.)</p>
+
+<p>In the present state of knowledge we may smile at some of these arguments;
+but to men who had been taught to believe, as in a self-evident principle,
+that the earth was immovable and the heavenly bodies in motion, the most
+of them must have been entirely satisfactory; and especially must the
+Scriptures have seemed in <i>point blank</i> opposition to the astronomical
+heresy. What, then, has so completely annihilated this argument, that now
+the merest schoolboy would be ashamed to advocate it? The clear
+demonstrations of science have done it. Not only has the motion of the
+earth been established, but it has been made equally obvious that this
+truth is in entire harmony with the language of Scripture; so that neither
+the infidel nor the Christian ever suspect, on this ground, any collision
+between the two records. So soon as the philologist perceived that there
+was no escape from the astronomical demonstration, he was led to reexamine
+his interpretation of Scripture, and found that the whole difficulty lay
+in his assuming that the sacred writers intended to teach scientific
+instead of popular truth. Only admitting that they spoke of astronomical
+phenomena, according to appearances and in conformity to common opinion,
+and their language became perfectly proper. It conveyed no error, and is
+in fact as well adapted now as ever to the common intercourse of life.
+Yet, in consequence of the scientific discovery, that language conveys
+quite a different meaning to our minds from what it did to those who
+supposed it to teach a scientific truth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> Hence it strikingly illustrates
+the value of scientific discovery in enabling us rightly to understand the
+Bible.</p>
+
+<p>Is it necessary to quote any more examples to establish the principle that
+scientific discovery is one of the means which the philologist should
+employ in the interpretation of Scripture? And if the principle has been
+found of service in chemistry, meteorology, and astronomy, why should it
+be neglected in the case of geology? Why should not this science also,
+which has probably more important religious bearings than any other, be
+appealed to in illustration of the meaning of Scripture, when phenomena
+are described of which geology takes cognizance? I know that some will
+reply, that the principles of geology are yet too unsettled to be allowed
+to modify the interpretation of the Bible. This brings me to the second
+part of my subject, in which I am to inquire whether the principles of
+physical science, and of geology in particular, are so far settled that we
+can feel ourselves upon firm ground as we compare them with the principles
+of revelation.</p>
+
+<p>Before proceeding to this part of the subject, however, I must pause a
+moment, in order to point out another mode, in which science may
+contribute to elucidate Scripture. In the way just described, it may
+enable the interpreter more correctly to understand the language, but it
+may also give a fuller illustration to the sentiments of the Bible.
+Revelation, for instance, represents God as benevolent. Now, if we can
+derive from the records of geology striking and hitherto unthought-of
+manifestations of this attribute, we shall make the doctrine of Scripture
+more impressive; or, if we appeal to the numerous changes which the earth
+has undergone, and the vast periods which they have occupied, we find that
+the unsearchableness of divine wisdom, and the vastness of the divine
+plans, are brought more vividly before the mind, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> task its power of
+comprehension more than illustrations from any other quarter. In short,
+the principles of religion that derive important elucidation from science,
+and especially from geology, are very numerous, as I hope to show in
+subsequent lectures. But I now return to the inquiry, whether the
+principles of science, and especially of geology, are so well settled that
+we can employ them in this manner.</p>
+
+<p>As to the more mathematical sciences, there will be no one to doubt but
+some of their principles must be admitted as infallible truth; for our
+minds are so constituted that they are incapable of resisting a fair
+presentation of mathematical demonstration. Now, there is scarcely any
+physical science that is not based more or less upon mathematical truth;
+and as to the facts in those sciences, some of them are so multiplied, and
+speak so uniformly the same language, that we doubt them no more than we
+do a mathematical demonstration. Other classes of facts are less decided;
+and in some cases they are so insulated as to be regarded as anomalies, to
+be set aside until better understood. The same grades of certainty exist
+in respect to inferences from the facts of science. Some theories are
+scarcely less doubtful than mathematics; others are as strong as probable
+reasoning can make them; and others are merely plausible. Hypotheses are
+still less to be trusted, though sometimes extremely probable.</p>
+
+<p>Now, most of the physical sciences embrace facts, theories, and
+hypotheses, that range widely along the scale of probability, from decided
+demonstration to ingenious conjecture. It is easy, however, in general, to
+distinguish the demonstrated and the permanent from the conjectural and
+the fanciful; and when we bring the principles of any science into
+comparison with religion, it is chiefly the former that should be
+considered, although scientific hypothesis may sometimes be made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> to
+illustrate religious hypothesis. But, passing by all other sciences, it is
+my desire to present before you, on this occasion, the claims of geology,
+as having fundamental principles so well settled that they claim attention
+from the interpreter of the Bible. I ought, however, to remark, that there
+exists a strange jealousy of this science even among intelligent men; a
+suspicion that its votaries have jumped at strange and dangerous
+conclusions through the influence of hypothesis, and that in fact the
+whole science is little else but hypothesis, and that there is almost no
+agreement even among its ablest cultivators. It is indeed a comparatively
+recent science, and its remarkable developments have succeeded one another
+so rapidly, as to leave men in doubt whether it would not prove a dazzling
+meteor, instead of a steady and permanent luminary. When the men who are
+now in the full maturity of judgment and reason, (and whose favorable
+opinion I am, therefore, anxious above that of all others to secure,) when
+these were young, geology did not constitute a branch of finished
+education; and amid the pressure of the cares and duties of middle life,
+how few find the leisure, to say nothing of the disposition, carefully to
+investigate a new and extensive science! Even though younger men should be
+found standing forth as the advocates of geology, yet how natural for
+those more advanced to impute this to the ardor and love of novelty,
+characteristic of youth!</p>
+
+<p>There is another difficulty, in relation to this subject, that embarrasses
+me. It is not even yet generally understood that geology is a branch of
+knowledge which requires long and careful study fully to understand; that
+a previous knowledge of many other sciences is indispensable in order to
+comprehend its reasonings; that its reasonings are in fact, for the most
+part, to be mastered only by long and patient consideration;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> and finally,
+and more especially, that they will appear inconclusive and feeble, unless
+a man has become somewhat familiar with specimens of rocks and fossils,
+and has examined strata as they lie in the earth. How very imperfect must
+be the most intelligent man&#8217;s knowledge of botany, who had never examined
+any plants; or of chemistry, who had not seen any of the simple
+substances, nor experiments upon them in the laboratory; or of
+crystallography, whose eyes had perhaps never rested upon a crystal. No
+less important is it that he, who would reason correctly about rocks and
+their organic contents, should have studied rocks. But upon such an amount
+of knowledge it is no disparagement to say we have no right to presume in
+all, even of publicly educated men. Before such a state of preparation can
+exist, it is necessary that practical geology, at least, should be
+introduced into our schools of every grade, as it might be with great
+success.</p>
+
+<p>It ought to be mentioned, in this connection, that, within a few years
+past, geology has experienced several severe attacks of a peculiar
+character. Men of respectable ability, and decided friends of revelation,
+having got fully impressed with the belief that the views of geologists
+are hostile to the Bible, have set themselves to an examination of their
+writings, not so much with a view of understanding the subject, as of
+finding contradictions and untenable positions. The next step has been to
+write a book against geology, abounding, as we might expect from men of
+warm temperament, of such prejudices, and without a practical knowledge of
+geology, with striking misapprehensions of facts and opinions, with
+positive and dogmatic assertions, with severe personal insinuations, great
+ignorance of correct reasoning in geology, and the substitution of wild
+and extravagant hypotheses for geological theories.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Hence English literature has been prolific of such works as &#8220;A Comparative
+Estimate of the Mineral and Mosaic Geologies,&#8221; by Granville Penn; the
+&#8220;Geology of Scripture,&#8221; by Fairholme; &#8220;Scriptural Geology,&#8221; by Dr. Young;
+&#8220;Popular Geology subversive of Divine Revelation,&#8221; by Rev. Henry Cole;
+&#8220;Strictures on Geology and Astronomy,&#8221; by Rev. R. Wilson; &#8220;Scripture
+Evidences of Creation, and Geology, and Scripture Cosmogony,&#8221; by anonymous
+authors; and many other similar productions that might be named. The warm
+zeal displayed, and doubtless felt, by these writers for the Bible; their
+familiar reference to eminent geological authors, as if they understood
+them; the skill in philology, which they frequently exhibit; and the want
+of a wide-spread and accurate knowledge of geology in the community,&mdash;have
+given to these works a far more extensive circulation than those works
+have had, which view geology as illustrating and not opposing revelation.
+Foremost among these is the lectures of the venerable and learned Dr. John
+Pye Smith, late principal of the Homerton Divinity College, London, &#8220;On
+the Relations between the Holy Scriptures and some Parts of Geological
+Science.&#8221;<small><a name="f4.1" id="f4.1" href="#f4">[4]</a></small> This work, the result of long and patient research, and
+emanating from a man of eminent piety as well as learning, affords a full
+refutation of all the works that have been named, and in the kindness and
+candor of its spirit exhibits a fine contrast to their intolerance and
+dogmatism. In the profound works of Dr. Harris, entitled &#8220;The Pre-Adamite
+Earth,&#8221; and &#8220;Man Primeval,&#8221; the connections of geology and revelation are
+briefly but ably treated, and also its connection with natural religion.
+Quite recently, a small and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> more popular work on this subject has been
+published by Rev. David King, LL. D., of Glasgow, well worthy of
+attention. &#8220;The Course of Creation,&#8221; by Rev. John Anderson, D.D. of recent
+publication, displays much learning and candor. But the causes that have
+been mentioned have secured a much wider circulation for the class of
+works first named, than for the latter, among the religious community
+generally. The consequence is, that the public mind is possessed of many
+prejudices unfavorable to the religious bearings of geology, and
+unfavorable to an impartial examination of its claims.</p>
+
+<p>Under these circumstances, all that I can do is to state definitely what I
+apprehend to be the established principles of the science that have a
+bearing upon religious truth, and refer my hearers to standard works on
+the subject for the proof that they are true. If any will not take the
+trouble to examine the proofs, I trust they will have candor and
+impartiality enough not to deny my positions.</p>
+
+<p>The first important conclusion, to which every careful observer will come,
+is, that the rocks of all sorts, which compose the present crust of the
+globe, so far as it has been explored, at least to the depth of several
+miles, appear to have been the result of second causes; that is, they are
+now in a different state from that in which they were originally created.</p>
+
+<p>It is indeed a favorite idea with some, that all the rocks and their
+contents were created just as we now meet them, in a moment of time; that
+the supposed remains of animals and plants, which many of them contain,
+and which occur in all states, from an animal or plant little changed, to
+a complete conversion into stone, were never real animals and plants, but
+only resemblances; and that the marks of fusion and of the wearing of
+water, exhibited by the rocks, are not to be taken as evidences that they
+have undergone such processes, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> only that it has pleased God to give
+them that appearance and that in fact it was as easy for God to create
+them just as they now are as in any other form.</p>
+
+<p>It is a presumption against such a supposition, that no men, who have
+carefully examined rocks and organic remains, are its advocates. Not that
+they doubt the power of God to produce such effects, but they deny the
+probability that He has exerted it in this manner; for throughout nature,
+wherever they have an opportunity to witness her operations, they find
+that when substances appear to have undergone changes, by means of
+secondary agencies, they have in fact undergone them; and, therefore, the
+whole analogy of nature goes to prove that the rocks have experienced
+great changes since their deposition. If rocks are an exception to the
+rest of nature,&mdash;that is, if they are the effect of miraculous
+agency,&mdash;there is no proof of it; and to admit it without proof is to
+destroy all grounds of analogical reasoning in natural operations; in
+other words, it is to remove the entire basis of reasoning in physical
+science. Every reasonable man, therefore, who has examined rocks, will
+admit that they have undergone important changes since their original
+formation.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, the same general laws appear to have always prevailed
+on the globe, and to have controlled the changes which have taken place
+upon and within it. We come to no spot, in the history of the rocks, in
+which a system different from that which now prevails appears to have
+existed. Great peculiarities in the structure of animals and plants do
+indeed occur, as well as changes on a scale of magnitude unknown at
+present; but this was only a wise adaptation to peculiar circumstances,
+and not an infringement of the general laws.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, the geological changes which the earth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> has undergone,
+and is now undergoing, appear to have been the result of the same
+agencies, viz., heat and water.</p>
+
+<p>Fourthly. It is demonstrated that the present continents of the globe,
+with perhaps the exception of some of their highest mountains, have for a
+long period constituted the bottom of the ocean, and have been
+subsequently either elevated into their present position, or the waters
+have been drained off from their surface. This is probably the most
+important principle in geology; and though regarded with much scepticism
+by many, it is as satisfactorily proved as any principle of physical
+science not resting on mathematical demonstration.</p>
+
+<p>Fifthly. The internal parts of the earth are found to possess a very high
+temperature; nor can it be doubted that at least oceans of melted matter
+exist beneath the crust, and perhaps even all the deep-seated interior is
+in a state of fusion.</p>
+
+<p>Sixthly. The fossiliferous rocks, or such as contain animals and plants,
+are not less than six or seven miles in perpendicular thickness, and are
+composed of hundreds of alternating layers of different kinds, all of
+which appear to have been deposited, just as rocks are now forming, at the
+bottom of lakes and seas; and hence their deposition must have occupied an
+immense period of time. Even if we admit that this deposition went on in
+particular places much faster than at present, a variety of facts forbids
+the supposition that this was the general mode of their formation.</p>
+
+<p>Seventhly. The remains of animals and plants found in the earth are not
+mingled confusedly together, but are found arranged, for the most part, in
+as much order as the drawers of a well-regulated cabinet. In general, they
+appear to have lived and died on or near the spots where they are now
+found; and as countless millions of these remains are often found piled
+together, so as to form almost entire mountains, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> periods requisite
+for their formation must have been immensely long, as was taught in the
+preceding proposition.</p>
+
+<p>Eighthly. Still further confirmation of the same important principle is
+found in the well-established fact, that there have been upon the globe,
+previous to the existing races, not less than five distinct periods of
+organized existence; that is, five great groups of animals and plants, so
+completely independent that no species whatever is found in more than one
+of them, have lived and successively passed away before the creation of
+the races that now occupy the surface. Other standard writers make the
+number of these periods of existence as many as twelve. Comparative
+anatomy testifies that so unlike in structure were these different groups,
+that they could not have co&euml;xisted in the same climate and other external
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Ninthly. In the earliest times in which animals and plants lived, the
+climate over the whole globe appears to have been as warm as, or even
+warmer than, it is now between the tropics. And the slow change from
+warmer to colder appears to have been the chief cause of the successive
+destruction of the different races; and new ones were created, better
+adapted to the altered condition of the globe; and yet each group seems to
+have occupied the globe through a period of great length, so that we have
+here another evidence of the vast cycles of duration that must have rolled
+away even since the earth became a habitable globe.</p>
+
+<p>Tenthly. There is no small reason to suppose that the globe underwent
+numerous changes previous to the time when animals were placed upon it;
+that, in fact, the time was when the whole matter of the earth was in a
+melted state, and not improbably also even in a gaseous state. These
+points, indeed, are not as well established as the others that have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>
+mentioned; but, if admitted, they give to the globe an incalculable
+antiquity.</p>
+
+<p>Eleventhly. It appears that the present condition of the earth&#8217;s crust and
+surface was of comparatively recent commencement; otherwise the steep
+flanks of mountains would have ceased to crumble down, and wide oceans
+would have been filled with alluvial deposits.</p>
+
+<p>Twelfthly. Among the thirty thousand species of animals and plants found
+in the rocks,<small><a name="f5.1" id="f5.1" href="#f5">[5]</a></small> very few living species have been detected; and even
+these few occur in the most recent rocks, while in the secondary group,
+not less than six miles thick, not a single species now on the globe has
+been discovered. Hence the present races did not exist till after those in
+the secondary rocks had died. No human remains have been found below those
+alluvial deposits which are now forming by rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
+Hence geology infers that man was one of the latest animals that was
+placed on the globe.</p>
+
+<p>Thirteenthly. The surface of the earth has undergone an enormous amount of
+erosion by the action of the ocean, the rivers, and the atmosphere. The
+ocean has worn away the solid rock, in some parts of the world, not less
+than ten thousand feet in depth, and rivers have cut channels through the
+hardest strata, hundreds of feet deep and several miles long; both of
+which effects demand periods inconceivably long.</p>
+
+<p>Fourteenthly. At a comparatively recent date, northern and southern
+regions have been swept over and worn down by the joint action of ice and
+water, the force in general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> having been directed towards the equator.
+This is called the <i>drift</i> period.</p>
+
+<p>Fifteenthly. Since the drift period, the ocean has stood some thousands of
+feet above its present level in many countries.</p>
+
+<p>Sixteenthly. There is evidence, in regard to some parts of the world, that
+the continents are now experiencing slow vertical movements&mdash;some places
+sinking, and others rising. And hence a presumption is derived that, in
+early times, such changes may have been often repeated, and on a great
+scale.</p>
+
+<p>Seventeenthly. Every successive change of importance on the earth&#8217;s
+surface appears to have been an improvement of its condition, adapting it
+to beings of a higher organization, and to man at last, the most perfect
+of all.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. The present races of animals and plants on the globe are for the
+most part disposed in groups, occupying particular districts, beyond whose
+limits the species peculiar to those provinces usually droop and die. The
+same is true, to some extent, as to the animals and plants found in the
+rocks; though the much greater uniformity of climate, that prevailed in
+early times, permitted organized beings to take a much wider range than at
+present; so that the zo&ouml;logical and botanical districts were then probably
+much wider. But the general conclusion, in respect to living and extinct
+animals, is, that there must have been several centres of creation, from
+which they emigrated as far as their natures would allow them to range.</p>
+
+<p>It would be easy to state more principles of geology of considerable
+importance; but I have now named the principal ones that bear upon the
+subject of religion. A brief statement of the leading truths of theology,
+whether natural or revealed, which these principles affect, and on which
+they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> cast light, will give an idea of the subjects which I propose to
+discuss in these lectures.</p>
+
+<p>The first point relates to the age of the world. For while it has been the
+usual interpretation of the Mosaic account, that the world was brought
+into existence nearly at the same time with man and the other existing
+animals, geology throws back its creation to a period indefinitely but
+immeasurably remote. The question is not whether man has existed on the
+globe longer than the common interpretation of Genesis requires,&mdash;for here
+geology and the Bible speak the same language,&mdash;but whether the globe
+itself did not exist long before his creation; that is, long before the
+six days&#8217; work, so definitely described in the Mosaic account? In other
+words, is not this a case in which the discoveries of science enable us
+more accurately to understand the Scriptures?</p>
+
+<p>The introduction of death into the world, and the specific character of
+that death described in Scripture as the consequence of sin, are the next
+points where geology touches the subject of religion. Here, too, the
+general interpretation of Scripture is at variance with the facts of
+geology, which distinctly testify to the occurrence of death among animals
+long before the existence of man. Shall geology here, also, be permitted
+to modify our exposition of the Bible?</p>
+
+<p>The subject of deluges, and especially that of Noah, will next claim our
+attention. For though it is now generally agreed that geology cannot
+detect traces of such a deluge as the Scriptures describe, yet upon some
+other bearings of that subject it does cast light; and so remarkable is
+the history of opinions concerning the Noachian deluge, that it could not
+on that account alone be properly passed in silence.</p>
+
+<p>It is well known that the philosophy of antiquity, almost without
+exception, regarded matter as eternal; and in modern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> times, metaphysical
+theology has done its utmost to refute the supposed dangerous dogma.
+Geology affords us some new views of the subject; and although it does not
+directly refute the doctrine, it brings before us facts of such a nature
+as to show, that, so far as religion is concerned, such a refutation is of
+little importance. This will furnish another theme of discussion.</p>
+
+<p>It may be thought extravagant, but I hazard the assertion, that no science
+is so prolific of direct testimony to the benevolence of the Deity as
+geology; and some of its facts bear strongly upon the objections to this
+doctrine. So important a subject will, therefore, occupy at least one or
+two lectures.</p>
+
+<p>In all ages, philosophers have, in one form or another, endeavored to
+explain the origin and the phenomena of creation by a power inherent in
+nature, independent of a personal Deity, usually denominated <i>natural
+law</i>. And in modern times this hypothesis has assumed a popular form and a
+plausible dress. Not less than one lecture is demanded for its
+examination, especially as its advocates appeal with special confidence to
+geology for its support.</p>
+
+<p>In existing nature, no one fact stands out more prominently than unity of
+design; and it is an interesting inquiry, whether the same general system
+prevailed through the vast periods of geological history as that which now
+adorns our globe. This question I shall endeavor to answer in the
+affirmative, by appealing to a multitude of facts.</p>
+
+<p>Another question of deep interest in theology is, whether the Deity
+exercises over the world any special providence; whether he ever
+interferes with the usual order of things by introducing change; or
+whether he has committed nature to the control of unalterable laws,
+without any direct efficiency. Light is thrown on these points by the
+researches of geology,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> if I mistake not; and I shall not fail to attempt
+its development.</p>
+
+<p>This science also discloses to us many new views of the vast plans of the
+Deity, and thus enlarges our conceptions of his wisdom and knowledge. In
+this field we must allow ourselves to wander in search of the golden
+fruit.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the discussion, we shall direct our attention to the new
+heavens and the new earth described in the Bible, and inquire whether
+geology does not cast a glimpse of light upon that difficult subject.</p>
+
+<p>In approaching the close of our subject, we shall introduce a few lectures
+having a wider range, and deriving less elucidation from geology than from
+other sciences. One is a consideration of the physical effects of human
+actions upon the universe. And in conclusion of the whole subject, we
+shall endeavor to show that the bearings of all science, when rightly
+understood, are eminently favorable to religion, both in this world and
+the next.</p>
+
+<p>With a few miscellaneous inferences from the principles advanced, I shall
+close this lecture.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, we see that the points of connection between geology
+and religion are numerous and important. A few years since, geology,
+instead of being appealed to for the illustration of religious truth, was
+regarded with great jealousy, as a repository of views favorable to
+infidelity, and even to atheism. But if the summary which I have exhibited
+of its religious relations be correct, from what other science can we
+obtain so many illustrations of natural and revealed religion?
+Distinguished Christian writers are beginning to gather fruit in this new
+field, and the clusters already presented us by such men as Dr. Chalmers,
+Dr. Pye Smith, Dr. Buckland, Dr. Harris, and Dr. King, are an earnest of
+an abundant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> harvest. I hazard the prediction that the time is not far
+distant when it will be said of this, as of another noble science, &#8220;The
+undevout <i>geologist</i> is mad.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. I would bespeak the candid attention of those sceptical minds,
+that are ever ready to imagine discrepancies between science and religion,
+to the views which I am about to present. The number of such is indeed
+comparatively small; yet there are still some prepared to seize upon every
+new scientific fact, before it is fully developed, that can be made to
+assume the appearance of opposition to religion. It is strange that they
+should not ere this time despair of making any serious impression upon the
+citadel of Christianity. For of all the numerous assaults of this kind
+that have been made, not one has destroyed even an outpost of religion.
+Just so soon as the subject was fully understood, every one of them has
+been abandoned; and even the most violent unbeliever never thinks, at the
+present day, of arraying them against the Bible. One needs no prophetic
+inspiration to be confident that every geological objection to
+Christianity, which perhaps now and then an unbeliever of limited
+knowledge still employs, will pass into the same limbo of forgetfulness.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. I would throw out a caution to those friends of religion who are
+very fearful that the discoveries of science will prove injurious to
+Christianity. Why should the enlightened Christian, who has a correct idea
+of the firm foundation on which the Bible rests, fear that any disclosures
+of the arcana of nature should shake its authority or weaken its
+influence? Is not the God of revelation the God of nature also? and must
+not his varied works tend to sustain and elucidate, instead of weakening
+and darkening, one another? Has Christianity suffered because the
+Copernican system of astronomy has proved true, or because chemistry has
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>demonstrated that the earth is already for the most part oxidized, and
+therefore cannot literally be burned hereafter? Just as much as gold
+suffers by passing through the furnace. Yet how many fears agitated the
+hearts of pious men when these scientific truths were first announced! The
+very men who felt so strong a conviction of the truth of the Bible, that
+they were ready to go to the stake in its defence, have trembled and
+uttered loud notes of warning when the votaries of science have brought
+out some new fact, that seemed perhaps at first, or when partially
+understood, to contravene some statement of revelation. The effect has
+been to make sceptical minds look with suspicion, and sometimes with
+contempt, upon Christianity itself. It has built up a wall of separation
+between science and religion, which is yet hardly broken down. For
+notwithstanding the instructive history of the past on this subject,
+although every supposed discrepancy between philosophy and religion has
+vanished as soon as both were thoroughly understood, yet so soon as
+geology began to develop her marvellous truths, the cry of danger to
+religion became again the watchword, and the precursor of a more extended
+and severe attack upon that science than any other has ever experienced,
+and the prelude, I am sorry to say, of severe personal charges of
+infidelity against many an honest friend of religion.</p>
+
+<p>In contrast to the contracted views and groundless fears that have been
+described, it is refreshing to meet with such sentiments as the following,
+from men eminent for learning, and some of them veterans in theological
+science. With these I close this lecture.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Those rocks which stand forth in the order of their formation,&#8221; says Dr.
+Chalmers, &#8220;and are each imprinted with their own peculiar fossil remains,
+have been termed the archives of nature, where she hath recorded the
+changes that have taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> place in the history of the globe. They are made
+to serve the purpose of scrolls or inscriptions, on which we might read of
+those great steps and successions by which the earth has been brought into
+its present state; and should these archives of nature be but truly
+deciphered, we are not afraid of their being openly confronted with the
+archives of revelation. It is unmanly to blink the approach of light, from
+whatever quarter of observation it may fall upon us; and those are not the
+best friends of Christianity, who feel either dislike or alarm when the
+torch of science, or the torch of history, is held up to the Bible. For
+ourselves, we are not afraid when the eye of an intrepid, if it be only a
+sound philosophy, scrutinizes, however jealously, all its pages. We have
+no dread of any apprehended conflict between the doctrines of Scripture
+and the discoveries of science, persuaded, as we are, that whatever story
+the geologists of our day shall find engraven on the volume of nature, it
+will only accredit that story which is graven on the volume of
+revelation.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Chalmers&#8217;s Works</i>, vol. ii. p. 227.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;For our own part,&#8221; says Rev. Henry Melville, &#8220;we have no fears that any
+discoveries of science will really militate against the disclosures of
+Scripture. We remember how, in darker days, ecclesiastics set themselves
+against philosophers who were investigating the motions of the heavenly
+bodies, apprehensive that the new theories were at variance with the
+Bible, and therefore resolved to denounce them as heresies, and stop their
+spread by persecution. But truth triumphed; bigotry and ignorance could
+not long prevail to the hiding from the world the harmonious walkings of
+stars and planets; and ever since, the philosophy which laid open the
+wonders of the universe hath proved herself the handmaid of revelation,
+which divulged secrets far beyond her gaze. And thus,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> we are persuaded,
+shall it always be; science may scale new heights and explore new depths,
+but she shall bring back nothing from her daring and successful excursions
+which will not, when rightly understood, yield a fresh tribute of
+testimony to the Bible. Infidelity may watch her progress with eagerness,
+exulting in the thought that she is furnishing facts with which the
+Christian system may be strongly assailed; but the champions of revelation
+may confidently attend her in every march, assured that she will find
+nothing which contradicts, if it do not actually confirm, the word which
+they know to be divine.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Sermons, 2d Am. edit.</i> vol. ii. p. 298.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall it then any longer be said,&#8221; says Dr. Buckland, &#8220;that a science,
+which unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God,
+can reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient
+auxiliary and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be, whom
+timidity, or prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its
+evidence; who are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the extent and
+magnitude, of the views which geology forces on their attention, and who
+would rather have kept closed the volume of witness, which has been sealed
+up for ages, beneath the surface of the earth, than impose upon the
+student in natural theology the duty of studying its contents;&mdash;a duty in
+which, for lack of experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or a
+laborious task, but which, by those engaged in it, is found to afford a
+rational, and righteous, and delightful exercise of their highest
+faculties, in multiplying the evidences of the existence, and attributes,
+and providence of God.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It follows then,&#8221; says Dr. J. Pye Smith, &#8220;as a universal truth, that the
+Bible, faithfully interpreted, erects no bar against the most free and
+extensive investigation, the most comprehensive and searching induction.
+Let but the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>investigation be sufficient, and the induction honest; let
+observation take its farthest flight; let experiment penetrate into all
+the recesses of nature; let the veil of ages be lifted up from all that
+has been hitherto unknown,&mdash;if such a course were possible, religion need
+not fear; Christianity is secure, and true science will always pay homage
+to the divine Creator and Sovereign, <i>of whom, and through whom, and to
+whom are all things; and unto whom be glory forever</i>.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Lectures on
+Scripture and Geology, 4th London edit.</i> p. 223.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_II" id="LECTURE_II"></a>LECTURE II.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH&#8217;S CREATION UNREVEALED.</span></p>
+
+<p>The Mosaic account of the creation of the universe has always been
+celebrated for its sublime simplicity. Though the subject be one of
+unparalleled grandeur, the writer makes not the slightest effort at
+rhetorical embellishment, but employs language which a mere child cannot
+misapprehend. How different, in this respect, is this inspired record from
+all uninspired efforts that have been made to describe the origin of the
+world!</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding the great simplicity and clearness of this
+description, its precise meaning has occasioned as much discussion as
+almost any passage of Scripture. This results chiefly from its great
+brevity. Men with different views of inspiration, cosmogony, and
+philosophy, engage in its examination, not so much to ascertain its
+meaning, as to find out whether it teaches their favorite speculative
+views; and because it says nothing about them, they attempt to fasten
+those views upon it, and thus make it teach a great deal more than the
+mind of the Spirit. My simple object, at this time, is to ascertain
+whether the Bible fixes the time when the universe was created out of
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>The prevalent opinion, until recently, has been, that we are there taught
+that the world began to exist on the first of the six days of creation, or
+about six thousand years ago. Geologists, however, with one voice, declare
+that their science<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> indicates the earth to have been of far higher
+antiquity. The question becomes, therefore, of deep interest, whether the
+common interpretation of the Mosaic record is correct.</p>
+
+<p>Let us, in the first place, examine carefully the terms of that record;
+without reference to any of the conclusions of science.</p>
+
+<p>A preliminary inquiry, however, will here demand attention, to which I
+have already given some thoughts in the first lecture. The inquiry relates
+to the mode in which the sacred writers describe natural phenomena.</p>
+
+<p>Do they adapt their descriptions to the views and feelings of
+philosophers, or even the common people, in the nineteenth century, or to
+the state of knowledge and the prevalent opinions of a people but slightly
+removed from barbarism?</p>
+
+<p>Do they write as if they meant to correct the notions of men on natural
+subjects, when they knew them to be wrong; or as if they did not mean to
+decide whether the popular opinion were true or false? These points have
+been examined with great skill and candor by a venerable clergyman of
+England, whose praise is in all the American churches, and whose skill in
+sacred philology, and profound acquaintance with the Bible, none will
+question, any more than they will his deep-toned piety and enlarged and
+liberal views of men and things. I refer to Dr. J. Pye Smith, lately at
+the head of the Homerton Divinity College, near London.<small><a name="f6.1" id="f6.1" href="#f6">[6]</a></small></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>He first examines the style in which the Old Testament describes the
+character and operations of Jehovah, and shows that it is done &#8220;in
+language borrowed from the bodily and mental constitution of man, and from
+those opinions concerning the works of God in the natural world, which
+were generally received by the people to whom the blessings of revelation
+were granted.&#8221; Constant reference is made to material images, and to human
+feelings and conduct, as if the people addressed were almost incapable of
+spiritual and abstract ideas. This, of course, gives a notion of God
+infinitely beneath the glories of his character; but to uncultivated minds
+it was the only representation of his character that would give them any
+idea of it. Nay, even in this enlightened age, such descriptions are far
+more impressive than any other upon the mass of mankind; while those,
+whose minds are more enlightened, find no difficulty in inculcating the
+pure truth respecting God from these comparatively gross descriptions.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if, upon a point of such vast importance as the divine character,
+revelation, thus condescends to human weakness and ignorance, much more
+might we expect it, in regard to the less important subject of natural
+phenomena. We find, accordingly, that they are described as they appear to
+the common eye, and not in their real nature; or, in the language of
+Rosenmuller, the Scriptures speak &#8220;according to optical, and not physical
+truth.&#8221; They make no effort to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> correct even the grossest errors, on these
+subjects, that then prevailed.</p>
+
+<p>The earth, as we have seen on a former occasion, is described as
+immovable, in the centre of the universe, and the heavenly bodies as
+revolving round it diurnally. The firmament over us is represented as a
+solid, extended substance, sustaining an ocean above it, with openings, or
+windows, through which the waters may descend. In respect to the human
+system, the Scriptures refer intellectual operations to the reins, or the
+region of the kidneys, and pain to the bones. In short, the descriptions
+of natural things are adapted to the very erroneous notions which
+prevailed in the earliest ages of society and among the common people. But
+it is as easy to interpret such descriptions in conformity to the present
+state of physical science, as it is to divest the scriptural
+representations of the Deity of their material dress, and make them
+conform to the spiritual views that now prevail. No one regards it as any
+objection to the Old Testament, that it gives a description of the divine
+character so much less spiritual than the views adopted by the theologians
+of the nineteenth century; why then should they regard it as derogatory to
+inspiration to adopt the same method as to natural objects?</p>
+
+<p>These considerations will afford us some assistance in rightly
+interpreting the description of the creation, in the first chapter of
+Genesis, to which we will now turn our attention.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was
+without form and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the
+Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there
+be light, and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good. And
+God divided the light from the darkness, and the light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> he called day, and
+the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the
+first day.</i></p>
+
+<p>The first question that arises, on reading this passage, is, whether the
+creation here described was a creation out of nothing, or out of
+pre&euml;xisting materials. The latter opinion has been maintained by some
+able, and generally judicious commentators and theologians, such as
+Doederlin and Dathe in Germany, Milton in England, and Bush and Schmucker
+in this country. They do not deny that the Bible, in other places, teaches
+distinctly the creation of the universe out of nothing. But they contend
+that the word translated <i>to create</i>, in the first verse of Genesis,
+teaches only a renovation, or remodelling, of the universe from matter
+already in existence.</p>
+
+<p>That there is a degree of ambiguity in all languages, in the words that
+signify to <i>create</i>, to <i>make</i>, to <i>form</i>, and the like, cannot be
+doubted; that is, these words may be properly used to describe the
+production of a substance out of matter already in existence, as well as
+out of nothing; and, therefore, we must resort to the context, or the
+nature of the subject, to ascertain in which of those senses such words
+are used. The same word, for instance, (<i>bawraw</i>,) that is used in the
+first verse of Genesis, to describe the creation of the universe, is
+employed in the 27th verse of the same chapter, to describe the formation
+of man out of the dust of the earth. There was, however, no peculiar
+ambiguity in the use of the Hebrew words <i>bawraw</i> and <i>awsaw</i>, which
+correspond to our words <i>create</i> and <i>make</i>; and, therefore, it is not
+necessary to be an adept in Hebrew literature to judge of the question
+under consideration. We have only to determine whether the translation of
+the Mosaic account of the creation most reasonably teaches a production of
+the matter of the universe from nothing, or only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> its renovation, and we
+have decided what is taught in the original.</p>
+
+<p>Now, there can hardly be a doubt but Moses intended to teach, in this
+passage, that the universe owed its origin to Jehovah, and not to the
+idols of the heathen; and since all acknowledge that other parts of
+Scripture teach, that, when the world was made, it was produced out of
+nothing, why should we not conclude that the same truth is taught in this
+passage? The language certainly will bear that meaning; indeed, it is
+almost as strong as language can be to express such a meaning; and does
+not the passage look like a distinct avowal of this great truth, at the
+very commencement of the inspired record, in order to refute the opinion,
+so prevalent in early times, that the world is eternal?</p>
+
+<p>The next inquiry concerning the passage relates to the phrase <i>the heavens
+and the earth</i>. Does it comprehend the universe? So it must have been
+understood by the Jews; for their language could not furnish a more
+comprehensive phrase to designate the universe. True, these words, like
+those already considered, are used sometimes in a limited sense. But in
+this place their broadest signification is in perfect accordance with the
+scope of the passage and with the whole tenor of the Scripture. We may,
+therefore, conclude with much certainty, that God intended in this place
+to declare the great truth, that there was a time in past eternity when
+the whole material universe came into existence at his irresistible
+fiat:&mdash;a truth eminently proper to stand at the head of a divine
+revelation.</p>
+
+<p>But when did this stupendous event occur? Does the phrase <i>in the
+beginning</i> show us when? Surely not; for no language can be more
+indefinite as to time. Whenever it is used in the Bible, it merely
+designates the commencement of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> the series of events, or the periods of
+time, that are described. <i>In the beginning was the word</i>; that is, at the
+commencement of things the word was in existence; consequently was from
+eternity. But in Genesis the act of creation is represented by this phrase
+simply as the commencement of the material universe, at a certain point of
+time in past eternity, which is not chronologically fixed. The first verse
+merely informs us, that the first act of the Deity in relation to the
+universe was the creation of the heavens and the earth out of nothing.</p>
+
+<p>It is contended, however, that the first verse is so connected with the
+six days&#8217; work of creation, related in the subsequent verse, that we must
+understand the phrase <i>in the beginning</i> as the commencement of the first
+day. This is the main point to be examined in relation to the passage, and
+therefore deserves a careful consideration.</p>
+
+<p>If the first verse must be understood as a summary account of the six
+days&#8217; work which follows in detail, then <i>the beginning</i> was the
+commencement of the first day, and of course only about six thousand years
+ago. But if it may be understood as an announcement of the act of creation
+at some indefinite point in past duration, then a period may have
+intervened between that first creative act and the subsequent six days&#8217;
+work. I contend that the passage admits of either interpretation, without
+any violence to the language or the narration.</p>
+
+<p>The first of these interpretations is the one usually received, and,
+therefore, it will be hardly necessary to attempt to show that it is
+admissible. The second has had fewer advocates, and will, therefore, need
+to be examined.</p>
+
+<p>The particle <i>and</i>, which is used in our translation of this passage to
+connect the successive sentences, furnishes an argument to the English
+reader against this second mode of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> interpretation, which has far less
+force with one acquainted with the original Hebrew. The particle thus
+translated is the general connecting particle of the Hebrew language, and
+&#8220;may be copulative, or disjunctive, or adversative; or it may express a
+mere annexation to a former topic of discourse,&mdash;the connection being only
+that of the subject matter, or the continuation of the composition. This
+continuative use forms one of the most marked peculiarities of the Hebrew
+idiom, and it comprehends every variety of mode in which one train of
+sentiment may be appended to another.&#8221;&mdash;J. Pye Smith, <i>Scrip. and Geol.</i>
+p. 195, 4th edit.</p>
+
+<p>In the English Bible this particle is usually rendered by the copulative
+conjunction <i>and</i>; in the Septuagint, and in Josephus, however, it
+sometimes has the sense of <i>but</i>. And some able commentators are of
+opinion that it admits of a similar translation in the passage under
+consideration. The elder Rosenmuller says we might read it thus: &#8220;<i>In the
+beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Afterwards the earth was
+desolate</i>,&#8221; &amp;c. Or the particle <i>afterwards</i> may be placed at the
+beginning of any of the succeeding verses. Thus, In the beginning God
+created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was desolate, and
+darkness was upon the face of the waters. <i>Afterwards</i> the Spirit of God
+moved upon the face of the waters. Dr. Dathe, who has been styled, by good
+authority, (Dr. Smith,) &#8220;a cautious and judicious critic,&#8221; renders the
+first two verses in this manner: &#8220;In the beginning God created the heavens
+and the earth; but afterwards the earth became waste and desolate.&#8221; If
+such translations as these be admissible, the passage not only allows, but
+expressly teaches, that a period intervened between the first act of
+creation and the six days&#8217; work. And if such an interval be allowed, it is
+all that geology requires to reconcile its facts to revelation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> For
+during that time, all the changes of mineral constitution and organic
+life, which that science teaches to have taken place on the globe,
+previous to the existence of man, may have occurred.</p>
+
+<p>It is a presumption in favor of such an interpretation that the second
+verse describes the state of the globe after its creation and before the
+creation of light. For if there were no interval between the fiat that
+called matter into existence, and that which said, <i>Let there be light</i>,
+why should such a description of the earth&#8217;s waste and desolate condition
+be given?</p>
+
+<p>But if there had been such an intervening period, it is perfectly natural
+that such a description should precede the history of successive creative
+acts, by which the world was adorned with light and beauty, and filled
+with inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>But, after all, would such an interpretation have ever been thought of,
+had not the discoveries of geology seemed to demand it?</p>
+
+<p>This can be answered by inquiring whether any of the writers on the Bible,
+who lived before geology existed, or had laid claims for a longer period
+previous to man&#8217;s creation, whether any of these adopted such an
+interpretation. We have abundant evidence that they did. Many of the early
+fathers of the church were very explicit on this subject. Augustin,
+Theodoret, and others, supposed that the first verse of Genesis describes
+the creation of matter distinct from, and prior to, the work of six days.
+Justin Martyr and Gregory Nazianzen believed in an indefinite period
+between the creation of matter and the subsequent arrangement of all
+things. Still more explicit are Basil, C&aelig;sarius, and Origen. It would be
+easy to quote similar opinions from more modern writers, who lived
+previous to the developments of geology. But I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> will give a paragraph from
+Bishop Patrick only, who wrote one hundred and fifty years ago.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How long,&#8221; says he, &#8220;all things continued in mere confusion after the
+chaos was created, before light was extracted from it, we are not told. It
+might have been, for any thing that is here revealed, a great while; and
+all that time the mighty Spirit was making such motions in it, as
+prepared, disposed, and ripened every part of it for such productions as
+were to appear successively in such spaces of time as are here afterwards
+mentioned by Moses, who informs us, that after things were digested and
+made ready (by long fermentation perhaps) to be wrought into form, God
+produced every day, for six days together, some creature or other, till
+all was finished, of which light was the very first.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Commentary, in
+loco.</i></p>
+
+<p>Such evidence as this is very satisfactory. For at the present day one
+cannot but fear that the discoveries of geology may too much influence him
+insensibly to put a meaning upon Scripture which would never have been
+thought of, if not suggested by those discoveries, and which the language
+cannot bear. But those fathers of the church cannot be supposed under the
+influence of any such bias; and, therefore, we may suppose the passage in
+itself to admit of the existence of a long period between the beginning
+and the first demiurgic day.</p>
+
+<p>Against these views philologists have urged several objections not to be
+despised. One is, that light did not exist till the first day, and the sun
+and other luminaries not till the fourth day; whereas the animals and
+plants dug from the rocks could not have existed without light. They could
+not, therefore, have lived in the supposed long period previous to the six
+days.</p>
+
+<p>If it be indeed true, that light was not called into existence till the
+first day, nor the sun till the fourth, this objection is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> probably
+insuperable. But it would be easy to cite the opinions of many
+distinguished and most judicious expounders of the Bible, showing that the
+words of the Hebrew original do not signify a literal creation of the sun,
+moon, and stars, on the fourth day, but only constituting or appointing
+them, at that time, to be luminaries, and to furnish standards for the
+division of time and other purposes.</p>
+
+<p>The word used is not the same as that employed in the first verse to
+describe the creation of the world; and the passage, rightly understood,
+implies the previous existence of the heavenly bodies. &#8220;The words
+&#1502;&#1456;&#1488;&#1465;&#1491;&#1514; &#1491;&#1456;&#1495;&#1434;&#1491;
+are not to be separated from the rest,&#8221; says Rosenmuller, &#8220;or to be
+rendered <i>fiant luminaria</i>, let there be light; i. e., <i>let light be
+made</i>; but rather, <i>let lights be</i>; that is, serve, in the expanse of
+heaven, for distinguishing between day and night; and let them be, or
+serve, for signs,&#8221; &amp;c. &#8220;The historian speaks (v. 16, end) of the
+determination of the stars to certain uses, which they were to render to
+the earth, and not of their first formation.&#8221; In like manner we may
+suppose that the production of light was only rendering it visible to the
+earth, over which darkness hitherto brooded; not because no light was in
+existence, but because it did not shine upon the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Another objection to this interpretation is, that the fourth commandment
+of the decalogue expressly declares, that <i>in six days the Lord made
+heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is</i>, &amp;c., and thus cuts
+off the idea of a long period intervening between the <i>beginning</i> and the
+six days. I acknowledge that this argument carries upon the face of it a
+good deal of strength; but there are some considerations that seem to me
+to show it to be not entirely demonstrative.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, it is a correct principle of interpreting language,
+that when a writer describes an event in more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> one place, the briefer
+statement is to be explained by the more extended one. Thus, in the second
+chapter of Genesis, we have this brief account of the creation: <i>These are
+the generations of the heavens and of the earth, when they were created,
+in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.</i></p>
+
+<p>Now, if this were the only description of the work of creation on record,
+the inference would be very fair that it was all completed in a single
+day.</p>
+
+<p>Yet when we turn to the first chapter, we find the work prolonged through
+six days. The two statements are not contradictory; but the briefer one
+would not be understood without the more detailed. In like manner, if we
+should find it distinctly stated in the particular account of the creation
+of the universe, in the first chapter of Genesis, that a long period
+actually intervened between the beginning and the six days, who would
+suppose the statement a contradiction to the fourth commandment? It is
+true, we do not find such a fact distinctly announced in the Mosaic
+account of the creation. But suppose we first learn that it did exist from
+geology; why should we not be as ready to admit it as if stated in
+Genesis, provided it does not contradict any thing therein recorded? For
+illustration: let us refer to the account given in Exodus of the parents
+of Moses and their family. <i>And there went a man of the name of Levi, and
+took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived and bare a son,</i>
+(that is, Moses,) <i>and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid
+him three months.</i> (Ex. ii. 12.) Suppose, now, that no other account
+existed in the Bible of the family of this Levite; we could not surely
+have suspected that Moses had an elder brother and sister. But imagine the
+Bible silent on the subject, and that the fact was first brought to light
+in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics in the nineteenth century; who
+could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> hesitate to admit its truth because omitted in the Pentateuch? or
+who would regard it in opposition to the sacred record? With equal
+propriety may we admit, on proper geological evidence, the intercalation
+of a long period between the beginning and the six days, if satisfied that
+it does not contradict the Mosaic account. Hence all that is necessary, in
+this connection, for me to show, is, that such contradictions would not be
+made out by such a discovery.</p>
+
+<p>Once more: if this long period had existed, we should hardly have expected
+an allusion to it in the fourth commandment, if the views we have taken
+are correct as to the manner in which the Old Testament treats of natural
+events. It is literally true, that all which the Jews understood by the
+heavens and the earth, was made, (<i>awsaw</i>,) that is, renovated, arranged,
+and constituted,&mdash;for so the word often means,&mdash;in six literal days. Had
+the sacred writer alluded to the earth while without form and void, or to
+the heavenly bodies as any thing more than shining points in the
+firmament, placed there on the fourth day, he could not have been
+understood by the Hebrews, without going into a detailed description, and
+thus violating what seems to have been settled principles in writing the
+Bible, viz., not to treat of natural phenomena with scientific accuracy,
+nor to anticipate any scientific discovery.</p>
+
+<p>I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I am endeavoring to show,
+only, that the language of Scripture will admit of an indefinite interval
+between the first creation of matter and the six demiurgic days. I am
+willing to admit, at least for the sake of argument, that the common
+interpretation, which makes matter only six thousand years old, is the
+most natural. But I contend that no violence is done to the language by
+admitting the other interpretation. And in further proof of this position,
+I appeal to the testimony of distinguished modern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> theologians and
+philologists, as I have to several of the ancients. This point cannot,
+indeed, be settled by the authority of names. But I cannot believe that
+any will suppose such men as I shall mention were led to adopt this view
+simply because geologists asked for it, while their judgments told them
+that the language of the Bible would not bear such a meaning. When such
+men, therefore, avow their acquiescence in such an interpretation, it
+cannot but strengthen our confidence in its correctness.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The interval,&#8221; says Bishop Horsley, &#8220;between the production of the matter
+of the chaos and the formation of light, is undescribed and unknown.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Were we to concede to naturalists,&#8221; says Baumgarten Crusius, &#8220;all the
+reasonings which they advance in favor of the earth&#8217;s early existence, the
+conclusion would only be, that the earth itself has existed much more than
+six thousand years, and that it had then already suffered many great and
+important revolutions. But if this were so, would the relation of Moses
+thereby become false and untenable? I cannot think so.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By the phrase <i>in the beginning</i>,&#8221; says Doederlin, &#8220;the time is declared
+when something began to be. But when God produced this remarkable work,
+Moses does not precisely define.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We do not know,&#8221; says Sharon Turner, &#8220;and we have no means of knowing, at
+what point of the ever-flowing eternity of that which is alone
+eternal,&mdash;the divine subsistence,&mdash;the creation of our earth, or any part
+of the universe, began.&#8221; &#8220;All that we can learn explicitly from revelation
+is, that nearly six thousand years have passed since our first parents
+began to be.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The words in the text,&#8221; says Dr. Wiseman, &#8220;do not merely express a
+momentary pause between the first fiat of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> creation and the production of
+light; for the participial form of the verb, whereby the Spirit of God,
+the creative energy, is represented as brooding over the abyss, and
+communicating to it the productive virtue, naturally expresses a
+continuous, and not a passing action.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am strongly inclined to believe,&#8221; says Bishop Gleig, &#8220;that the matter
+of the corporeal universe was all created at once; though different
+portions of it may have been reduced to form at very different periods.
+When the universe was created, or how long the solar system remained in a
+chaotic state, are vain inquiries, to which no answer can be given.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The detailed history of creation in the first chapter of Genesis,&#8221; says
+Dr. Chalmers, &#8220;begins at the middle of the second verse; and what precedes
+might be understood as an introductory sentence, by which we are most
+appositely told, both that God created all things at the first, and that
+afterwards&mdash;by what interval of time it is not specified&mdash;the earth lapsed
+into a chaos, from the darkness and disorder of which the present system
+or economy of things was made to arise. Between the initial act and the
+details of Genesis, the world, for aught we know, might have been the
+theatre of many revolutions, the traces of which geology may still
+investigate,&#8221; &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A philological survey of the initial sections of the Bible, (Gen. i. 1 to
+ii. 3,)&#8221; says Dr. Pye Smith, &#8220;brings out the result;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>1. &#8220;That the first sentence is a simple, independent, all-comprehending
+axiom, to this effect,&mdash;that <i>matter</i>, elementary or combined, aggregated
+only or organized, and <i>dependent, sentient, and intellectual beings</i> have
+not existed from eternity, either in self-continuity or succession, but
+had a beginning; that their beginning took place by the all-powerful will
+of one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> Being; the self-existent, independent and infinite in all
+perfection; and that the date of that beginning is not made known.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>2. &#8220;That at a recent epoch, our planet was brought into a state of
+disorganization, detritus, or ruin, (perhaps we have no perfectly
+appropriate term,) from a former condition.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>3. &#8220;That it pleased the Almighty, wise and benevolent Supreme, out of that
+state of ruin to adjust the surface of the earth to its now existing
+condition,&mdash;the whole extending through the period of six natural days.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am forming,&#8221; continues Dr. Smith, &#8220;no hypotheses in geology; I only
+plead that <i>the ground is clear</i>, and that the dictates of the Scripture
+<i>interpose no bar</i> to observation and reasoning upon the mineralogical
+constitution of the earth, and the remains of organized creatures which
+its strata disclose. If those investigations should lead us to attribute
+to the earth and to the other planets and astral spheres an antiquity
+which millions or ten thousand millions of years might fail to represent,
+<i>the divine records forbid not their deduction</i>.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Script. and Geol.</i> p.
+502.</p>
+
+<p>Says Dr. Bedford, &#8220;We ought to understand Moses as saying, <i>indefinitely
+far back, and concealed from us in the mystery of eternal ages, prior to
+the first moment of mundane time</i>, God created the heavens and the
+earth.&#8221;&mdash;Smith, <i>Script. and Geol.</i> 4th edit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My firm persuasion is,&#8221; says Dr. Harris, &#8220;that the first verse of Genesis
+was designed, by the divine Spirit, to announce the absolute origination
+of the material universe by the Almighty Creator; and that it is so
+understood in the other parts of holy writ; that, passing by an indefinite
+interval, the second verse describes the state of our planet immediately
+prior to the Adamic creation, and, that the third verse begins the account
+of the six days&#8217; work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>&#8220;If I am reminded, in a tone of animadversion, that I am making science,
+in this instance, the interpreter of Scripture, my reply is, that I am
+simply making the works of God illustrate his word in a department in
+which they speak with a distinct and authoritative voice; that &#8220;it is all
+the same whether our geological or theological investigations have been
+prior, if we have not forced the one into accordance with the
+other.&#8221;&mdash;(Davidson, <i>Sacred Hermeneutics</i>.) &#8220;And that it might be
+deserving consideration, whether or not the conduct of those is not open
+to just animadversion, who first undertake to pronounce on the meaning of
+a passage of Scripture, irrespective of all the appropriate evidence, and
+who then, when that evidence is explored and produced, insist on their <i>a
+priori</i> interpretation as the only true one.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Pre-Adamite Earth</i>, p.
+280.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Our best expositors of Scripture,&#8221; says Dr. Daniel King, of Glasgow,
+&#8220;seem to be now pretty generally agreed, that the opening verse in Genesis
+has no necessary connection with the verses which follow. They think it
+may be understood as making a separate and independent statement regarding
+the creation proper, and that the phrase &#8216;in the beginning&#8217; may be
+expressive of an indefinitely remote antiquity. On this principle the
+Bible recognizes, in the first instance, the great age of the earth, and
+then tells us of the changes it underwent at a period long subsequent, in
+order to render it a fit abode for the family of man. The work of the six
+days was not, according to this view, a creation in the strict sense of
+the term, but a renovation, a remodelling of pre&euml;xisting
+materials.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Principles of Geology explained</i>, &amp;c. p. 40, 1st edit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Whether the Mosaic creation,&#8221; says Dr. Schmucker, of the Lutheran church
+in this country, &#8220;refers to the present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> organization of matter, or to the
+formation of its primary elements, it is not easy to decide. The question
+is certainly not determined by the usage of the original words, &#1510;&#1479;&#1513;&#1479;&#1492; ,&#1489;&#1463;&#1512;&#1464;&#1488;
+which are frequently employed to designate mediate formation. Should the
+future investigations of physical science bring to light any facts,
+indisputably proving the anterior existence of the matter of this earth,
+such facts would not militate against the Christian Scriptures.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That a very long period,&#8221; says Dr. Pond,&mdash;&#8220;how long no being but God can
+tell,&mdash;intervened between the creation of the world and the commencement
+of the six days&#8217; work recorded in the following verses of the first
+chapter of Genesis, there can, I think, be no reasonable doubt.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But I need not adduce any more advocates of the interpretation of Genesis,
+for which I contend. Men more respected and confided in by the Christian
+world I could not quote, though I might enlarge the number; but I trust it
+is unnecessary. I trust that all who hear me are satisfied that the Mosaic
+history of the creation of the world does fairly admit of an
+interpretation which leaves an undefined interval between the creation of
+matter and the six days&#8217; work. Let it be recollected that I do not
+maintain that this is the most natural interpretation, but only that the
+passage will fairly admit it by the strict rules of exegesis. The question
+still remains to be considered, whether there is sufficient reason to
+adopt it as the true interpretation. To show that there is, I now make my
+appeal to geology. This is a case, it seems to me, in which we may call in
+the aid of science to ascertain the true meaning of Scripture. The
+question is, Does geology teach, distinctly and uncontrovertibly, that the
+world must have existed during a long period prior to the existence of the
+races of organized beings that now occupy its surface?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>To give a popular view of the evidence sustaining the affirmative of this
+question is no easy task. It needs a full and accurate acquaintance with
+the multiplied facts of geology, and, what is still more rare, a
+familiarity with geological reasoning, in order to feel the full force of
+the arguments that prove the high antiquity of the globe. Yet I know that
+I have a right to presume upon a high degree of scientific knowledge, and
+an accurate acquaintance with geology, among those whom I address.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, I must recur to a principle already briefly stated in
+a former lecture, viz., that a careful examination of the rocks presents
+irresistible evidence, that, in their present condition, they are all the
+result of second causes; in other words, they are not now in the condition
+in which they were originally created. Some of them have been melted and
+reconsolidated, and crowded in between others, or spread over them. Others
+have been worn down into mud, sand, and gravel, by water and other agents,
+and again cemented together, after having enveloped multitudes of animals
+and plants, which are now imbedded as organic remains. In short, all known
+rocks appear to have been brought into their present state by chemical or
+mechanical agencies. It is indeed easy to say that these appearances are
+deceptive, and that these rocks may, with perfect ease, have been created
+just as we now find them. But it is not easy to retain this opinion, after
+having carefully examined them. For the evidence that they are of
+secondary origin is nearly as strong, and of the same kind too, as it is
+that the remains of edifices lately discovered in Central America are the
+work of man, and were not created in their present condition.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, processes are going on by which rocks are formed on a
+small scale, of the same character as those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> which constitute the great
+mass of the earth. Hence it is fair to infer, that all the rocks were
+formed in a similar manner. Beds of gravel, for instance, are sometimes
+cemented together by heat, or iron, or lime, so as to resemble exactly the
+conglomerates found in mountain masses among the ancient rocks. Clay is
+sometimes converted into slate by heat, as is soft marl into limestone, by
+the same cause. In fact, we find causes now in operation that produce all
+the varieties of known rocks, except some of the oldest, which seem to
+need only a greater intensity in some of the causes now at work to produce
+them. By ascertaining the rate at which rocks are now forming, therefore,
+we can form some opinion as to the time requisite to produce those
+constituting the crust of the globe. If, for instance, we can determine
+how fast ponds, lakes, and oceans are filling up with mud, sand, and
+gravel, conveyed to their bottoms, we can judge of the period necessary to
+produce those rocks which appear to have been formed in a similar manner;
+and if there is any evidence that the process was more rapid in early
+times, we can make due allowance.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, all the stratified rocks appear to have been formed
+out of the fragments of other rocks, worn down by the action of water and
+atmospheric agencies. This is particularly true of that large proportion
+of these rocks which contain the remains of animals and plants. The mud,
+sand, and gravel of which these are mostly composed, must have been worn
+from rocks previously existing, and have been transported into lakes, and
+the ocean, as the same process is now going on. There the animals and
+plants, which died in the waters, and were transported thither by rivers,
+must have been buried; next, the rocks must have been hardened into stone,
+by admixture with lime, or iron, or by internal heat; and, finally, have
+been raised above the waters, so as to become<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> dry land. Beds of limestone
+are interstratified with those of shale, sandstone, and conglomerate; but
+these form only a small proportion of the whole, and, besides, were mostly
+formed in an analogous manner, though by agencies more decidedly chemical.</p>
+
+<p>Now, for the most part, this process of forming rocks by the accumulation
+of mud, sand, and gravel is very slow. In general, such accumulations, at
+the bottom of lakes and the ocean, do not increase more than a few inches
+in a century. During violent floods, indeed, and in a few limited spots,
+the accumulation is much more rapid; as in the Lake of Geneva, through
+which the Rhone, loaded with detritus from the Alps, passes, where a delta
+has been formed two miles long and nine hundred feet thick, within eight
+hundred years.<small><a name="f7.1" id="f7.1" href="#f7">[7]</a></small> And occasionally such rapid depositions probably took
+place while the older rocks were in the course of formation. But in
+general, the work seems to have gone on as slowly as it usually does at
+present.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, in the fourth place, there must have been time enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> since the
+creation to deposit at least ten miles of rocks in perpendicular
+thickness, in the manner that has been described. For the stratified rocks
+are at least of that thickness in Europe, and in this country much
+thicker; or, if we regard only the fossiliferous strata as thus deposited,
+(since some geologists might hesitate to admit that the non-fossiliferous
+rocks were thus produced,) these are six and a half miles thick in Europe,
+and still thicker in this country. How immense a period was requisite for
+such a work! Some do, indeed, contend that the work, in all cases, as we
+have allowed it in a few, may have been vastly more rapid than at the
+present day. But the manner in which the materials are arranged, and
+especially the preservation of the most delicate parts of the organic
+remains, often in the very position in which the animals died, show the
+quiet and slow manner in which the process went on.</p>
+
+<p>In the fifth place, it is certain that, since man existed on the globe,
+materials for the production of rocks have not accumulated to the average
+thickness of more than one hundred or two hundred feet; although in
+particular places, as already mentioned, the accumulations are thicker.
+The evidence of this position is, that neither the works nor the remains
+of man have been found any deeper in the earth than in the upper part of
+that superficial deposit called <i>alluvium</i>. But had man existed while the
+other deposits were going on, no possible reason can be given why his
+bones and the fruits of his labors should not be found mixed with those of
+other animals, so abundant in the rocks, to the depth of six or seven
+miles. In the last six thousand years, then, only one five hundredth part
+of the stratified rocks has been accumulated. I mention this fact, not as
+by any means an exact, but only an approximate, measure of the time in
+which the older rocks were deposited;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> for the precise age of the world is
+probably a problem which science never can solve. All the means of
+comparison within our reach enable us to say, only, that its duration must
+have been immense.</p>
+
+<p>In the sixth place, during the deposition of the stratified rocks, a great
+number of changes must have occurred in the matter of which they are
+composed. Hundreds of such changes can be easily counted, and they often
+imply great changes in the waters holding the materials in solution or
+suspension; such changes, indeed, as must have required different oceans
+over the same spot. Such events could not have taken place without
+extensive elevations and subsidences of the earth&#8217;s crust; nor could such
+vertical movements have happened without much intervening time, as many
+facts, too technical to be here detailed, show. Here, then, we have
+another evidence of vast periods of time occupied in the secondary
+production and arrangements of the earth&#8217;s crust.</p>
+
+<p>In the seventh place, numerous races of animals and plants must have
+occupied the globe previous to those which now inhabit it, and have
+successively passed away, as catastrophes occurred, or the climate became
+unfit for their residence. Not less than thirty thousand species have
+already been dug out of the rocks; and excepting a few hundred species,
+mostly of sea shells, occurring in the uppermost rocks, none of them
+correspond to those now living on the globe. In Europe, they are found to
+the depth of about six and a half miles; and in this country, deeper; and
+no living species is found more than one twelfth of this depth. All the
+rest are specifically and often generically unlike living species; and the
+conclusion seems irresistible, that they must have lived and died before
+the creation of the present species. Indeed, so different was the climate
+in those early times,&mdash;it having been much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> warmer than at present in most
+parts of the world,&mdash;that but few of the present races could have lived
+then. Still further: it appears that, during the whole period since
+organized beings first appeared on the globe, not less than four, or five,
+and probably more&mdash;some think as many as ten or twelve&mdash;entire races have
+passed away, and been succeeded by recent ones; so that the globe has
+actually changed all its inhabitants half a dozen times. Yet each of the
+successive groups occupied it long enough to leave immense quantities of
+their remains, which sometimes constitute almost entire mountains. And in
+general, these groups became extinct in consequence of a change of
+climate; which, if imputed to any known cause, must have been an extremely
+slow process.</p>
+
+<p>Now, these results are no longer to be regarded as the dreams of fancy,
+but the legitimate deductions from long and careful observation of facts.
+And can any reasonable man conceive how such changes can have taken place
+since the six days of creation, or within the last six thousand years? In
+order to reconcile them with such a supposition, we must admit of
+hypotheses and absurdities more wild and extravagant than have ever been
+charged upon geology. But admit of a long period between the first
+creative act and the six days, and all difficulties vanish.</p>
+
+<p>In the eighth place, the denudations and erosions that have taken place on
+the earth&#8217;s surface indicate a far higher antiquity to the globe, even
+since it assumed essentially its present condition, than the common
+interpretation of Genesis admits. The geologist can prove that in many
+cases the rocks have been worn away, by the slow action of the ocean, more
+than two miles in depth in some regions, and those very wide; as in South
+Wales, in England. As the continents rose from the ocean, the slow
+drainage by the rivers has excavated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> numerous long and deep gorges,
+requiring periods incalculably extended.</p>
+
+<p>I do not wonder that, when the sceptic stands upon the banks of Niagara
+River, and sees how obviously the splendid cataract has worn out the deep
+gorge extending to Lake Ontario, he should feel that there is a standing
+proof that the common opinion, as to the age of the world, cannot be true;
+and hence be led to discard the Bible, if he supposes that to be a true
+interpretation.</p>
+
+<p>But the Niagara gorge is only one among a multitude of examples of erosion
+that might be quoted; and some of them far more striking to a geologist.
+On Oak Orchard Creek, and the Genesee River, between Rochester and Lake
+Ontario, are similar erosions, seven miles long. On the latter river,
+south of Rochester, we find a cut from Mount Morris to Portage, sometimes
+four hundred feet deep. On many of our south-western rivers we have what
+are called <i>canons</i>, or gorges, often two hundred and fifty feet deep, and
+several miles long. Near the source of Missouri River are what are called
+the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, where there is a gorge six miles long
+and twelve hundred feet deep. Similar cuts occur on the Columbia River,
+hundreds of feet deep, through the hard trap rock, for hundreds of miles,
+between the American Falls and the Dalles. At St. Anthony&#8217;s Falls, on the
+Mississippi, that river has worn a passage in limestone seven miles long,
+which distance the cataract has receded. On the Potomac, ten miles west of
+Washington, the Great Falls have worn back a passage sixty to sixty-five
+feet deep, four miles, continuously&mdash;a greater work, considering the
+nature of the rock, than has been done by the Niagara. The passage for the
+Hudson, through the highlands, is probably an example of river erosion; as
+is also that of the Connecticut at Brattleboro&#8217; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> Bellows Falls. In
+these places, it can be proved that the river was once at least seven
+hundred feet above its present bed. On the Deerfield River, a tributary of
+the Connecticut, we have a gulf called the <i>Ghor</i>, eight miles long and
+several hundred feet deep, cut crosswise through the mica slate and gneiss
+by the stream.</p>
+
+<p>On the eastern continent I might quote a multitude of analogous cases.
+There is, for instance, the Wady el Jeib, in soft limestone, within the
+Wady Arabah, south of the Dead Sea. The defile is one hundred and fifty
+feet deep, half a mile wide, and forty miles long. In Mount Lebanon,
+several remarkable chasms in limestone have been described by American
+missionaries, as that on Dog River, (Lycus of the ancients,) six miles
+long, seventy or eighty feet deep, and from one hundred and twenty to one
+hundred and sixty feet wide; also, Wady Barida, whose walls are six
+hundred to eight hundred feet high. On the River Ravendoor, in Kurdistan,
+is a gorge, described in a letter from Dr. Perkins, one thousand feet
+deep. Another on the Euphrates, near Diadeen, is seventy feet deep, and is
+spanned by a natural bridge one hundred feet long. On the River Terek, in
+the Dariel Caucasus, is a pass one hundred and twenty miles long, whose
+walls rise from one thousand to three thousand feet high. In Africa, the
+River Zaire has cut a passage, forty miles long, through mica slate,
+quartz, and syenite; and in New South Wales, Cox River passes through a
+gorge twenty-two hundred yards wide and eight hundred feet high.</p>
+
+<p>Ninthly. Since the geological period now passing commenced, called the
+<i>alluvial</i>, or pleistocene period, certain changes have been going on,
+which indicate a very great antiquity to the drift period, which was the
+commencement of the alluvial period, and has been considered among the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>
+most recent of geological events. I refer to the formation of deltas and
+of terraces.</p>
+
+<p>Of the deltas I will mention but a single example, to which, however, many
+others correspond. The Mississippi carries down to its mouth
+28,188,803,892 cubic feet of sediment yearly, which it deposits; or one
+cubic mile in five years and eighty-one days. Now, as the whole delta
+contains twenty-seven hundred and twenty cubic miles, it must have
+required fourteen thousand two hundred and four years to form it in this
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>Terraces occur along some of the rivers of our country from four hundred
+to five hundred feet above their present beds, and around our lakes to the
+height of nearly one thousand feet. They are composed of gravel, sand,
+clay, and loam, that have been comminuted, and sorted, and deposited, by
+water chiefly. At a height two or three times greater, on the same rivers
+and lakes, we find what seem to be ancient sea beaches, of the same
+materials, deposited earlier, and less comminuted. The same facts also
+occur in Europe, and probably in Asia.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it seems quite certain, that these beaches and terraces were formed
+as the continents were being drained of the waters of the ocean, and the
+rivers were cutting down their beds; which last process has been going on
+in many places to the present day. Yet scarcely nowhere, since the memory
+of man, have even the lowest of these terraces and beaches been formed,
+save on a very limited scale, and of a few feet in height. The lowest of
+them have been the sites of towns and cities, ever since the settlement of
+our country, and on the eastern continent much longer. Yet we see the
+processes by which they have been formed now in operation; but they have
+scarcely made any progress during the period of human history. How vast
+the period, then, since the work was first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> commenced! Yet even its
+commencement seems to have been no farther back than the drift epoch,
+since that deposit lies beneath the terraces. But the drift period was
+comparatively a very recent one on the geological scale. How do such facts
+impress us with the vast duration of the globe since the first series of
+changes commenced!</p>
+
+<p>Finally. There is no little reason to believe that, previous to the
+formation of the stratified rocks, the earth passed through changes that
+required vast periods of time, by which it was gradually brought into a
+habitable state. It is even believed that one of its earliest conditions
+was that of vapor; that, gradually condensing, it became a melted globe of
+fire, and then, as it gradually cooled, a crust formed over its surface;
+and so at last it became habitable. All this is indeed hypothesis; and,
+therefore, I do not place it in the same rank as the other proofs of the
+earth&#8217;s antiquity, already adduced. Still this hypothesis has so much
+evidence in its favor, that not a few of the ablest and most cautious
+philosophers of the present day have adopted it. And if it be indeed true,
+it throws back the creation of the universe to a period remote beyond
+calculation or conception.</p>
+
+<p>Now, let this imperfect summary of evidence in favor of the earth&#8217;s high
+antiquity be candidly weighed, and can any one think it strange that every
+man, who has carefully and extensively examined the rocks in their native
+beds, is entirely convinced of its validity? Men of all professions, and
+of diverse opinions concerning the Bible, have been geologists; but on
+this point they are unanimous, however they may differ as to other points
+in the science. Must we not, then, regard this fact as one of the settled
+principles of science? If so, who will hesitate to say that it ought to
+settle the interpretation of the first verse of Genesis, in favor of that
+meaning which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> allows an intervening period between the creation of matter
+and the creation of light? This is the grand point which I have aimed to
+establish; and, in conclusion, I beg leave to make a few remarks by way of
+inference.</p>
+
+<p>First. This interpretation of Genesis is entirely sufficient to remove all
+apparent collision between geology and revelation. It gives the geologist
+full scope for his largest speculations concerning the age of the world.
+It permits him to maintain that its first condition was as unlike to the
+present as possible, and allows him time enough for all the changes of
+mineral constitution and organic life which its strata reveal. It supposes
+that all these are passed over in silence by the sacred writers, because
+irrelevant to the object of revelation, but full of interest and
+instruction to the men of science, who should afterwards take pleasure in
+exploring the works of God.</p>
+
+<p>It supposes the six days&#8217; work of creation to have been confined entirely
+to the fitting up the world in its present condition, and furnishing it
+with its present inhabitants. Thus, while it gives the widest scope to the
+geologist, it does not encroach upon the literalities of the Bible; and
+hence it is not strange that it should be almost universally adopted by
+geologists as well as by many eminent divines.</p>
+
+<p>I would not forget to notice in this connection, however, a recent
+proposed extension of this interpretation by Dr. John Pye Smith, founded
+on the principle already illustrated, that the sacred writers adapted
+their language to the state of knowledge among the Jews. By the term
+<i>earth</i>, in Genesis, he supposes, was designed not the whole terraqueous
+globe, but &#8220;the part of our world which God was adapting for the
+dwelling-place of man and animals connected with him.&#8221; And the narrative
+of the six days&#8217; work is a description<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> adapted to the ideas and
+capacities of mankind in the earliest ages, of a series of operations, by
+which the Being of omnipotent wisdom and goodness adjusted and furnished,
+not the earth generally, but, as the particular subject under
+consideration here, a <span class="smcaplc">PORTION</span> of its surface for most glorious purposes.
+This portion of the earth he conceives to have been a large part of Asia,
+lying between the Caucasian ridge, the Caspian Sea and Tartary on the
+north, the Persian and Indian Seas on the south, and the high mountain
+ridges which run at considerable distance on their eastern and western
+flanks. This region was first, by atmospheric and geological causes of
+previous operation, under the will of the Almighty, brought into a
+condition of superficial ruin, or some kind of general disorder, probably
+by volcanic agency; it was submerged, covered with fogs and clouds, and
+subsequently elevated, and the atmosphere, by the fourth day, rendered
+pellucid.&mdash;<i>Script. and Geol.</i> p. 275, 2d edit.</p>
+
+<p>Without professing to adopt fully this view of my learned and venerable
+friend, I cannot but remark, that it explains one or two difficulties on
+this subject, which I shall more fully explain farther on. One is, the
+difficulty of conceiving how the inferior animals could have been
+distributed to their present places of residence from a single centre of
+creation without a miracle. Certain it is, that, as the climate and
+position of land and water now are, they could not thus migrate without
+certain destruction to many of them. But by this theory they might have
+been created within the districts which they now occupy.</p>
+
+<p>Another difficulty solved by this theory is, that several hundred species
+of animals, that were created long before man, as their remains found in
+the tertiary strata show, still survive, and there is no evidence that
+they ever became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> extinct; nor need they have been destroyed and
+recreated, if Dr. Smith&#8217;s theory be true. Nevertheless, it does not appear
+to me essential to a satisfactory reconciliation of geology and
+revelation, that we should adopt it. But coming from such high authority,
+and sustained as it is by powerful arguments, it commends itself to our
+candid examination.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. I remark, that it is not necessary that we should be perfectly
+sure that the method which has been described, or any other, of bringing
+geology into harmony with the Bible, is infallibly true. It is only
+necessary that it should be sustained by probable evidence; that it should
+fairly meet the geological difficulty on the one hand, and do no violence
+to the language or spirit of the Bible on the other. This is sufficient,
+surely, to satisfy every philosophical mind, that there is no collision
+between geology and revelation. But should it appear hereafter, either
+from the discoveries of the geologist or the philologist, that our views
+must be somewhat modified, it would not show that the previous views had
+been insufficient to harmonize the two subjects; but only that here, as in
+every other department of human knowledge, perfection is not attained,
+except by long-continued efforts.</p>
+
+<p>I make these remarks, because it is well known that other modes, besides
+that which I have defended, have been proposed to accomplish the same
+object; and it is probable that, even to this day, one or two of these
+modes may be defended, although the general opinion of geologists is in
+favor of that which I have exhibited.</p>
+
+<p>Some, for instance, have supposed that the fossiliferous strata may all
+have been deposited in the sixteen hundred years between the creation and
+the deluge, and by that catastrophe have been lifted out of the ocean.
+Others have imagined them all produced by that event. But the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
+plausible theory regards the six days of creation as periods of great,
+though indefinite length, during which all the changes exhibited by the
+strata of rocks took place. The arguments in defence of this view are the
+following: 1. The word <i>day</i> is often used in Scripture to express a
+period of indefinite length. (Luke xvii. 24. John viii. 56. Job xiv. 6.)
+2. The sun, moon, and stars were not created till the fourth day; so that
+the revolution of the earth on its axis, in twenty-four hours, may not
+have existed previously, and the light and darkness that alternated may
+have had reference to some other standard. 3. The Sabbath, or seventh day,
+in which God rested from his work, has not yet terminated; and there is
+reason to suppose the demiurgic days may have been at least of equal
+length. 4. This interpretation corresponds remarkably with the traditional
+cosmogonies of some heathen nations, as the ancient Etruscans and modern
+Hindoos; and it was also adopted by Philo and other Jewish writers. 5. The
+order of creation, as described in Genesis, corresponds to that developed
+by geology. This order, according to Cuvier and Professor Jameson, is as
+follows: 1. The earth was covered with the sea without inhabitants. 2.
+Plants were created on the third day, and are found abundantly in the coal
+measures. 3. On the fifth day, the inhabitants of the waters, then flying
+things, then great reptiles, and then mammiferous animals, were created.
+4. On the sixth day, man was created.</p>
+
+<p>The following are the objections to this interpretation: 1. The word <i>day</i>
+is not used figuratively in other places of Genesis, (unless perhaps Gen.
+ii. 4,) though it is sometimes so used in other parts of Scripture. 2. In
+the fourth commandment, where the days of creation are referred to, (Exod.
+xx. 9, 10, 11,) no one can doubt but that the six days of labor and the
+Sabbath, spoken of in the ninth and tenth verses, are literal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> days. By
+what rule of interpretation can the same word in the next verse be made to
+mean indefinite periods? 3. From Gen. ii. 5, compared with Gen. i. 11, 12,
+it seems that it had not rained on the earth till the third day&mdash;a fact
+altogether probable if the days were of twenty-four hours, but absurd if
+they were long periods. 4. Such a meaning is forced and unnatural, and,
+therefore, not to be adopted without urgent necessity. 5. This hypothesis
+assumes that Moses describes the creation of all the animals and plants
+that have ever lived on the globe. But geology decides that the species
+now living, since they are not found in the rocks any lower down than man
+is, (with a few exceptions,) could not have been contemporaries with those
+in the rocks, but must have been created when man was; that is, on the
+sixth day. Of such a creation no mention is made in Genesis. The inference
+is, that Moses does not describe the creation of the existing races, but
+only of those that lived thousands of years earlier, and whose existence
+was scarcely suspected till modern times. Who will admit such an
+absurdity? If any one takes the ground that the existing races were
+created with the fossil ones, on the third and fifth days, then he must
+show, what no one can, why the remains of the former are not found mixed
+with the latter. 6. Though there is a general resemblance between the
+order of creation, as described in Genesis and by geology, yet when we
+look at the details of the creation of the organic world, as required by
+this hypothesis, we find manifest discrepancy, instead of the coincidence
+asserted by some distinguished advocates of these views. Thus the Bible
+represents plants only to have been created on the third day, and animals
+not till the fifth; and hence, at least, the lower half of the
+fossiliferous rocks ought to contain nothing but vegetables. Whereas, in
+fact, the lower half of these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> rocks, all below the carboniferous,
+although abounding in animals, contain scarcely any plants, and those in
+the lowest strata, fucoids, or sea-weeds. But the Mosaic account of the
+third day&#8217;s work evidently describes flowering and seed-bearing plants,
+not flowerless and seedless alg&aelig;. Again: reptiles are described in Genesis
+as created on the fifth day; but reptilia and batrachians existed as early
+as the time when the lower carboniferous, and even old red sandstone
+strata, were in a course of deposition, as their tracks on those rocks in
+Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania evince. In short, if we maintain that Moses
+describes fossil as well as living species, we find discrepancy, instead
+of correspondence, between his order of creation and that of geology. But
+admit that he describes only existing species, and all difficulties
+vanish.</p>
+
+<p>It appears, then, that the objections to this interpretation of the word
+<i>day</i> are more geological than exegetical. It has accordingly been mostly
+abandoned by men, who, from their knowledge both of geology and scriptural
+exegesis, were best qualified to judge. And even those who are inclined to
+adopt it do also believe in the existence of a long period between the
+beginning and the demiurgic days. From the earliest times, however, in
+which we have writings upon the Scriptures, we find men doubting whether
+the demiurgic days of Moses are to be taken in a strictly literal sense.
+Josephus and Philo regarded the six days&#8217; work as metaphorical. Origen
+took a similar view, and St. Augustin says, &#8220;It is difficult, if not
+impossible, for us to conceive what sort of days these were.&#8221; In more
+modern times, we find many able writers, as Hahn, Hensler, De Luc,
+Professors Lee and Wait, of the University of Cambridge, Faber, &amp;c.,
+adopting modifications of the same views. Mr. Faber, however, a few years
+since, abandoned this opinion; and for the most part, geologists and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>
+theologians prefer to regard the six days as literal days of twenty-four
+hours. But, generally, they would not regard the opposite opinion to be as
+unreasonable as it would be to reject the Bible from any supposed
+collision with geology. Yet, in general, they suppose it sufficient, to
+meet all difficulties, to allow of an indefinite interval between the
+&#8220;beginning&#8221; and the six days&#8217; work of creation.</p>
+
+<p>In the truly scientific system of theology by the venerable Dr. Knapp, we
+find a proposed interpretation of the Mosaic account of the creation, that
+would bring it into harmony with geology. &#8220;If we would form a clear and
+distinct notion of this whole description of creation,&#8221; says he, &#8220;we must
+conceive of six separate <i>pictures</i>, in which this great work is
+represented in each successive stage of its progress towards completion.
+And as the performance of the painter, though it must have natural truth
+for its foundation, must not be considered, or judged of, as a delineation
+of mathematical or scientific accuracy, so neither must this pictorial
+representation of the creation be regarded as literally and exactly true.&#8221;
+He then alludes to the various hypotheses respecting the early state of
+the matter of the globe, and says, &#8220;Any of these hypotheses of the
+naturalist may be adopted or rejected, the Mosaic geogony
+notwithstanding.&#8221;<small><a name="f8.1" id="f8.1" href="#f8">[8]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>Thirdly. The interpretation of Genesis, for which I have contended in this
+lecture, does not affect injuriously any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> doctrine of revelation. The
+community have, indeed, been taught to believe that the universe was all
+brought into existence about six thousand years ago; and it always
+produces a temporary evil to change the interpretation of a passage of the
+Bible, even though, as in this case, it be the result of new light shed
+upon it; because it is apt to make individuals of narrow views lose their
+confidence in the rules of interpretation. But when the change is once
+made, it increases men&#8217;s confidence in the Word of God, which is only
+purified, but not shaken, by all the discoveries of modern science. In the
+present case, it does not seem to be of the least consequence, so far as
+the great doctrines of the Bible are concerned, whether the world has
+stood six thousand, or six hundred thousand years. Nor can I conceive of
+any truth of the Bible, which does not shine with at least equal
+brightness and glory, if the longest chronological dates be adopted.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, fourthly. I maintain that several of these doctrines are far more
+strikingly and profitably exhibited, if the high antiquity of the globe be
+admitted. The common interpretation limits the operations of the Deity, so
+far as the material universe is concerned, to the last six thousand years.
+But the geological view carries the mind back along the flow of countless
+ages, and exhibits the wisdom of the Deity carrying forward, with infinite
+skill, a vast series of operations, each successive link springing out of
+that before it, and becoming more and more beautiful, until the glorious
+universe in which we live comes forth, not only the last, but the best of
+all. All this while, too, we perceive the heart of infinite Benevolence at
+work, either in fitting up the world for its future races of inhabitants,
+or in placing upon it creatures exactly adapted to its varying condition;
+until man, at last, the crown of all, makes it his delightful abode, with
+nothing to lament but his own <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>apostasy,&mdash;with every thing perfect but
+himself. Can the mind enter such an almost boundless field of
+contemplation as this, and not feel itself refreshed, and expanded, and
+filled with more exalted conceptions of the divine plans and divine
+benevolence than could possibly be obtained within the narrow limits of
+six thousand years? But I will not enlarge; for I hope I may be allowed,
+in future lectures, to enter this rich field of thought, when we have more
+leisure to survey its beautiful prospects, and pluck its golden fruit.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. If the geological interpretation of Genesis be true, then it
+should be taught to all classes of the community. It is, indeed, unwise to
+alter received interpretations of Scripture without very strong reasons.
+We should be satisfied that the new light, which has come to us, is not
+that of a transient meteor, but of a permanent luminary. We should, also,
+be satisfied, that the proposed change is consistent with the established
+rules of philology. If we introduce change of this sort before these
+points are settled, even upon passages that have no connection with
+fundamental moral principles, we shall distress many an honest and pious
+heart, and expose ourselves to the necessity of further change. But on the
+other hand, if we delay the change long after these points are fairly
+settled, we shall excite the suspicion that we dread to have the light of
+science fall upon the Bible. Nor let it be forgotten how disastrous has
+ever been the influence of the opinion that theologians teach one thing,
+and men of science another. Now, in the case under consideration, is there
+any reason to doubt the high antiquity of the globe, as demonstrated by
+geology? If any point, not capable of mathematical demonstration in
+physical science, is proved, surely this truth is established. And how
+easily reconciled to the inspired record, by an interpretation entirely
+consistent with the rules of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>philology, and with the scope of the
+passage, and the tenor of the Bible! It seems to me far more natural, and
+easy to understand, than that interpretation which it became necessary to
+introduce when the Copernican system was demonstrated to be true. The
+latter must have seemed to conflict strongly with the natural and most
+obvious meaning of certain passages of the Bible, at a time when men&#8217;s
+minds were ignorant of astronomy, and, I may add, of the true mode of
+interpreting the language of Scripture respecting natural phenomena.
+Nevertheless, the astronomical exegesis prevailed, and every child can now
+see its reasonableness. So it seems to me that the child can easily
+apprehend the geological interpretation and its reasons. Why, then, should
+it not be taught to children, that they may not be liable to distrust the
+whole Bible, when they come to the study of geology? I rejoice, however,
+that the fears and prejudices of the pious and the learned are so fast
+yielding to evidence; and I anticipate the period, when, on this subject,
+the child will learn the same thing in the Sabbath school and the literary
+institution. Nay, I anticipate the time as not distant, when the high
+antiquity of the globe will be regarded as no more opposed to the Bible
+than the earth&#8217;s revolution round the sun and on its axis. Soon shall the
+horizon, where geology and revelation meet, be cleared of every cloud, and
+present only an unbroken and magnificent circle of truth.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_III" id="LECTURE_III"></a>LECTURE III.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE FROM THE BEGINNING.</span></p>
+
+<p>Death has always been regarded by man as the king of terrors, and the
+climax of all mortal evils; and by Christians its introduction into the
+world has generally been imputed to the apostasy of our first parents. For
+the threatening announced to them in Eden was, <i>In the day thou eatest of
+the forbidden fruit thou shalt surely die</i>, implying that if they did not
+eat thereof they might live. But <i>when the woman saw the tree was good for
+food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to
+make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
+to her husband with her, and he did eat</i>. As the result, it is generally
+supposed that a great change took place in animals and plants, and from
+being immortal, they became mortal, in consequence of this fatal deed. But
+geology asserts that death existed in the world untold ages before man&#8217;s
+creation, while physiology declares it to be a universal law of nature,
+and a wise and benevolent provision in such a world as ours. Now, the
+question is, Do not these different statements conflict with one another?
+and if so, is the discrepancy apparent only, or real? These are the
+questions which I now propose to examine, by all the light which we can
+obtain from the Bible and from science.</p>
+
+<p><i>The first point to be ascertained in this investigation will be, what the
+Bible teaches on this subject.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>In the first place, it distinctly informs us that the death which man
+experiences, came upon him in consequence of sin.</p>
+
+<p>The declaration of Paul on this subject is as distinct as language can be.
+<i>By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death
+passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.</i> This corresponds with the
+original threatening respecting the forbidden fruit. We know that our
+first parents ate of it; we know, also, that they died; and the apostle
+places these two facts in the relation of cause and effect.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, the Bible does not inform us whether the death of the
+inferior animals and plants is the consequence of man&#8217;s transgression.</p>
+
+<p>In order to prove this statement, it is necessary to show that the
+language of the Bible, which distinctly ascribes the introduction of death
+into the world, is limited to man. The first part of the sentence from
+Paul, just quoted, is indeed very general, and may include all organic
+natures. <i>By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.</i> What
+terms more general or explicit than these could be used? Yet the remainder
+of the sentence shows that the apostle had man mainly in his eye; <i>and so
+death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned</i>. The death here
+spoken of is limited expressly to man; and, therefore, it is not necessary
+to show that the same terms, in the first part of the sentence, had a more
+extended meaning. Death is spoken of here as the result of sin, and
+cannot, therefore, embrace animals and plants, which are incapable of sin.
+But after all, the first part of the sentence may intend to teach a
+general truth respecting the origin of every kind of death in the world.
+It will be seen in the sequel, that to such a meaning I have no objection,
+if it can be established.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>Another very explicit passage on the introduction of death into the world
+is found in Corinthians: <i>Since by man came death, by man came also the
+resurrection of the dead.</i> Here, too, the last clause of the sentence
+limits the meaning to the human family. For no one will doubt that Christ
+is the man here spoken of, by whom came the resurrection of the dead. Now,
+unless the inferior animals and plants will share in a resurrection in
+consequence of what Christ has done, and in the redemption wrought out by
+him too, they cannot be included in this passage. And if neither of the
+texts now quoted extend in their application beyond the human race, I know
+of no other passage in the Bible that teaches, directly or inferentially,
+that death among the inferior animals or plants resulted from man&#8217;s
+apostasy. I do not deny that there may be a connection between these
+events; certainly the Scriptures do not teach the contrary. But they
+appear to me rather to leave the question of such a connection undecided,
+and open for the examination of philosophers. If so, we may reason
+concerning the dissolution of animals, except men, without reference to
+the Scriptures.</p>
+
+<p><i>Under the second part of this investigation, I shall endeavor to show
+that geology proves violent and painful death to have existed in the world
+long before man&#8217;s creation.</i></p>
+
+<p>In the oldest of the sedimentary rocks, the remains of animals occur in
+vast numbers; nor will any one, I trust, of ordinary intelligence, doubt
+but these relics once constituted living beings. Through the whole series
+of rocks, six miles in thickness, we find similar remains, even increasing
+in numbers as we ascend; but it is not till we reach the very highest
+stratum, the mere superficial coat of alluvium, that we find the remains
+of man. The vast multitudes, then, of organized beings that lie entombed
+in rocks below alluvium, must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> have yielded to death long before man
+received his sentence, <i>Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return.</i>
+Will any one maintain that none of these animals preceded man in the
+period of their existence? Then why are the remains of men not found with
+theirs? for his bony skeleton is as likely to be preserved and petrified
+as theirs. Moreover, so unlike to man and other existing tenants of the
+globe are many of these ancient animals, that the sure laws of comparative
+anatomy show us, that both races could not live and flourish in a world
+adapted to the one or the other. If the temperature had been warm enough
+for the fossil tribes, and all the circumstances of food and climate
+congenial to their natures, they would have been unsuited to the present
+races; and if adapted to the latter, the former must have perished. The
+difference between the animals and plants dug out of the rocks in this
+latitude, and those now inhabiting the same region of country, is
+certainly as great as that between the animals and plants of the torrid
+and temperate zones; in most cases it is greater. Now, suppose that the
+animals and plants of the temperate zones were to change places with those
+between the tropics. A few species might survive, but the greater part
+would be destroyed. Hence, <i>a fortiori</i>, had the living beings now
+entombed in the rocks been placed in the same climate with those now alive
+upon the globe, the like result would have followed. I say <i>a fortiori</i>;
+that is, for a stronger reason, the greater number must have perished; and
+the stronger reason is, the greater difference between fossil and living
+species, than between the latter in torrid and temperate latitudes. It is
+true that man is among the species capable of being acclimated to great
+extremes. And yet no physiologist will imagine that even his nature could
+have long survived in such a climate as formerly existed, when probably
+the atmosphere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> was loaded with carbonic acid and other mephitic gases,
+and with moisture and miasms, the result of a rank vegetation, and of a
+temperature higher than now exists in equatorial countries.</p>
+
+<p>This argument, furnished by comparative anatomy, to show that man and the
+fossil animals could not have been contemporaries, will probably seem to
+have little force to those who are not familiar with the history of
+organic life on the globe, and the distribution of species. It is not
+generally known that both animals and plants are usually confined to a
+particular district, and that a removal beyond its boundaries, or the
+access of a few more degrees of cold, or heat, than is common in the place
+assigned them by nature, will destroy them. To him who understands this
+curious history, the argument under consideration is perfectly
+satisfactory, to prove the existence and consequent dissolution of myriads
+of living beings, anterior to man. &#8220;Judging by these indications of the
+habits of the animals,&#8221; says the distinguished anatomist, Sir Charles
+Bell, &#8220;we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their
+period of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of
+the lacert&aelig;, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and finally, we learn
+that at any period previous to man&#8217;s creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him. Any other hypothesis than that of a new
+creation of animals, suited to the successive changes in the inorganic
+matter of the globe, the condition of the water, atmosphere, and
+temperature, brings with it only an accumulation of difficulties.&#8221;&mdash;<i>The
+Hand, its Mech.</i>, &amp;c. pp. 31 and 115.</p>
+
+<p>But when arguing with those who do not feel the force of this argument, I
+would fall back upon that derived from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> fact, that of the ten thousand
+species of animals dug out of the rocks beneath alluvium, no relic of man
+has been found; and ask them whether they can explain such a fact, except
+by the supposition that man was not their contemporary.</p>
+
+<p>In his admirable Bridgewater Treatise, Dr. Buckland has conclusively shown
+that the same great system of organization and adaptation has always
+prevailed on the globe. It was the same in those immensely remote ages,
+when the fossil animals lived, as it now is. And there is one feature of
+that system which deserves notice in this argument. At present, we know
+that there exist large tribes of animals, called carnivorous, provided
+with organs expressly designed to enable them to destroy other animals,
+and of course to inflict on them violent and painful death. Exactly
+similar tribes, and in a like proportion, are found among the fossil
+animals. They were not always the same tribes; but when one class of
+carnivora disappeared, another was created to take their place, in order
+to keep down the excessive multiplication of other races, which appears to
+be the grand object accomplished by the carnivorous races. And that
+animals of such an organization not only lived in the ages preceding man&#8217;s
+creation, but actually destroyed contemporary species, we have the
+evidence in the remains of the one animal enclosed in the body of another,
+by whom it was devoured for food and both are now converted into rock, and
+will testify to the most sceptical, that death among animals existed in
+the world before man&#8217;s transgression.</p>
+
+<p><i>Under the third part of this investigation, I shall attempt to show that
+physiology teaches us that death is a general law of organic natures.</i></p>
+
+<p>It is not confined to animals, but embraces also plants. As they
+correspond in a striking manner to animals in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> reproduction and
+growth, so they do in their decay and dissolution. In short, wherever in
+nature we find life and organization, death is inevitable. The amount of
+vital energy varies in different species, and in individuals; but in them
+all, it at length becomes exhausted, and the functions cease. After a
+certain period, the vessels which convey the nutritive materials, and
+elaborate the proximate principles, become choked with excrementitious
+matter, assimilation is performed imperfectly, and gradually the vital
+energies are overpowered, and yield up their charge to the disorganizing
+power of chemical agencies. We can hardly see why the delicate machinery
+cannot hold out longer than it does, or even indefinitely. But experience
+shows us that an irresistible law of nature has fixed the period of its
+operations. In the expressive language of Scripture, which applies to
+plants as well as animals, <i>there is no discharge in that war</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A little reflection will convince any one, that in such a system as exists
+in the world, this universal decay and dissolution are indispensable. For
+dead organic matter is essential to the support and nourishment of living
+beings. Admit, for the sake of the argument, (although it is obviously
+absurd in respect to the carnivorous races,) that animals might be
+supported by vegetable food. Yet, if plants must furnish nourishment for
+their successors, as well as for animals, the organic matter must at
+length be exhausted. And, furthermore, how could animals feed on plants
+without destroying, as they now do, multitudes of minute insects and
+animalcules? It is obvious, also, that, for a variety of reasons, the
+multiplication of animals must soon be arrested, or famine would be the
+result, or the world would be more than full. In short, it would require
+an entirely different system in nature from the present, in order to
+exclude death from the world. To the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> existing system it is as essential
+as gravitation, and apparently just as much a law of nature.</p>
+
+<p>To strengthen this argument still further, comparative anatomy testifies
+that large classes of animals have a structure evidently intended to
+enable them to feed on other tribes. The teeth of the more perfect
+carnivorous animals are adapted for seizing and tearing their prey, while
+those which feed on vegetables have cutting and grinding teeth, but not
+the canine. So the whole digestive apparatus in the carnivora is more
+simple, and of less extent, than in the herbivorous tribes, while in the
+former the gastric juice acts more readily upon flesh, and in the latter
+upon vegetables. The muscular apparatus, also, is developed in greater
+power in the former than in the latter, especially in the neck and fore
+paw. Throughout all the classes of animals, those which feed on flesh are
+armed with poisonous fangs, or talons, or beaks, or other formidable
+weapons, while the vegetable feeders are usually in a great measure
+defenceless. In short, in the one class we find a perfect adaptation, in
+all the organs, for destroying, digesting, and assimilating other animals,
+and in the other class, an arrangement, equally obvious, for procuring and
+digesting vegetables. Indeed, you need only show the anatomist the
+skeleton, or even a very small part of the skeleton, of an unknown animal,
+to enable him, in most cases, to decide, what is the food of that animal,
+with almost as much certainty as if he had for years observed its habits.
+Who can doubt, then, that when a carnivorous animal employs the weapons
+with which nature has furnished it for the destruction of another animal,
+in order to satisfy its hunger, that it acts in obedience to a law of its
+being, originally impressed upon its constitution by the Creator? It is
+true, that even the flesh-eating animals may be taught for a time to
+subsist upon vegetable products. But this is unnatural;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> and such an
+animal usually pays the price of thus inverting its original instinct, by
+disease and premature decay. In a state of nature, an animal would starve
+rather than thus violate its instinctive desires.</p>
+
+<p>I will allude to only one other fact, that shows death to be inseparable
+from organized beings, without a constant miraculous interference, in such
+a world as ours. Animal organization, in all conceivable circumstances,
+must be liable to accident, from mere mechanical force, by which life
+would be destroyed. It may be possible, perhaps, to conceive of a material
+tenement for the soul, which should be unaffected by all forms of
+mechanical violence and chemical action; if, for instance, its
+constitution were analogous to that supposed medium through which light,
+heat, and electricity, and perhaps gravitation, act. But, surely, our
+present bodies are far enough removed from such conditions, being of all
+terrestrial things the most liable to ruin from the causes above
+mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>The conclusions from all these facts and reasonings are, that death is an
+essential feature of the present system of organized nature; that it must
+have entered into the plan of creation in the divine mind originally, and
+consequently must have existed in the world before the apostasy of man.
+Whether the entire system of death had any connection with that event, or
+whether there is any thing peculiar in the death endured by the human
+family, will be questions for examination in a subsequent part of my
+lecture.</p>
+
+<p>In opposition to these conclusions, however, the common theory of death
+maintains that, when man transgressed, there was an entire change
+throughout all organic nature; so that animals and plants, which before
+contained a principle of immortal life, were smitten with the hereditary
+contagion of disease and death. Those animals which, before that event,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>
+were gentle and herbivorous, or frugivorous, suddenly became ferocious or
+carnivorous. The climate, too, changed, and the sterile soil sent forth
+the thorn and the thistle, in the place of the rich flowers and fruits of
+Eden. The great English poet, in his Paradise Lost, has clothed this
+hypothesis in a most graphic and philosophical dress; and probably his
+descriptions have done more than the Bible to give it currency. Indeed,
+could the truth be known, I fancy that, on many points of secondary
+importance, the current theology of the day has been shaped quite as much
+by the ingenious machinery of Paradise Lost as by the Scriptures; the
+theologians having so mixed up the ideas of Milton with those derived from
+inspiration, that they find it difficult to distinguish between them.</p>
+
+<p>In the case under consideration, Milton does not limit the change induced
+by man&#8217;s apostasy to sublunary things, but, like a sagacious philosopher,
+perceives, also, that the heavenly bodies must have been diverted from
+their paths.</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 6em;">&#8220;At that tasted fruit,</span><br />
+The sun, as from Thyestian banquet, turned<br />
+His course intended; else-how had the world<br />
+Inhabited, though sinless, more than now,<br />
+Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This change of the sun&#8217;s path, as the poet well knew, could be effected
+only by some change in the motion of the earth.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Some say he bid the angels turn askance<br />
+The poles of earth, twice ten degrees and more,<br />
+From the sun&#8217;s axle; they with labor pushed<br />
+Oblique the centric globe.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>Next we have the effect upon the lower orders of animals described.</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 8em;">&#8220;Discord first,</span><br />
+Daughter of sin, among the irrational<br />
+Death introduced: through fierce antipathy,<br />
+Beast now with beast &#8217;gan war, and fowl with fowl,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And fish with fish; to graze the herb all leaving,</span><br />
+Devoured each other.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The question arises here, whether such views are sustained by the Bible
+and by science. Few, I presume, would seriously maintain that the act of
+our first parents, which produced what Dr. Chalmers calls &#8220;an unhingement&#8221;
+of the human race, resulted likewise in a change in the motion of the
+earth and the heavenly bodies; since the Bible so clearly describes the
+previous ordination of days, years, and seasons, on the fourth day of
+creation. And is there any thing in the language of the Bible that will
+justify the opinion that such changes as this theory supposes took place
+in the productions of the earth, and in the nature of its animals? No
+anatomist can surely be made to believe that, without a constant miracle,
+our carnivorous animals can have become herbivorous, without such a change
+in their organization as must have amounted to a new creation. And such a
+metamorphosis can hardly have passed unnoticed by the sacred writer. True,
+only the gramineous and herbaceous substances are in the Bible given to
+the inferior animals for food, while the fruits are assigned to man. But
+this passage seems only to be a designation of one part of vegetable
+productions to men, and another to other animals, and can hardly be
+supposed to preclude the idea that there might be other tribes requiring
+animal food.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>The sentence pronounced upon the serpent for his agency in man&#8217;s apostasy
+seems, at first view, favorable to the opinion that animal natures
+experienced at the same time important changes; for he is supposed to have
+been deprived of limbs, and condemned henceforth to crawl upon the earth,
+and to make the dust his food. But is it the most probable interpretation
+of this passage, which makes the tempter a literal serpent, or only a
+symbolical one? The naturalist does not surely find that serpents live
+upon dust, for they all are carnivorous, and they are as perfectly adapted
+to crawl upon the ground as other animals to different modes of
+progression; and though <i>cursed above all cattle</i>, they are apparently as
+happy as other animals. Hence the probability is, that an evil spirit is
+described in Genesis under the name and figure of a serpent. This
+conclusion is supported by other parts of Scripture, where the tempter is
+in several places declared to be <i>the devil</i>, <i>the old serpent</i>, and <i>the
+great dragon</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A part of the sentence passed upon man seems, also, at first view, to
+imply an important change in the vegetable productions of the earth; for
+the ground is cursed for man&#8217;s sake: it would henceforth produce to him
+thorns and thistles, and in the sweat of his brow must he eat of the
+fruits of it, all the days of his life. Now, will not the condition and
+character of Adam show how this curse might be fulfilled, without any
+change in the productions of the soil? The garden of Eden, where man had
+lived in his innocence, was doubtless some sunny and balmy spot, where the
+air was delicious, and the earth poured forth her abundant fruits
+spontaneously; and although he was called to keep and dress that garden,
+yet, with a contented and holy heart, and with no factitious wants, the
+work was neither labor nor sorrow. But now he is driven from that garden
+into regions far less fertile,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> where the sterile soil can be made to
+yield its fruits only by the sweat of the brow, and where the thorn and
+the thistle dispute their right of soil with salutary plants; and in his
+heart, too, unholy and unsubdued passions have place, which will infuse
+sorrow into all his labors.</p>
+
+<p>As I have remarked in another place, I cannot see why the functions of
+animal and vegetable organization might not have gone on forever without
+decay and death, if such had been the Creator&#8217;s will. In other words, I do
+not see why the operation of the organs should at length be impeded and
+cease, as we know they do universally. Hence I can conceive that it might
+have been otherwise originally; and in the case of man it is possible, as
+we shall see farther on, that a change of this sort may have taken place
+at the time of his apostasy. But, after all, it strikes me that the Bible
+furnishes very clear evidence that the same system of decay and death
+prevailed before the apostasy which now prevails. The command given, both
+to animals and to man, to be fruitful and multiply, implies the removal of
+successive races by death; otherwise the world would ere long be
+overstocked. A system of death is certainly a necessary counterpart to a
+system of reproduction; and hence, where we know the one to exist, the
+presumption is very strong that the other exists also. There is no escape
+from this inference, except to call in the aid of miraculous power to
+preserve the proper balance among different races of animals, by
+preventing their multiplication. Such an interference I am always ready to
+admit, where the Scriptures assert it. But to imagine a miracle without
+proof, merely to escape a fair conclusion, is, to say the least, very
+wretched logic. God never introduces a miracle where he can employ the
+ordinary agency of nature for accomplishing his purposes. Nor should we
+resort to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> without the express testimony of the Bible, which, on this
+subject, is our only source of evidence.</p>
+
+<p>We have in Scripture the same kind of proof that plants were subject to
+decay and death, before the fall, as we have in respect to animals. For in
+the account of the creation of plants on the third day, we find them
+described as bearing seeds; and does not this clearly imply the same
+system of reproduction which now exists throughout the vegetable kingdom?
+In short, an unprejudiced mind, in reading the history of the world in
+Genesis, before and after the fall, can hardly fail of the conviction,
+that animals and plants were originally created on the same plan, as to
+reproduction, decay, and death, which now prevails. Great, indeed, must
+have been the change at the fall, if, previous to that time, their
+structure excluded all the organs and means of reproduction; as must have
+been the case if decay and death were also excluded. And it is strange
+that the sacred writer should take no notice of such a change. He states
+the effect of sin upon the three parties directly concerned in it, viz.,
+the tempter, Adam, and Eve; and if a transformation of all vegetable and
+animal natures, great enough almost to constitute a new creation, did take
+place, it could hardly have been passed in silence. Even in the case of
+man, we have no remarkable physical change. The effect seems to have been
+chiefly confined to his intellectual constitution, where we should expect
+the effect of sin to be primarily felt. There, indeed, in man&#8217;s noblest
+part, has the havoc been the most terrific, and powerfully has its
+operation there reacted upon the body, so as to make death, in the case of
+man, the king of terrors.</p>
+
+<p>We find, then, insuperable objections to the prevalent notion that an
+entire revolution took place at the fall in the material world, and
+especially in organic nature. Those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> passages of Scripture which,
+literally interpreted, seem to imply some changes of this sort, are easily
+understood as vivid figurative representations of the effects of sin upon
+men, while their literal interpretation would involve us in inextricable
+difficulties. We rest, therefore, in the conclusion, that, whatever
+connection there may be between death and the existing system of organic
+and inorganic nature, no important change took place at the time of man&#8217;s
+first transgression; in other Words, the present system is that which was
+originally determined upon in the divine mind, and not the original plan
+altered after man&#8217;s transgression.</p>
+
+<p><i>The fourth step in the investigation of this subject leads me to attempt
+to show that, in the present system of the world, death, to the inferior
+animals, is a benevolent provision, and to man, also, when not aggravated
+or converted into a curse by his own sin.</i></p>
+
+<p>In examining this point, as well as many others in natural theology, where
+the existence of evil is concerned, we must assume that the present system
+of the world is the best which infinite wisdom and benevolence could
+devise. And this we may consistently do. For the prominent design
+throughout nature appears to be beneficial to animal natures, and
+suffering is only incidental, and happiness, moreover, is superadded to
+the functions of animals, where it is unnecessary to the perfect
+performance of the function. We may be certain, therefore, that the Author
+of such a system can neither be malevolent nor indifferent to the
+happiness of animals, but must be benevolent; and, therefore, the system
+must be the best possible, since such a Being could constitute no other.</p>
+
+<p>Now, death being an essential feature of such a system, we should expect
+to find it, as a whole, a benevolent provision. But, in the case of man,
+the Bible represents it as a penal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> infliction, and such is its general
+aspect in the human family. So far as the mere extinction of life is
+concerned, it is the same in man as in other animals; but sin arms it with
+a deadly sting, by pointing the offender to a world of retribution, as he
+sees the menacing dart of the great destroyer aimed at his heart. And,
+indeed, through all his days, man&#8217;s power of anticipation keeps death ever
+before him, as the end of all his present enjoyments, and the
+commencement, it may be, of unmitigated suffering. But the inferior
+animals, being incapable of sin, find none of these aggravations to give
+keenness to their final sufferings. No anticipation of death keeps it ever
+in view, as a terrific enemy. No guilty conscience points them to a
+righteous throne of judgment, where they must be arraigned. But when the
+stroke comes, it falls unexpectedly, and the mere physical suffering is
+all that gives severity to their dissolution.</p>
+
+<p>In the case of man, too, there is the sundering of ties too strong for any
+thing but death to break;&mdash;ties which bind him to kindred, friends, and
+country; and often this separation constitutes the most painful part of
+the closing scene. But in the case of animals, we have no reason to
+suppose these attachments, so far as they exist, to be very strong; nay,
+in most cases they are certainly very weak. And even did they exist, the
+brute would not be conscious that death would remove him from the society
+of his beloved companions.</p>
+
+<p>The inferior animals, also, usually die either a violent and sudden death,
+inflicted by some carnivorous enemy, or in extreme old age, by mere decay
+of the natural powers, without disease. The violent death can usually have
+in it little of suffering; and the slow decay still less. But although
+some men die violent deaths, how few survive to extreme old age,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> and sink
+at last almost unconsciously into the grave, because the vital energies
+are exhausted! Were this the case, the physical terrors of death would be
+almost taken away, and we should pass as quietly into eternity as a lamp
+goes out when the oil is exhausted. But in general we see a constitution
+yet unbroken, struggling with fierce disease, and yielding to its fate
+only with terrific agonies; because sin has early implanted the seeds of
+disease in the constitution.</p>
+
+<p>Imagine, now, that death should come upon a man in the course of nature;
+that is, without disease, and with little suffering, and with no painful
+forebodings of conscience. Suppose, moreover, that the dying individual
+should feel that the change passing upon him would assuredly introduce him
+to a new and spiritual body, undecaying, and adapted to the operations of
+the mind; that it would, in fact, be <i>the building of God, the house not
+made with hands, eternal in the heavens</i>; and that the soul, after death,
+would enter into free and full communion with all that is great and
+ennobling in the universe; and that joys, inconceivable and eternal, would
+henceforth be its portion: O, how different would such a death be from
+what we usually witness! Yet, were men all to accept of the offered ransom
+from sin and death, and, under the guidance of pure religious principle,
+were to pay a strict regard to hygienic laws, such would be, for the most
+part, the character of the death they would experience. The excepted cases
+would be those of violent and sudden death from accident, or of disease
+from unavoidable exposure, and they would be comparatively few. So that,
+in fact, an observance of the laws, physical and moral, which God has
+ordained, would change almost the entire aspect of death, even in this
+fallen world.</p>
+
+<p>These remarks seem necessary in order to obtain a correct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> idea of the
+character of death, when not aggravated by the sins of men. For those
+aggravations seem superadded, in the case of men, as penal inflictions for
+their sins; and we ought to leave them out of the account, when we are
+considering death as a benevolent provision. I do not contend that death,
+even in its mildest forms, is no evil; nor that the apostasy of man was
+not the cause of its introduction into the world. These points I shall
+consider in another place. But I contend that, in the present system of
+the world, death, when not aggravated by the sins of men, is to be
+regarded as a benevolent provision, bringing with it more happiness than
+misery; although, had sin never existed, a system productive of still
+greater enjoyment might have been adopted in this world. But as the
+arrangements of the world now are, death affords the following evidences
+of infinite benevolence and wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>first place</i>, it is a transfer from a lower to a higher state of
+existence.</p>
+
+<p>Let me here be understood distinctly as speaking only of the death of
+those accountable beings, who, by the transforming power of grace, have
+become prepared for a higher and perfectly holy state of being. For the
+death of all others can be looked on only in the light of a terrible penal
+infliction. But the righteous, when they die,&mdash;and all may, if they will,
+become righteous,&mdash;have before them the certain prospect of immortal
+happiness, such as <i>eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it
+entered the heart of man to conceive</i>. They enter upon <i>fulness of joy,
+and pleasures forevermore</i>; and therefore death to them is infinite gain.</p>
+
+<p>Whether the inferior animals will exist again after death is a more
+doubtful point. There is certainly nothing in Scripture decisive against
+their future existence; for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> passage in Psalms which says, that <i>man
+that is in honor and abideth not is like the brutes that perish</i>, if
+understood to mean the annihilation of animals, would prove also the
+annihilation of wicked men. And while most men of learning and piety have
+suspended their opinion on the existence of the inferior animals after
+death, for want of evidence, some have been decided advocates of the
+future happy existence of all beings, who exhibit a spark of intelligence.
+Not a few distinguished German theologians and philosophers regard the
+whole visible creation, both animate and inanimate, as at present in a
+confined and depressed state, and struggling for freedom. On this
+principle Tholuck explains that most difficult passage in Romans, which
+declares <i>that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain
+until now</i>. He supposes this &#8220;bound or fettered state of nature,&#8221; both
+animate and inanimate, to have a casual connection with sin, and the death
+accompanying it among men; and, therefore, when men are freed from sin and
+death, <i>the creation itself, also, shall be delivered from the bondage of
+corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God</i>. The kingdom
+of God, according to Tholuck, Martin Luther, and many other distinguished
+theologians, will not be transferred to heaven at the end of the world,
+but be established on earth, where all these transformations of the
+animate and inanimate creation will take place.</p>
+
+<p>This exposition surely carries with it a great deal of naturalness and
+probability; and if it be true, death to the inferior animals must surely
+be an indication of great benevolence on the part of the Deity, since it
+introduces them to a higher state of existence. But if it be rejected,
+still the general principle is eminently applicable to the case of man.</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>second place</i>, the system of a succession of races<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> of animals on
+earth, which death alone would render possible, secures a much greater
+collective amount of happiness than a single race of animals, endowed with
+earthly immortality. I sustain this position by three arguments. The first
+is, that young animals enjoy more, in the same period of time, than those
+more advanced in age. This may result, in part, in the present
+organization of animals, from the superior health and vigor enjoyed by the
+young. But it is due, also, in part, and largely, to the novelty of the
+scenes presented in early life. And so far as it results from the latter
+cause, it proves that a succession of races would enjoy more than a single
+race continued indefinitely, because the successive races would always be
+comparatively young. A single continuous race might, indeed, be supposed
+always possessed of the unabated vigor and health of youth; but, of
+necessity, objects must soon lose the charm of novelty, and, therefore,
+produce less of enjoyment. The second argument is, that a succession of
+races admits of the contemporaneous existence of a greater number of
+species than could coexist were none removed by death. If only one undying
+race occupied the globe, it must subsist exclusively on vegetable food.
+Whereas much the largest part of the species that now live are carnivorous
+or omnivorous. All the enjoyment of these flesh-eating animals is,
+therefore, so much clear gain to the stock of happiness, with the
+exception of the suffering which death inflicts. Now, but few of the
+inferior animals perish by disease. Some die by old age, and these suffer
+almost nothing. But the greater part are suddenly destroyed by the violent
+assault of the carnivorous races. And as the pangs of death are momentary,
+and there are no anticipations of its approach, nor sunderings of the ties
+of affection, nor dread of an hereafter, the suffering endured must be an
+exceedingly small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> drawback upon the enjoyment of the whole life. It is
+far less than it would be, if animals were left to perish by famine, or by
+slow degrees, from deficient nourishment; so that the existence of the
+carnivorous races, seeming at first view intended to convert the world
+into a vast Golgotha, does in fact add greatly to the amount of enjoyment,
+because it so prodigiously multiplies the number of species of animals,
+and lessens the sufferings of death. In the third place, death exerts a
+salutary moral influence upon man, and, as a consequence, swells the
+amount of his happiness. And although this consideration affects only one
+species, yet man&#8217;s position on the scale of being makes his happiness an
+object of no small importance.</p>
+
+<p>The final conclusions at which we arrive, then, are, first, that death is
+a fixed and universal law of nature, essential to the existence of the
+present system of the world; and secondly, that, like all other laws of
+nature, it exhibits marks of benevolence, and wise adaptation on the part
+of the Author of nature. The question will indeed arise in every
+reflecting mind, why a Being of infinite power and wisdom could not have
+secured to his creatures the benefits resulting from a system of death,
+without the attendant suffering. But this question resolves itself into
+the inquiry, why evil exists at all; and although, in my own view, it
+exists most probably as a means of greater happiness to the universe, yet
+on this point the wisest minds have differed and been baffled, and equally
+perplexing is it to every form of religion. Hence it is no objection to
+any views we may adopt, that they leave this question where they found it.</p>
+
+<p><i>The fifth and last step in our investigation of this subject is to show
+how science, experience, and revelation may be reconciled on the subject
+of death.</i></p>
+
+<p>We have seen that geology is not alone in proving death<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> to be a law of
+nature, essential to the present system of the world, and, indeed,
+indicative of divine wisdom and benevolence. For anatomy and physiology,
+as well as experience, teach us the same truths. And natural theology
+shows that, if death is a law of organic nature, it must have entered into
+the plan of the universe in the divine mind, and was not the result of any
+change of organic nature subsequent to the fall of man. Can these views be
+reconciled with the declarations of Scripture, which certainly represent
+death among the human family, if not among the lower animals, to be the
+consequence of sin?</p>
+
+<p>There are three suppositions by which all apparent discrepancy between
+science and revelation, on this subject, may be removed. I shall present
+them, with the arguments in their favor, leaving to others to decide which
+is most reasonable. For they are independent of one another, though not
+inconsistent; and, therefore, even though different persons should prefer
+different theories, they need not be regarded as in opposition to one
+another.</p>
+
+<p>The first theory proceeds on the supposition that death is a universal law
+of organic nature, from which man was exempted so long as he obeyed the
+law of God. But I will present it in the language of its distinguished
+author. &#8220;In the state of pristine purity,&#8221; says Dr. J. Pye Smith, &#8220;the
+bodily constitution of man was exempted from the law of progress towards
+dissolution, which belonged to the inferior animals. It must have been
+maintained in that distinguished peculiarity by means to us unknown; and
+it would seem probable that, had not man fallen by his transgression, he,
+and each of his posterity, would, after faithfully sustaining an
+individual probation, have passed through a change without dying, and have
+been exalted to a more perfect state of existence.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Scrip. and Geol.</i>
+4th ed. p. 208.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>According to this theory of Dr. Smith, man saw all other organic beings
+around him subject to decay and death, while he, as a special favor,
+remained unaffected by the general law. The penalty of disobedience was,
+that he would forfeit this enviable distinction, and be subjected to death
+more revolting than the brutes. The reward of obedience was a continued
+immunity from evil, and a final translation, without suffering, to a more
+exalted condition. And certainly the nature of the case furnishes a strong
+presumptive argument to show that man did thus stand exempted from the
+decay and death which reigned all around him. If not, what weight or
+meaning would there be in the penalty? If he had not seen death in other
+animals, how could he have any idea of the nature of the threatening? And
+we may be sure that God never promulgates a penalty without affording his
+subjects the means of comprehending it.</p>
+
+<p>I have already intimated that I could hardly see why there exists in all
+organic natures a tendency to decay and death, except in the will of the
+Creator. May not that tendency result, like the varieties among men, from
+some slightly modifying cause implanted by the Deity in the nature of the
+animal or plant? And if so, might not an opposite tendency be imparted to
+one or more species, so that the decay and death of the one, and the
+continued existence of the other, might be equally well explained on
+physiological principles? If this suggestion be admitted, it would not be
+necessary to resort to any supernatural or miraculous agency to show how
+sinless man in paradise might have stood unaffected by decay, the common
+lot of all other races. It must be confessed, however, that it is not as
+easy to see how, by any natural law, he could have been proof against
+mechanical violence and chemical agencies; there we must admit miraculous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>
+protection, or a self-restoring power more wonderful than that possessed
+by the polypi.</p>
+
+<p>These views receive strong confirmation from the history of the tree of
+life, that grew in the garden of Eden. The very name implies that it was
+intended to give or preserve life. That it had in it a power to preserve
+life is evident from the sentence pronounced on man. <i>And the Lord God
+saith, Behold, the man hath become as one of us, to know good and evil;
+and now, lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
+life, and live forever, therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the
+garden of Eden.</i> Now, it appears to me to be in perfect harmony with the
+principles of physiology to suppose that there might be a virtue in the
+tree of life&mdash;either in its fruit or some other part&mdash;to arrest that
+tendency to decay and dissolution which we now find in all animal bodies.
+It does seem that it would require only some slight modification of the
+present functions of the human frame to keep the wheels of life in motion
+indefinitely. When in Eden, man had access to this sure defence against
+disease. But after he had sinned, he must forfeit this privilege, and,
+like the plants and inferior animals, submit to the universal law of
+dissolution. Surely, of all the expositions that have been given of the
+meaning of this passage, this is the most rational, and it does throw an
+air of great plausibility over Dr. Smith&#8217;s views.</p>
+
+<p>It will occur to every reflecting mind that we have in Scripture a few
+interesting examples of that change, without dying, from the present to a
+higher state of being, which the theory of Dr. Smith supposes would have
+been the happy lot of all mankind had they not sinned. <i>By faith Enoch was
+translated, that he should not see death. He walked with God, and he was
+not; for God took him.</i> Gladly would philosophys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> here interpose a
+thousand questions as to the manner in which this wonderful change took
+place; but the Scriptures are silent. It was enough for the heart of piety
+that God was the author of the change. And so, in the case of Elijah, we
+have the sublimely simple description only&mdash;<i>And it came to pass, as they
+still went on and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,
+and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a
+whirlwind into heaven.</i> Except the transfiguration of Christ, which
+appears to have been of an analogous character, these are all the actual
+examples of translation on record. But the apostle declares that, in the
+closing scene of this world&#8217;s history, this same change shall pass upon
+multitudes. <i>Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep; but we
+shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
+trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
+incorruptible, and we shall be changed.</i> Abundant evidence is, therefore,
+before us, that the great change which death now causes us to pass through
+with fear and dread, might as easily have been, for the whole human
+family, a transition delightful in anticipation and joyful in experience.</p>
+
+<p>The second theory which will reconcile science and revelation on the
+subject of death, is one long since illustrated by Jeremy Taylor. And
+since he could have had no reference to geology in proposing it, because
+geology did not exist in his day, we may be sure, either that he learnt it
+from the Bible, or that other branches of knowledge teach the existence of
+death as a general law of nature, as well as geology.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That death, therefore,&#8221; says Taylor, &#8220;which God threatened to Adam, and
+which passed upon his posterity, is not the going out of this world, but
+the manner of going. If he had staid in innocence, he should have gone
+placidly and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> fairly, without vexatious and afflictive circumstances; he
+should not have died by sickness, defect, misfortune, or unwillingness.
+But when he fell, then he began to die; the same day, (God said,) and that
+must needs be true; and, therefore, it must mean upon that very day he
+fell into an evil and dangerous condition, a state of change and
+affliction; then death began; that is, man began to die by a natural
+diminution, and aptness to disease and misery. Change or separation of
+soul and body is but accidental to death; death may be with or without
+either; but the formality, the curse, and the sting,&mdash;that is, misery,
+sorrow, fear, diminution, defect, anguish, dishonor, and whatsoever is
+miserable and afflictive in nature,&mdash;that is death. Death is not an
+action, but a whole state and condition; and this was first brought in
+upon us by the offence of one man.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In more recent times, the essential features of these views of Taylor have
+been adopted by the ablest commentators and theologians, and sustained by
+an appeal to Scripture.<small><a name="f9.1" id="f9.1" href="#f9">[9]</a></small> The position which they take is, that the death
+threatened as the penalty of disobedience has a more extended meaning than
+physical death. It is a generic term, including all penal evils; so that
+when death is spoken of as the penalty of sin, we may substitute the word
+<i>curse</i>, <i>wrath</i>, <i>destruction</i>, and the like. Thus, in Gen. ii. 17, we
+might read, <i>In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely be cursed</i>:
+and in Rom. v. 12, <i>By one man sin entered into the world, and the curse
+by sin</i>, &amp;c. In his commentary on this passage, Professor Stuart says, &#8220;I
+see no <i>philological</i> escape from the conclusion that death, in the sense
+of <i>penalty for sin in its full measure</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> must be regarded as the meaning
+of the writer here.&#8221; The same may be said of many other passages of
+Scripture, where the term <i>death</i> is used.</p>
+
+<p>According to this exposition, the death threatened as the penalty of
+transgression embraces all the evils we suffer in this life and in
+eternity; among which the dissolution of the body is not one of the worst.
+Indeed, some writers will not admit that this was included at all in the
+penalty. Such, of course, find no difficulty in the geological statement
+that literal death preceded man&#8217;s existence. But from the declaration in 1
+Cor. xv. 22, <i>As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
+alive</i>, it seems difficult to avoid the conclusion, that the death of the
+body was brought in upon the race by Adam&#8217;s transgression. According to
+Taylor&#8217;s view, however, we might reasonably suppose that what constituted
+the death threatened to Adam was not the going out of the world, but the
+manner of going, and that, had he continued holy, a change of worlds might
+have taken place, but it would not have been death.</p>
+
+<p>Now, there are some facts, both in experience and revelation, that give to
+these views an air of probability. One is, the mild character of death in
+many cases, when attended by only a few of the circumstances above
+enumerated, as constituting its essence. I believe that experience
+sustains the conclusion already drawn as to the inferior animals, when not
+aggravated by human cruelty. Pain is about the only circumstance that
+gives it the character of severity; and this is usually short, and not
+anticipated. Nor can it be doubted, as a general fact, that, as we descend
+along the scale of animals, we find the sensibility to suffering diminish.
+But in the human family we find examples still more to the point. In all
+those cases in which there is little or no disease, and a man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> in
+venerable old age feels the powers of life gradually give way, and the
+functions are feebly performed, until the heart at length ceases to beat,
+and the lungs to heave, death is merely the quiet and unconscious
+termination of the scene, so far as the physical nature is concerned. The
+brain partakes of the gradual decay, and thus the man is scarcely
+conscious of the failure of his powers, because his sensibilities are so
+blunted; and therefore, apart from sin, his mind feels little of the
+anguish of dissolution, and he quietly resigns himself into the arms of
+death,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 7em;">&#8220;As sweetly as a child,</span><br />
+Whom neither thought disturbs, nor care encumbers,<br />
+Tired with long play, at close of summer&#8217;s day,<br />
+Lies down and slumbers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>If now, in addition to this physical preparation for his departure, the
+man possesses a deep consciousness of forgiven sin, and a firm hope of
+future and eternal joy, this change, which we call death, becomes only a
+joyful translation from earth to heaven; and though the man passes from
+our view,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 11em;">&#8220;He sets,</span><br />
+As sets the morning star, which goes not down<br />
+Behind the darkened west, nor hides obscured<br />
+Among the tempests of the sky, but melts away<br />
+Into the light of heaven.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Nay, when such faith and hope form an anchor to the soul, it is not
+necessary that the physical preparation, which I have described, should
+exist. The poor body may be torn by fierce disease, nay, by the infernal
+cruelties of martyrdom, and yet faith can rise&mdash;often has risen&mdash;over the
+pains of nature, in joyful triumph; and in the midst of the tempest, with
+her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> anchor fastened to the eternal Rock, she can exclaim, <i>O death, where
+is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be to God, which
+giveth me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ.</i> Surely such a
+dissolution as this cannot mean the death mentioned in the primeval curse.</p>
+
+<p>Look now at the contrast. Behold a man writhing in the fangs of
+unrelenting disease, and feeling at the same time the scorpion sting of a
+guilty conscience. His present suffering is terrible, but that in prospect
+is more so; yet he cannot bribe the king of terrors to delay the fatal
+stroke.</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 13em;">&#8220;The foe,</span><br />
+Like a stanch murderer, steady to his purpose,<br />
+Urges the soul through every nook and lane of life.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It were enough for an unruffled mind to bear the bodily anguish of that
+dying hour. But the unpardoned sins of a whole life, and the awful
+retributions of a whole eternity, come crowding into that point of time;
+and no human fortitude can stand under the crushing load. This, this is
+emphatically death; the genuine fruit of sin, and therefore in
+correspondence with the original threatening.</p>
+
+<p>If we turn now to the Scriptures, we shall find some passages in striking
+agreement with the opinion that the death threatened to man was not the
+mere dissolution of the body and soul; not a mere going out of the world,
+but the manner of going.</p>
+
+<p>This is, indeed, made exceedingly probable by the facts already stated
+respecting the translation of Enoch and Elijah, and those alive at the
+coming of Christ. For the sacred writers do not call this death, although
+it be a removal out of the world, and a transformation of the natural into
+the spiritual body. Hence, upon the material part of men, the same effects
+were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> produced as result from ordinary death, and the subsequent
+resurrection.</p>
+
+<p>If we recur to the original threatening of death as the consequence of
+sin, we shall find a peculiarity in the form of expression, which our
+English translators have rendered by the phrase <i>thou shalt surely die</i>;
+but literally it should be, <i>dying thou shalt die</i>.</p>
+
+<p>This mode of expression is indeed very common in the Hebrew language; but
+it certainly was meant to indicate an intensity in the meaning, as in the
+phrase <i>blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee</i>;
+that is, I will greatly multiply thee. Must it not imply, in the case
+under consideration, at least that the death which would be the
+consequence of transgression, would possess an aggravated character? May
+it not imply as much as Taylor&#8217;s theory supposes? Might it not be intended
+to teach Adam that, when he died, his death should not be simply the
+dissolution of the animal fabric, and the loss of animal life, as he
+witnessed it in the inferior creatures around him; but a change far more
+agonizing, in which the mental suffering should so much outweigh the
+corporeal as to constitute, in fact, its essence? I do not assert that
+this passage has such an extended meaning, but I suggest it. And I confess
+that I do not see why its peculiarity of form is understood in our common
+translation to imply certainty rather than intensity.</p>
+
+<p>There is another part of the threatening that deserves consideration. It
+says, that man should not only die, but die the very day of the offence.
+Now, if by death we understood merely a removal out of the world, or a
+separation of soul and body, the threatening was not executed after the
+forbidden fruit was tasted. But if it meant also, and chiefly, a state of
+sorrow, pain, and suffering, a liability to disease and fatal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> accident,
+the goadings of a guilty conscience, and the consequent fear of punishment
+beyond the grave, then death began on the very day when man sinned, and
+the dissolution of the soul and body was but the closing scene of the
+tragedy.</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful passage in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, already
+quoted, where the Christian, in view of death, exultingly exclaims, <i>O
+death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory!</i> will doubtless
+occur to all who hear me, in this connection. Here the sting of death is
+expressly declared to be sin, and that the pardoned Christian obtains the
+victory over it. To him all that renders this king of terrors formidable
+is gone. Its physical sufferings may indeed be left, but these are hardly
+worth naming, when that which constitutes the sting of this great
+enemy&mdash;unpardoned guilt&mdash;is taken away. Little more than his harmless
+shadow is left. Worlds, indeed, are to be exchanged, and so they must have
+been if Adam had never been driven from paradise. The eyes, too, must
+close on beloved friends; but how soon to open them upon the bright
+glories of heaven! In short, the strong impression of this passage upon
+the mind is, that the essential thing in death is unpardoned sin; and
+therefore the death threatened to Adam may have been only the terrible
+aggravations of a departure out of this world, which have followed in the
+train of transgression.</p>
+
+<p>Another striking passage, bearing upon the same point, is the declaration
+of Paul, that <i>Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and brought life and
+immortality to light through the gospel</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The apostle does not surely mean that Christians are freed from what is
+commonly called death, since universal experience shows that animal life
+in them is as sure to be extinguished, and the soul to be separated from
+the body, as in others. But so different is death now, since Christ has
+brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> to light a future and an immortal life, and by the sacrifice of
+himself shown how the heart may be reconciled to God, and sin forgiven,
+and faith inspired, that, in fact, while the shadow of death still
+occupies the passage to eternity, its substance is gone.</p>
+
+<p>That death, which sin introduced, Christ has abolished, because, by his
+sacrifice and his grace, he has conquered sin.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the whole, though we may not be convinced that either of the theories
+that have been explained is directly taught in the Scriptures, or can be
+shown to be infallibly true, yet they are sustained by probable evidence
+enough to remove the apprehension that there is any real discrepancy
+between geology and revelation on the subject of death. Between these
+theories there is but a slight difference. They are in fact but
+modifications of the same general principles; and I say it would be more
+philosophical to admit the truth of either of them, than a disagreement
+between science and Scripture, since the truth of both geology and
+revelation is sustained by such a mass of independent evidence.</p>
+
+<p>An objection, however, may be stated against both of these theories, on
+the ground that they seem to imply that death would have existed in the
+world, irrespective of the sin of man, and therefore they lessen our sense
+of the evil of sin.</p>
+
+<p>It may be doubted, I think, whether these theories do necessarily imply
+that there was no connection between the sin of man and the introduction
+of death into the world. But, admitting that they do, is it certain that
+inadequate views of sin are the result? For poetic effect, we admire the
+sublime sentimentalism of Milton:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Earth felt the wound; and Nature, from her seat,<br />
+Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe<br />
+That all was lost.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>But, after all, the deepest impression we get of the evil of sin is
+derived from contemplating its effects upon man, and especially the
+immortal mind. Witness its lofty powers bowed down in ignominious
+servitude to base corporeal appetites and furious and debasing passions.
+See how the understanding is darkened, the will perverted, and the heart
+alienated from all that is holy. See reason and conscience dethroned, and
+selfishness reigning in gloomy and undisputed tyranny over the immortal
+mind, while appetite and passion have become its obsequious panders. See
+how the affections turn away with loathing from God, and what a wall of
+separation has sprung up between man and his Maker; how deeply and
+universally he has revolted from his rightful sovereign, and has chosen
+other gods to rule over him. Consider, too, what havoc has been made in
+the body, that curious and wonderful workmanship of the Almighty; how the
+unbridled appetites have sown the seeds of disease therein, and how pain,
+languor, and decay assail the constitution as soon as we begin to live,
+and cease not their attacks till they triumph over the citadel of life.
+Consult the history of the world, and what a lazar-house and a Golgotha
+has it been! What land has not been drenched in human blood, poured out in
+ferocious war! What oceans of tears has the thirsty soil drank up! What
+breeze has ever blown over the land which has not been loaded with sighs,
+and groans, and the story of wrong and oppression, of treachery and
+murder, of suicide and assassination, of blasted hopes and despairing
+hearts! These, therefore, are the genuine fruits of sin. This, this is
+death. And, need I add that these are but the precursors of the second
+death?</p>
+
+<p>The third theory respecting death takes a more comprehensive view of the
+subject, and traces its origin to the divine plan of the creation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>In creating this world, God did not act without a plan previously
+determined upon in all its details. Of course, man&#8217;s character and
+condition formed prominent items in that plan. His apostasy, too, however
+some would hesitate to regard it as predetermined, all will allow to have
+been foreknown. Now, I maintain that God, in the beginning, adapted every
+other being and event in the world to man&#8217;s character and condition, so
+that there should be entire harmony in its system. And since, either in
+the divine appointment, or in the nature of things, there is an
+inseparable connection between sin and death, the latter must constitute a
+feature of the system of the world, because a free agent would introduce
+the former. Death would ultimately exist in the world, and, therefore, all
+creatures placed in such a world must be made mortal, at whatever period
+created. For mortal and immortal natures could not exist in the same
+natural constitution, nor could a condition adapted to undying creatures
+be changed into a state of decay and death without an entirely new
+creation. Death, therefore, entered into the original plan of the world in
+the divine mind, and was endured by the animals and plants that lived
+anterior to man. Yet, as the constitution of the world is, doubtless, very
+different from what it would have been if sin had not existed in it, and
+as man alone was capable of sin, it is proper to regard man&#8217;s
+transgression as the occasion of all the suffering and death that existed
+on the globe since its creation.</p>
+
+<p>It will probably be objected to this theory, that it is unjust to make
+animals suffer for man&#8217;s apostasy, especially before it took place.</p>
+
+<p>I do not see why such suffering is any more unjust before than after man&#8217;s
+transgression; and we know that they do now suffer in consequence of his
+sin. But this suffering is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> not to be regarded in the light of punishment;
+and if it can only be proved that benevolence predominates in the
+condition of animals, notwithstanding their sufferings, divine justice and
+benevolence are vindicated; and can there be any doubt that such is the
+fact? Death is not necessarily an evil to any animals. It may be a great
+blessing, by removing them to a higher state of existence. In the case of
+the inferior animals, it is but a small drawback upon the pleasure of
+life, even though they do not exist hereafter. We have endeavored to show
+that even the existence of carnivorous races is a benevolent provision.
+That animals are placed in an inferior condition, in consequence of man&#8217;s
+apostasy, is no more cause of complaint than that man is made a little
+lower than the angels.</p>
+
+<p>Another objection to these views is, that it makes the effect precede the
+cause; for it-represents the pre-Adamic animals as dying in consequence of
+man&#8217;s transgression.</p>
+
+<p>I do not maintain that the death of animals, before or after Adam, was the
+direct and natural consequence of his transgression. Nay, I am endeavoring
+to show directly the contrary. But, then, the certainty of man&#8217;s apostasy
+might have been the grand reason in the divine mind for giving to the
+world its present constitution, and subjecting animals to death. Not that
+God altered his plan upon a prospective knowledge that man would sin; but
+he made this plan originally, that is from eternity, with that event in
+view, and he made it different from what it would have been, if such an
+event had not been certain. If this be true, then was there a connection
+between man&#8217;s sin and the death that reigned before his existence; though,
+in strict accuracy of speech, one can hardly be called the cause of the
+other. And yet it was, as I maintain, occasioned by man&#8217;s sin, and shows
+the wide-spread influence of that occurrence, even more strikingly than
+the ordinary theory of death.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>A third objection to this theory is, that it represents God as putting man
+in a place of punishment before he had sinned; or, at least, in a state
+where death was the universal law, and where he must die, though he should
+keep the law of God.</p>
+
+<p>There are three suppositions, either of which will meet this difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>We may suppose, with Jeremy Taylor, that the death threatened to Adam
+consisted, not in going out of the world, but in the manner of going. If
+he had not sinned, the exchange of worlds would have been without fear or
+suffering, and an object of desire rather than aversion. Christ has not
+secured to the believer the privilege of an earthly immortality, but has
+taken away from a removal out of the world all that constitutes death.</p>
+
+<p>Or we may suppose, with Dr. J. Pye Smith, that, while man should continue
+to keep the divine law, he would be secured from that tendency to decay
+and dissolution, which was the common lot of all other creatures, until
+the time should come for his removal, without suffering or dread, to a
+higher state of existence. And that a means of immunity from death existed
+in the garden of Eden we learn from the Scriptures. For there stood the
+tree of life, whose fruit had the power to make man live forever, and,
+therefore, he must be banished from the spot where it grew.</p>
+
+<p>Or, finally, we may suppose that God fitted up for man some balmy spot,
+where neither decay nor death could enter, and where every thing was
+adapted for a being of perfect holiness and happiness. His privilege was
+to dwell there, so long as he could preserve his innocence, but no longer.
+And surely this supposition seems to accord with the description of the
+garden of Eden, man&#8217;s first dwelling-place. There every thing seems to
+have been adapted to his happiness; but sin drove him out among the thorns
+and thistles, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> cherubim and a flaming sword forbade his return to
+the tree of life.</p>
+
+<p>Either of these suppositions will meet the difficulty suggested by the
+objection; or they may all be combined consistently. Let us now look at
+some of the advantages of the third theory above advanced.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, it satisfactorily harmonizes revelation with geology,
+physiology, and experience, on the subject of death. It agrees with
+physiology and experience in representing death to be a law of organic
+being on the globe. Yet it accords with revelation, in showing how this
+law may be a result of man&#8217;s apostasy; and with geology, also, in showing
+how death might have reigned over animals and plants before man&#8217;s
+existence. To remove so many apparent discrepancies is surely a
+presumption in favor of any theory.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, the fundamental principle of this theory is also a
+fundamental principle of natural and revealed theology, viz., that all
+events in this world entered originally into the plan or purpose of the
+Deity. To suppose that God made the world without a plan previously
+determined upon, is to make him less wise than a human architect, who
+would be charged with great folly to attempt building even a house without
+a plan. And to suppose that plan not to extend to every event, is to rob
+God of his infinite attributes.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, this theory falls in with the common interpretation of
+Scripture, which refers the whole system of suffering, decay, and death in
+this world to man&#8217;s apostasy. And although the general reception of any
+exegesis of Scripture does not prove it to be correct, it is certainly
+gratifying when a thorough examination proves the obvious sense of a
+passage to be the true one. For to disturb the popular interpretation is,
+with many, equivalent to a denial of Scripture.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>In the fourth place, this theory shows us the infinite skill and
+benevolence of Jehovah in educing good from evil.</p>
+
+<p>The free agency of man was an object in the highest degree desirable. Yet
+such a character made him liable to fall; and God knew that he would fall.
+To human sagacity that act would seem to seal up his fate forever. But
+infinite wisdom saw that the case was not hopeless. It placed him in a
+state of temporal suffering and temporal death, that he might still have a
+chance of escaping eternal suffering and eternal death. The discipline of
+such a world was eminently adapted to restore his lost purity, and death
+was probably the only means by which a fallen being could pass to a higher
+state of existence. That discipline, indeed, if rightly improved, would
+probably fit him for a higher degree of holiness and happiness than if he
+had never sinned; so as to make true the paradoxical sentiment of the
+poet,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Death gives us more than was in Eden lost.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Misimproved, this discipline would result in an infinite loss, far greater
+than if man never passed through it. But this is all the fault of man;
+while all the benefit of a state of probation is the result of God&#8217;s
+infinite wisdom and benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>In the fifth place, this theory relieves us from the absurdity of
+supposing that God was compelled to alter the plan of creation after man&#8217;s
+apostasy.</p>
+
+<p>The common theory does convey an idea not much different from this. It
+makes the impression that God was disappointed when man sinned, and being
+thereby thwarted in his original purpose, he did the best he could by
+changing his plan, just as men do when some unexpected occurrence
+interferes with their short-sighted contrivances. Now, such an
+anthropomorphic view of God is inexcusable in the nineteenth century. It
+was necessary to use such representations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> in the early ages of the world,
+when pure spiritual ideas were unknown; and hence the Bible describes God
+as repenting and grieved that he had made man. But with the light of the
+New Testament and of modern science, we ought to be able to enucleate the
+true spiritual idea from such descriptions. The theory under consideration
+does not reduce God to any after-thought expedients, but makes provision
+for every occurrence in his original plan; and, of course, shows that
+every event takes place as he would have it, when viewed in its relations
+to the great system of the universe.</p>
+
+<p>In the sixth place, this theory sheds some light upon the important
+question, why God permitted the introduction of death into the world.</p>
+
+<p>It is difficult for some persons to conceive why God, when he foresaw
+Adam&#8217;s apostasy, did not change his plan of creation, and exclude so
+terrible an evil as death. But according to this theory, he permitted it,
+because it was a necessary part of a great system of restoration, by which
+the human race might, if not recreant to their true interests, be restored
+to more than their primeval blessedness. It was not introduced as a mere
+punishment, but as a necessary means of raising a fallen being into a
+higher state of life and blessedness; or, if he perversely spurned the
+offered boon, of sinking him down to the deeper wretchedness which is the
+just consequence of unrepented sin, without even the sympathy of any part
+of the created universe.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. This subject throws some light upon that strange mixture of good
+and evil, which exists in the present world. We have seen, indeed, that
+benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements of nature; and
+we are called upon continually to admire the adaptation of external nature
+to the human constitution. A large portion of our sufferings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> here may
+also be imputed to our own sins, or the sins of others; and these we
+cannot charge upon God. But, after all, it seems difficult to conceive how
+even a sinless man could escape a large amount of suffering here; enough,
+indeed, to make him often sigh for deliverance and for a better state. How
+many sources of sufferings there are in unhealthy climates, mechanical
+violence, and chemical agents; in a sterile soil, in the excessive heats
+of the tropical regions, and extreme cold of high latitudes; in the
+encroachments and ferocity of the inferior animals; in poisons, mineral,
+vegetable, and animal; in food unfitted to the digestive and assimilating
+organs; in the damps and miasms of night; and in the frequent necessity
+for over-exertion of body and mind! And then, how many hinderances to the
+exercise of the mental powers, in all the causes that have been mentioned!
+and how does the soul feel that she is imprisoned in flesh and blood, and
+her energies cramped, and her vision clouded, by a gross corporeal medium!
+And thus it is, to a great extent, with all nature, especially animal
+nature; and I cannot but believe, as already intimated, that Paul had
+these very things in mind when he said, <i>The whole creation groaneth and
+travaileth together in pain until now, and waiteth for the manifestation
+of the sons of God</i>; that is, for emancipation from its present depressed
+and fettered condition. In short, while there is so much in this world to
+call forth our admiration and gratitude to God, there is enough to make us
+feel, also, that it is a fallen condition. It is not such a world as
+infinite benevolence would provide for perfectly holy beings, whom he
+desired to make perfectly happy, but rather such a world as is adapted for
+a condition of trial and preparation for a higher state, when both mind
+and body would be delivered from the fetters that now cramp their
+exercise.</p>
+
+<p>Now, the theory which I advocate asserts that this peculiar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> condition of
+the world resulted from the divine determination, upon a prospective view
+of man&#8217;s transgression. It may, therefore, be properly regarded as
+occasioned by man&#8217;s transgression, but not in the common meaning attached
+to that phrase, which is, that, before man&#8217;s apostasy, the constitution of
+the world was different from what it now is, and death did not exist. This
+theory supposes God to have devised the present peculiar mixed condition
+of the world, as to good and evil, in eternity, in order to give man an
+opportunity to rescue himself from the penalty and misery of sin; and in
+order to introduce those who should do this into a higher state of
+existence. The plan, therefore, is founded in infinite wisdom and
+benevolence, while it brings out man&#8217;s guilt, and the evil of sin, in
+appalling distinctness and magnitude.</p>
+
+<p>But, after all, how little idea would a man have of the entire plot of a
+play, who had heard only a part of the first act! How little could he
+judge of the bearing of the first scene upon the final development! Yet we
+are now only in the first act of the great drama of human existence. Death
+shows us that we shall ere long be introduced into a second act, and
+affords a presumption that other acts&mdash;it may be in an endless
+series&mdash;will succeed, before the whole plot shall have passed before us;
+and not till then can we be certain what are all the objects to be
+accomplished by the introduction of sin and death into our world. And if
+thus early we can catch glimpses of great benefit to result from these
+evils, what full conviction, that infinite benevolence has planned and
+consummated the whole, will be forced upon the mind, when the vast
+panorama of God&#8217;s dispensations shall lie spread out in the memory! For
+that time shall Faith wait, in confident hope that all her doubts and
+darkness shall be converted into noonday brightness.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_IV" id="LECTURE_IV"></a>LECTURE IV.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES.</span></p>
+
+<p>The history of opinions respecting the deluge of Noah is one of the most
+curious and instructive in the annals of man. In this field, Christians
+have often broken lances with infidels, and also with one another. The
+unbeliever has confidently maintained that the Bible history of the deluge
+is at war with the facts and reasonings of science. Equally confident has
+been the believer that nature bears strong testimony to its occurrence.
+Some Christians, however, have asserted, with the infidel, that no trace
+remains on the face of nature of such an event. And as this is a subject
+which men are apt to suppose themselves masters of, when they have only
+skimmed the surface, the contest between these different parties has been
+severe and protracted. Almost every geological change which the earth has
+undergone, from its centre to its circumference, has, at one time or
+another, been ascribed to this deluge. And so plain has this seemed to
+those who had only a partial view of the facts, that those who doubted it
+were often denounced as enemies of revelation. But most of these opinions
+and this dogmatism are now abandoned, because both Nature and Scripture
+are better understood. And among well-informed geologists, at least, the
+opinion is almost universal, that there are no facts in their science
+which can be clearly referred to the Noachian deluge; that is, no traces
+in nature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> of that event; and on the other hand, that there is nothing in
+the Mosaic account of the deluge which would necessarily lead is to expect
+permanent marks of such a catastrophe within or upon the earth.</p>
+
+<p>If such be the case, you will doubtless inquire, what connection there is
+between geology and the revealed history of the deluge, and why the
+subject should be introduced into this series of lectures. I reply, that
+so recently have correct views been entertained on this subject, and so
+little understood are they; that they need to be defined and explained.
+And if the distribution of animals and plants on the globe come within the
+province of geology, then this science has a very important point of
+connection with the history of the deluge, as will appear in the sequel.
+And finally, the history of opinions on this subject is full of
+instruction to those who undertake to reason on the connection between
+science and religion. Obviously, then, my first object should be to give a
+brief history of the views that have been entertained respecting the
+deluge of Noah, so far as they have been supposed to have any connection
+with geology.</p>
+
+<p>It is well known, that in the written and unwritten traditions of almost
+every nation and tribe under heaven, the story of a general deluge has
+been prominent; and probably, in all these cases, some attempt has been
+made to explain the manner in which the waters were brought over the land.
+But most of these reasonings, especially in ancient times, are too absurd
+to deserve even to be recited. Indeed, it is not till the beginning of the
+sixteenth century, that we find any discussions on the subject worthy of
+notice. At that time, some excavations at Verona, in Italy, brought to
+light many fossil shells, and awakened a question as to their origin. Some
+maintained that they were only <i>simulacra</i>, or resemblances<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> to animals,
+but never had a real existence. They were supposed to have been produced
+by a certain &#8220;<i>materia pinguis</i>,&#8221; or &#8220;fatty matter,&#8221; existing in the
+earth. Others maintained that they were deposited by the deluge of Noah.
+Such, indeed, was the general opinion; but Fracastoro and a few others
+maintained that they were once real animals, and could not have been
+brought into their present condition by the last deluge. For more than
+three hundred years have these questions been more or less discussed; and
+though decided many years ago by all geologists, not a few intelligent men
+still maintain, that petrified shells are mere abortive resemblances of
+real beings, or that they were deposited by the deluge.</p>
+
+<p>The advocates of the diluvial origin of petrifactions soon found
+themselves hard pressed with the question, how these relics could be
+scattered through strata many thousand feet thick, by one transient flood.
+They, therefore, came to the conclusion, in the words of Woodward, a
+distinguished cosmogonist of the eighteenth century, that the &#8220;whole
+terrestrial globe was taken to pieces and dissolved at the flood, and the
+strata settled down from this promiscuous mass, as any earthy sediment
+from a fluid.&#8221; During that century, many works appeared upon cosmogony,
+defending similar views, by such men as Burnet, Scheuchzer, and Catcott.
+Some of these works exhibited no little ability, mixed, however, with
+hypotheses so extravagant that they have ever since been the butt of
+ridicule. The very title of Burnet&#8217;s work cannot but provoke a smile. It
+is called &#8220;The Sacred Theory of the Earth, containing an Account of the
+Original of the Earth, and of all the general Changes it bath already
+undergone, or is to undergo, till the Consummation of all Things.&#8221; He
+maintained that the primitive earth was only &#8220;an orbicular crust, smooth,
+regular, and uniform, without mountains and without a sea.&#8221; This crust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>
+rested on the surface of a watery abyss, and, being heated by the sun,
+became chinky; and in consequence of the rarefaction of the included
+vapors, it burst asunder, and fell down into the waters, and so was
+comminuted and dissolved, while the inhabitants perished. Catcott&#8217;s work
+was confined exclusively to the deluge, and exhibited a good deal of
+ability. He endeavored to show, that this dissolution of the earth by the
+deluge was taught in the Scriptures, and his reasoning on that point is a
+fine example of the state of biblical interpretation in his day. &#8220;As there
+are other texts,&#8221; says he, &#8220;which mention the dissolution of the earth, it
+may be proper to cite them. Ps. xlvi. 2. <i>God is our refuge; therefore
+will we not fear though the earth be removed</i>, [be changed, be quite
+altered, as it was at the deluge.] <i>God uttered his voice, the earth
+melted</i>, [flowed, dissolved to atoms.] Again, Job xxviii. 9. <i>He sent his
+hand</i> [the expansion, his instrument, or the agent by which he worked]
+<i>against the rock, he overturned the mountains by the roots, he caused the
+rivers to burst forth from between the rocks</i>, [or broke open the
+fountains of the abyss.] <i>His eye</i> [symbolically placed for light] <i>saw</i>
+[passed through, or between] <i>every minute thing</i>, [every-atom, and so
+dissolved the whole.] <i>He</i> [at last] <i>bound up the waters from weeping</i>,
+[i. e. from pressing through the shell of the earth, as tears make their
+way through the orb of the eye; or, as it is related, (Gen. viii. 2,) <i>He
+stopped the fountains of the abyss and the windows of heaven</i>,] <i>and
+brought out the light from its hiding-place</i>, [i. e., from the inward
+parts of the earth, from between every atom where it lay hid, and kept
+each atom separate from the other, and so the whole in a state of
+dissolution; his bringing out those parts of the light which caused the
+dissolution would of course permit the agents to act in their usual way,
+and so reform the earth.&#8221;]&mdash;<i>Treatise on the Deluge</i>, p. 43, (London,
+1761.)</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>We can hardly believe at the present day, that a logical and scientific
+mind, like that of Catcott, could satisfy itself, by such a dreamy
+exegesis, that the Scriptures teach the earth&#8217;s dissolution at the deluge;
+especially when they so distinctly describe the waters of the deluge, as
+first rising over the land, and then sinking back to their original
+position. Still more strange is it how Burnet could have thought it
+consistent with Scripture to suppose the earth, before the flood, &#8220;to have
+been covered with an orbicular crust, smooth, regular, and uniform,
+without mountains and without a sea,&#8221; when the Bible so distinctly states,
+as the work of the third day, that <i>the waters under the heavens were
+gathered together unto one place, and the dry land appeared</i>; and that
+<i>God called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters
+he called seas</i>; and further, that, by the deluge, <i>all the high hills
+were covered</i>. Yet these men doubtless supposed that, by the views which
+they advocated, they were defending the Holy Scriptures. Nay, their views
+were long regarded as exclusively the orthodox views, and opposition to
+them was considered, for one or two centuries, as virtual opposition to
+the Bible. Truly, this, in biblical interpretation, was straining at a
+gnat and swallowing a camel.</p>
+
+<p>It is quite convenient to explain such anomalies in human belief, by
+referring them to the spirit of the age, or to the want of the light of
+modern science. But in the present case, we cannot thus easily dispose of
+the difficulty. For in our own day, we have seen these same absurdities of
+opinion maintained by a really scientific man, selected to write one of
+the Bridgewater Treatises, as one of the most learned men in Great
+Britain. I refer to Rev. William Kirby, evidently a thorough entomologist
+and a sincere Christian. But he adopts the opinion, not only that there
+exists a subterranean abyss of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> waters, but a subterranean metropolis of
+animals, where the huge leviathians, the gigantic saurians, dug out of the
+rocks by the geologist, still survive; and this he endeavors to prove from
+the Bible. For this purpose he quotes the passage in Psalms, <i>though thou
+hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the
+shadow of death</i>. His exposition of this text is much in the style of that
+already given from Catcott. Following that writer and Hutchinson, he
+endeavors to show, by a still more fanciful interpretation, that the
+phrase &#8220;windows of heaven,&#8221; in Genesis, means cracks and volcanic rents in
+the earth, through which air and water rushed inwardly and outwardly with
+such violence as to tear the crust to pieces. This was the effect of the
+increasing waters of the deluge; the bringing together of these comminuted
+particles, so as to form the present strata, was the work of the subsiding
+waters.</p>
+
+<p>These views will seem very strange to those not familiar with the history
+of geology. But we shall find their origin, if a few facts be stated
+respecting what has been called the physico-theological school of writers,
+that originated with one Hutchinson, in the beginning of the eighteenth
+century. He was a disciple of the distinguished cosmogonist Woodward. But
+he attacked the views of his master, as well as those of Sir Isaac Newton
+on gravitation, in a work which he published in twelve octavo volumes,
+entitled &#8220;<i>Moses&#8217;s Principia</i>.&#8221; He there maintains that the Scriptures,
+when rightly understood, contain a complete system of natural philosophy.</p>
+
+<p>This dogma, advocated by Hutchinson with the most intolerant spirit,
+constitutes the leading peculiarity of the physico-theological school, and
+has been very widely adopted, and has exerted a most pernicious influence
+both upon religion and upon science. It is painful, therefore, to find so
+learned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> and excellent a man as Mr. Kirby so deeply imbued with it, so
+long after its absurdity has been shown again and again. It is devoutly to
+be wished that the cabalistic dreams of Hutchinsonianism are not to be
+extensively revived in our day. And, indeed, such is the advanced state of
+hermeneutical knowledge, that we have little reason to fear it.
+Nevertheless, its leaven is yet by no means thoroughly purged out from the
+literary community.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of the settled principles of the physico-theological school,
+that, since the creation, the earth has undergone no important change
+beneath the surface, except at the deluge, because it was supposed that
+the Bible mentions no other event that could produce any important change.
+Hence all marks of changes in the rocks since their original creation must
+be referred to the deluge. And especially when it was found that most of
+the petrifactions in the rocks were of marine origin, not only were they
+supposed to be the result of the deluge, but a most conclusive proof of
+that event. And this opinion is even yet very widely received by the
+Christian world. The argument in its favor, when stated in a popular
+manner to those not familiar with geology, is indeed quite imposing. For
+if the land, almost every where, even to the tops of some of its highest
+mountains, abounds in sea shells, this is just what we should expect, if
+the sea flowed over those mountains at the deluge. But the moment we come
+to examine the details respecting marine petrifactions, we see that
+nothing can be more absurd than to suppose them the result of a transient
+deluge. Yet this view is maintained in nearly all the popular commentaries
+of the present day upon Genesis, and in many respectable periodicals. It
+is taught, therefore, in the Sabbath school and in the family; and the
+child, as he grows up, is shocked to find the geologist assailing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> it; and
+when he finds it false, he is in danger of becoming jealous of the other
+evidences of Christianity which he has been taught.</p>
+
+<p>Another branch of the modern physico-theological school, embracing men who
+have read too much on the subject of geology to be able to believe in the
+dissolution of the globe by the deluge, have adopted a more plausible
+hypothesis. They suppose that between the creation and the deluge, or in
+sixteen hundred and fifty-six years, according to the received chronology,
+all the present fossiliferous rocks of our continents, more than six miles
+in thickness, were deposited at the bottom of the ocean. By that event,
+they were raised from beneath the waters, and the continents previously
+existing sunk down and disappeared; so that the land now inhabited was
+formerly the ocean&#8217;s bed. To prove that such a change took place at the
+deluge, Granville Penn and Fairholme quote the declaration of God, in
+Genesis, respecting the flood&mdash;<i>I will destroy them</i>, (i. e., men,) <i>and
+the earth, or with the earth</i>; also the statement of Peter&mdash;<i>The world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished</i>. The terms <i>earth</i>
+and <i>world</i> may mean either the solid globe, or the animals and plants
+upon it. If in these passages they have the latter meaning, then they
+simply teach that the deluge destroyed the natural life of organic beings.
+If they have the former meaning, then the inquiry arises, What are we to
+understand by the destruction here described? It may mean annihilation, or
+it may imply ruin in some respects. That annihilation did not result from
+the deluge is evident from the case of men, who suffered only temporal
+death, and even this was not universal; and we know, also, that the matter
+of the earth did not perish. We must resort, therefore, to the sacred
+history to learn how far the destruction extended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> That history seems very
+plain. There was a rain of forty days, and the fountains of the great deep
+were broken up; that is, as Professor Stuart happily expresses it, &#8220;The
+ocean overflowed while the rain descended in vast quantities.&#8221; The waters
+gradually rose over the dry land, and after a hundred and fifty days,
+began to subside, and at the end of a year and a few days they were gone.
+Such an overflowing could not take place without producing the almost
+entire destruction of organic life, and making extensive havoc with the
+soil, especially as a wind assisted in driving these waters from the land.
+But there is nothing in the narrative that would lead us to suppose either
+a comminution or dissolution of the earth, or the elevation of the ocean&#8217;s
+bed. The same land which was overflowed is described as again emerging.
+Indeed, a part of the rivers proceeding out of the garden of Eden are the
+same as those now existing on the globe. We must then admit that our
+present continents&mdash;certainly the Asiatic,&mdash;are the same as the
+antediluvian, or deny that the account of Eden, in Genesis, is a part of
+the Bible. The latter alternative is preferred by Penn and Fairholme.
+Surely such men ought to be cautious how they censure geologists for
+modifying the meaning of some verses in Genesis, when they thus, without
+any evidence of its spuriousness, unceremoniously erase so important a
+passage.</p>
+
+<p>I might add to all this that the facts of geology forbid the idea that our
+present continents formed the bed of the ocean at so recent a date as that
+of Noah&#8217;s deluge, and that the supposition that all organic remains were
+deposited during the two thousand years between the six days&#8217; work and the
+deluge is totally irreconcilable with all correct philosophy. Why, during
+the time when the fossiliferous rocks were in a course of formation, four
+or five entirely distinct races of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> animals and plants successively
+occupied the land and the waters, and passed away in regular order; and
+these races were so unlike, that they could not have been contemporaneous.
+Who will maintain that all this took place in the short period of two
+thousand years? I am sure that no geologist will.</p>
+
+<p>But modern geologists have, until recently, supposed that the traces of
+Noah&#8217;s deluge might still be seen upon the earth&#8217;s surface. I say its
+surface; for none of them imagined those effects could have reached to a
+great depth. Over a large part of the northern hemisphere they found
+extensive accumulations of gravel and bowlders, which had been removed
+often a great distance from their parent rocks, while the ledges beneath
+were smoothed and striated, obviously by the grating over them of these
+piles of detritus. How very natural to refer these effects to the agency
+of currents of water; just such currents as might have resulted from a
+universal deluge. But the inference was a hasty one For when geologists
+came to study the phenomena of drift or diluvium, as these accumulations
+of travelled matter are called, they found that currents of water alone
+would not explain them all. Some other agency must have been concerned;
+and the general opinion now is, that drift has been the result of the
+joint action of water and ice; and nearly all geologists suppose that this
+action took place before man&#8217;s existence on the globe. Some suppose it to
+have been the result of oceanic currents, while yet our continents were
+beneath the waters; others think that the northern ocean may have been
+thrown southerly over the dry land by the elevation of its bed; and others
+maintain that vast masses of ice may formerly have encircled high
+latitudes, whose glaciers, melting away, may have driven towards the
+equator the great quantities of drift and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> bowlders which have been
+carried in that direction. In short, it is now found that this is one of
+the most difficult problems in geology; and while most geologists agree
+that both ice and water have been concerned in producing the phenomena,
+the time and manner of their action are not yet very satisfactorily
+determined. They may have acted at different periods and in divers
+manners; but all the phenomena could not have been the result of one
+transient deluge.</p>
+
+<p>From the facts that have now been detailed, it appears that on no subject
+of science connected with religion have men been more positive and
+dogmatical than in respect to Noah&#8217;s deluge, and that on no subject has
+there been greater change of opinion. From a belief in the complete
+destruction and dissolution of the globe by that event, those best
+qualified to judge now doubt whether it be possible to identify one mark
+of that event in nature.</p>
+
+<p>I shall now proceed to state, in a more definite form, the views of this
+subject entertained by the most enlightened judges of its merits at the
+present day.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, most of the cases of accumulations of drift, the
+dispersion of bowlders, and the polish and stri&aelig; upon rocks in place,
+occurred previous to man&#8217;s existence upon the globe, and cannot have been
+the result of Noah&#8217;s deluge.</i></p>
+
+<p>From the arguments for sustaining this position I shall select only a
+part.</p>
+
+<p>The first is, that the organic remains found in the alluvium considerably
+above the drift, which always lies below the alluvium, are many of them of
+extinct species. Whether the genuine drift&mdash;a heterogeneous mass of
+fragments, driven pellmell together&mdash;contains any organic relics, is to me
+very doubtful. But if the stratified deposits subsequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> to the drift
+present us with beings no longer alive on the globe, much more would the
+drift. Now, the presumption is, that extinct animals and plants belong to
+a creation anterior to man, especially if they exhibit a tropical
+character,&mdash;as those do which are usually assigned to the drift,&mdash;since we
+have no evidence of a tropical climate in northern latitudes till we get
+back to a period far anterior to man.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. No remains of man or his works have been found in drift, nor
+indeed till we rise almost to the top of the alluvial deposit. Even
+ancient Armenia has now been examined geologically, with sufficient care
+to make it almost certain that human remains do not exist there in drift,
+if drift is found there at all; of which there may be a question.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly. The agency producing drift must have operated during a vastly
+longer period than the three hundred and eighty days of Noah&#8217;s deluge. It
+would be easy to show to a geologist that the extensive erosions which are
+referrible to that agency, and the huge masses of detritus which have been
+the result, must have demanded centuries, and even decades of years. Nor
+will any supposed increase of power in the agency explain the results,
+without admitting a long period for their action.</p>
+
+<p>Fourthly. Water appears to have been the principal agent in the Noachian
+deluge; but in the production of drift, ice was at least equally
+concerned.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. The phenomena of deltas, terraces, and ancient sea-beaches, make
+the period of the drift immensely more remote than the deluge of Noah,
+since these phenomena are all posterior to the drift period. I need not go
+into the details of this argument here, since I have drawn them out in my
+second lecture. But of all the arguments ever adduced to prove the great
+length of time occupied in geological changes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> this&mdash;which, so far as the
+terraces are concerned, has never before, I believe, been adduced&mdash;seems
+to me the most convincing to those who carefully examine the subject.</p>
+
+<p>We may be sure, then, that the commencement of the drift period, and the
+deluge of Noah, cannot have been synchronous. But the drift agency,
+connected, as nearly all geologists seem now to be ready to admit, with
+the vertical movements of continents, may have operated, and undoubtedly
+has, at various periods, and very possibly, in some parts of the world,
+long posterior to the period usually called the drift period. I agree,
+therefore, in opinion with one of the most eminent and judicious of the
+European geologists, Professor Sedgwick of Cambridge, when he says, &#8220;If we
+have the clearest proofs of great oscillations of sea level, and have a
+right to make use of them, while we seek to explain some of the latest
+phenomena of geology, may we not reasonably suppose, that, within the
+period of human history, similar oscillations have taken place in those
+parts of Asia which were the cradle of our race, and may have produced
+that destruction among the early families of men, which is described in
+our sacred books, and of which so many traditions have been brought down
+to us through all the streams of authentic history?&#8221;&mdash;<i>Geology of the Lake
+District</i>, p. 14.</p>
+
+<p><i>Secondly. Admitting the deluge to have been universal over the globe, it
+could not have deposited the fossil remains in the rocks.</i></p>
+
+<p>This position is too plain to the practical geologist to need a formal
+argument to sustain it. But there are many intelligent men, who do not see
+clearly why the remains of marine animals and plants may not be referred
+to the deluge. And if they could be, then all the demands of the geologist
+for long periods anterior to man are without foundation. But they cannot
+be, for the following reasons:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>First. On this supposition the organic remains ought to be confusedly
+mingled together, since they must have been brought over the land
+promiscuously by the waters of the deluge; but they are in fact arranged
+in as much order as the specimens of a well-regulated cabinet. The
+different rocks that lie above one another do, indeed, contain some
+species that are common; but the most are peculiar. It is impossible to
+explain such a fact if they were deposited by the deluge.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. On this theory, at least, a part of the organic remains ought to
+correspond with living animals and plants, since the deluge took place so
+long after the six days of creation. But with the exception of a few
+species near the top of the series, the fossil species are wholly unlike
+those now alive.</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly. How, by this theory, can we explain the fact, that there are
+found in the rocks at least five distinct races of animals and plants, so
+unlike that they could not have been contemporaries? or for the fact, that
+most of them are of a highly tropical character? or for the fact, that as
+we rise higher in the rocks, there is a nearer and nearer approach to
+existing species?</p>
+
+<p>Fourthly. This theory requires us to admit, that in three hundred and
+eighty days the waters of the deluge deposited rocks at least six miles in
+thickness, over half or two thirds of our existing continents; and these
+rocks made up of hundreds of thick beds, exceedingly unlike one another in
+composition and organic contents. Will any reasonable man believe this
+possible without a miracle?</p>
+
+<p>But I need not multiply arguments on this point. It is a theory which no
+reasonable man can long maintain after studying the subject. And if it be
+indeed true, that neither in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> drift, nor in the fossiliferous rocks,
+can we discover any traces of the deluge, then we shall find them nowhere
+on the globe. But</p>
+
+<p><i>Thirdly. There are no facts in geology that afford any presumption
+against the occurrence of the Noachian deluge, but rather the contrary.</i></p>
+
+<p>The geologist says only, that if any traces of it exist, he cannot
+distinguish them from the effects of other analogous agencies that have
+operated on the globe at various periods. Some parts of the globe do not
+exhibit marks of any powerful aqueous action, such as high northern and
+southern latitudes do exhibit. But the sacred record, in its account of
+the access and subsidence of diluvial waters, does not require us to
+suppose any great degree of violence in their action on the surface; and
+although currents somewhat powerful must have been the result, yet they
+may not have existed every where, nor have always left traces of their
+passage where they did exist. On the other hand, the geologist will admit,
+as we have already seen, that in the elevation and subsidence of mountains
+and continents, and in volcanic agency generally, of which geology
+contains so many examples, we have an adequate cause for extensive, if not
+universal, deluges; nor can he say how recently this cause may have
+operated beneath certain oceans, sufficiently to produce the deluge of the
+Scriptures. So that, in fact, we have in geology a presumption in favor
+of, rather than against, such a deluge. Nay, some, who have examined
+Armenia, have thought they found there a deposit which could be referred
+to the deluge of Noah; but I have no access to any facts on this point.</p>
+
+<p><i>Fourthly. There are reasons, both in natural history and in the
+Scriptures, for supposing that the deluge may not have been universal over
+the globe, but only over the region inhabited by man.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>This is a position of no small importance, and will, therefore, require
+our careful examination. And in the beginning, I wish to premise, that I
+assume the deluge to have been brought about by natural operations, or in
+conformity with the laws of nature. I feel no reluctance in admitting it
+to have been strictly miraculous, provided the narrative will allow of
+such a conclusion. But if it was miraculous, then we must give up the idea
+of philosophizing about it, and believe the facts simply on the divine
+testimony. For how can we philosophize upon an event that is brought about
+by the direct efficiency of God, and without reference to existing natural
+laws, and, it may be, in contravention of them, unless, indeed, the
+history contains such contradictions as even infinite power and wisdom
+could not make harmonious? Some writers endeavor to show the conformity of
+the sacred history of the deluge to established natural laws, until they
+meet with some objection too strong to be answered, when they turn round
+and declare the whole occurrence to have been miraculous. This I conceive
+to be absurd, and I shall accordingly proceed on the supposition that the
+whole event was a penal infliction, brought about by natural laws; or, at
+least, if there was any thing miraculous, it consisted in giving greater
+power to natural operations, without interfering with the regular sequence
+of cause and effect. And does not the narrative leave the impression on
+the mind of the reader, that it was brought about by natural means? The
+sacred writer distinctly assigns two natural causes of the increase of the
+waters, viz., a rain of forty days and the breaking up of the fountains of
+the great deep, which doubtless means an overflow of the ocean; and, to
+hasten the subsidence of the waters, it is said that God made a wind to
+blow over the surface. It is no proof of miraculous agency, that the whole
+work is referred to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>immediate power of God, for it is well known that
+this is the usual mode in which the sacred writers speak of natural
+events.</p>
+
+<p>The first difficulty in the way of supposing the flood to have been
+literally universal, is the great quantity of water that would have been
+requisite.</p>
+
+<p>The amount necessary to cover the earth to the tops of the highest
+mountains, or about five miles above the present oceans, would be eight
+times greater than that existing on the globe at this time. From whence
+could this immense volume of water have been derived? A great deal of
+ingenuity has been devoted to give an answer to this inquiry. By some it
+has been supposed, that most of the earth&#8217;s interior is occupied by water,
+and the theorist had only to devise means for forcing it to the surface.
+One does this by the forcible compression of the crust; another, by the
+expansive power of internal heat; another, by the generation of various
+gases through galvanic action. Others have maintained that the
+antediluvian continents were sunk beneath the ocean at that time, though
+such find it hard to tell us why there was a rain of forty days upon land
+that was ready to subside beneath the ocean. Others have resort to a
+comet&#8217;s impinging against the earth, and throwing the waters of the ocean
+over the land. But they were not aware that comets are mere vapor. Others
+suppose (and surely theirs is the most plausible theory) that the
+elevation of the bed of some ocean, by volcanic agency, threw its waters
+over the adjoining continents, and the mighty wave thus produced would not
+stop till it had swept over all other continents and islands. But in this
+case, it is evident that the continent first overflowed must have been
+left dry before the wave had reached other continents, so that, in fact,
+all parts of the earth would not have been enveloped simultaneously; and
+besides, how unlike such a violent rushing of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> the waters over the land is
+the scriptural account! In short, so unsatisfactory have been most of the
+theories to account for the water requisite to produce a universal deluge,
+that most writers have resorted, in the end, to miraculous agency to
+obtain it. And that, in fact, is the most satisfactory mode of getting
+over this difficulty, if the Scriptures unequivocally teach the
+universality of the deluge.</p>
+
+<p>A second objection to such a universality is, the difficulty of providing
+for the animals in the ark.</p>
+
+<p>Calculations have indeed been made, which seemed to show that the ark was
+capacious enough to hold the pairs and septuples of all the species. But,
+unfortunately, the number of species assumed to exist by the calculators
+was vastly below the truth. It amounted only to three or four hundred;
+whereas the actual number already described by zo&ouml;logists is not less than
+one hundred and fifty thousand; and the probable number existing on the
+globe is not less than half a million. And for the greater part of these
+must provision have been made, since most of them inhabit either the air
+or the dry land. A thousand species of mammalia, six thousand species of
+birds, two thousand species of reptiles, and one hundred and twenty
+thousand species of insects are already described, and must have been
+provided with space and food. Will any one believe this possible, in a
+vessel not more than four hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet
+broad, and forty-five feet high?</p>
+
+<p>The third and most important objection to this universality of the deluge
+is derived from the facts brought to light by modern science, respecting
+the distribution of animals and plants on the globe.</p>
+
+<p>It was the opinion of Linn&aelig;us that all animals and plants had their
+commencement in a particular region of the earth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> from whence they
+migrated into all other parts of its surface. And had no new facts come to
+light since his day, to change the aspect of the subject, one would
+hesitate long before adopting views opposed to so distinguished a
+naturalist. But new facts, in vast numbers, have been multiplying ever
+since his day, and zo&ouml;logists and botanists now almost universally adopt
+the opinion, early promulgated by Dr. Prichard, in his admirable work on
+the Physical History of Man, that there must have been several centres of
+creation, from which the animals and plants radiated only so far as the
+climate and food were adapted to their natures, except a few species
+endowed with the power of accommodating themselves to all climates.
+Certain it is that they are now thus distributed; and it is inevitable
+death for most species to venture beyond certain limits. If tropical
+animals and plants, for instance, were to migrate to the temperate zones,
+and especially to the frigid regions, they could not long survive; and
+almost equally fatal would it be for the animals and plants of high
+latitudes to take up their abode near the equator. But even within the
+tropics we find distinct species of animals and plants on opposite
+continents. Indeed, naturalists reckon a large number of botanical and
+zo&ouml;logical districts, or provinces, as they are called, within which they
+find certain peculiar groups of animals and plants, with natures exactly
+adapted to that particular district, but incapable of enduring the
+different climate of adjoining districts. They differ considerably as to
+the number of these districts, because the plants and animals of our globe
+are by no means yet fully described, and because the districts assigned to
+the different classes do not fully coincide; but as to the existence of
+such a distribution, they are of one opinion. The most reliable divisions
+of this kind make twenty-five botanical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> provinces, and five kingdoms and
+fourteen provinces among animals.<small><a name="f10.1" id="f10.1" href="#f10">[10]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>The fact that man, and some of the domesticated animals, and a few plants,
+are found in almost every climate, has, until recently, blinded the eyes
+of naturalists to the manner in which the great mass of animals and plants
+are confined within certain prescribed limits. But so soon as the general
+fact is stated, we immediately recur to abundant proof of its truth. We
+should be disposed to question the veracity of that traveller who should
+visit a new and remote country, and describe its vegetable and animal
+productions as essentially the same as in our own; and all because the
+analogy of other portions of the globe leads us to expect that a new
+geographical province shall present us with a peculiar <i>fauna</i> and
+<i>flora</i>; that is, with peculiar groups of animals and plants.</p>
+
+<p>It is obvious that the facts which have been stated have an important
+bearing upon the mode in which the animals were brought together to enter
+the ark, and were afterwards distributed through the earth, if the deluge
+were universal. Certain it is that, without miraculous preservation, they
+could never have been brought together, nor again dispersed. We have
+reason to suppose that the ark was constructed in some part of the
+temperate zone. Now, suppose the animals of the torrid zone at the present
+day to attempt, by natural means, to reach the temperate zone; who does
+not know that nearly all of them must perish? Nor is it any easier to
+conceive how, after the flood, they could have migrated into all
+continents, and islands, and climates, and how each species should have
+found the place exactly fitted to its constitution, as we now find them.
+Indeed, the idea of their collection and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> dispersion in a natural way is
+altogether too absurd to be believed. And we must, therefore, resort to a
+miracle, or suppose a new creation to have taken place after the deluge,
+or admit the flood to have been limited. If the latter supposition be not
+inconsistent with the Bible, it completely relieves the difficulty. If we
+suppose the limited region of Central Asia, where man existed, to have
+been deluged, and pairs and septuples of the most common animals in that
+region only to have been kept alive in the ark, the entire account will
+harmonize with natural history. The question, then, whether such a view is
+consistent with the Bible, becomes of great interest; and to this point I
+beg leave next to direct your attention.</p>
+
+<p>If we understand the scriptural account to denote a literal universality,
+it is certainly very natural to inquire why such universality was
+necessary, since the deluge is represented as a penal infliction upon man.
+For it seems difficult to believe as some writers have attempted to prove,
+that the human family had become very numerous, or had extended far beyond
+the spot where they were first planted, in less than two thousand years;
+especially when we recollect how few were the children of patriarchs whose
+age amounted to many centuries, and how very probable it is that the
+extreme wickedness of most of the antediluvians tended to their extinction
+rather than their multiplication. Why, then, for the sake of destroying
+man, occupying probably only a limited portion of one continent, was it
+necessary to depopulate all other continents and islands, inhabited only
+by irresponsible animals, who had no connection with man? If the
+Scriptures unequivocally declare that such was the fact, we are bound to
+believe it on divine testimony. But if their language admits of a
+different interpretation, it seems reasonable to adopt it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>And here I am willing to acknowledge that the language of the Bible on
+this subject seems, at first view, to teach the universality of the flood,
+unequivocally. <i>The waters</i>, say they, <i>prevailed exceedingly upon the
+earth, and all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were
+covered.</i> Again: <i>Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the
+earth to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under
+heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.</i> If such language
+be interpreted by the same rules which we should apply to a modern
+composition, it could in no way be understood to teach a limited deluge or
+a partial destruction. But in respect to this ancient record, two
+considerations are to be carefully weighed.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, the terms employed are not to be judged of by the
+state of knowledge in the nineteenth century, but by its state among the
+people to whom this revelation was first addressed. When the earth was
+spoken of to that people, (the ancient Jews,) they could not have
+understood it to embrace a much wider region than that inhabited by man,
+because they could not have had any idea of what lay beyond those limits.
+And so of the phrase <i>heaven</i>; it must have been co&euml;xtensive with the
+inhabited earth only. And when it was said that all animals would die by
+the deluge, they could not have supposed the declaration to embrace
+creatures far beyond the dwellings of men, because they knew nothing of
+such regions. Why, then, may we not attach the same limited meaning to
+these declarations? Why should we suppose that the Holy Spirit used terms,
+adapted, indeed, to the astronomy and geography of the nineteenth century,
+but conveying only a false idea to those to whom they were addressed?</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, in all ages and nations, and especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> among
+ancient ones, &#8220;universal terms are often used to signify only a very large
+amount in number or quantity.&#8221;&mdash;Dr. Smith, <i>Scrip. and Geol.</i> p. 212, 4th
+ed.&mdash;The Hebrew &#1499;&#1500;, (<i>kol</i>,) the <ins class="correction" title="pas">&#960;&#945;&#962;</ins>, and the English
+<i>all</i>, are alike employed in this manner, to signify <i>many</i>. There are
+some very striking cases of this sort in the Bible. Thus in Genesis it is
+said that <i>all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn, because
+the famine was sore in all lands</i>. This certainly could apply only to the
+well-known countries around Egypt; for transportation would have been
+impossible to the remotest parts of the habitable globe. In the account of
+the plagues that came upon Egypt, it is said that <i>the hail smote every
+herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field</i>; but, in a few days
+afterwards, it is said of the locusts that <i>they did eat every herb of the
+land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left</i>. <i>This day</i>,
+said God to the Israelites, while yet in their journeyings, <i>will I begin
+to put the fear of thee and the dread of thee upon the face of the nations
+under all the heavens</i>. But it is obvious that only the nations contiguous
+to the Israelites, chiefly the Canaanites, are here meant. In the New
+Testament, it is said that, at the time of the pentecost, there were
+dwelling at Jerusalem <i>Jews, devout men, out of every nation under
+heaven</i>. Yet, in the enumeration, which follows this passage, of the
+different places from which those Jews had come, we find only a region
+extending from Italy to Persia, and from Egypt to the Black Sea. It could
+have been a district of only about that size which Paul meant, when he
+said to the Colossians that the <i>gospel was preached to every creature
+which is under heaven</i>. In the First Book of Kings, it is said that <i>all
+the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom</i>;&mdash;a passage
+which requires as much limitation as the others above quoted. A similar
+mode of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> expression is employed by Christ, when he says of the queen of
+Sheba that she came from <i>the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the
+wisdom of Solomon</i>; for her residence, being probably on the Arabian Gulf,
+could not have been more than twelve or fourteen hundred miles from
+Jerusalem. A like figurative mode of speech is employed in the description
+of Peter&#8217;s vision, in which he saw a great sheet let down to the earth,
+<i>wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild
+beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air</i>. Who will suppose,
+since it is wholly unnecessary for the object, which was to convince Peter
+that the Mosaic distinction into clean and unclean beasts was abolished,
+that he here had a vision of all the species of terrestrial vertebral
+animals on the globe?</p>
+
+<p>It would be easy to multiply similar passages. In many of them we should
+find that the phrase <i>all the earth</i> signifies the land of Palestine; in a
+few, the Chaldean empire; and in one, that of Alexander of Macedon.</p>
+
+<p>Now, so similar is the phraseology of the passages just quoted to that
+descriptive of the deluge, so universal are the terms, while we are sure
+that their meaning must be limited, that we are abundantly justified in
+considering the deluge as limited, if other parts of the Bible, or the
+facts of natural history, require such a limitation. Indeed, so obviously
+analogous are the passages quoted to the Mosaic account of the deluge,
+that distinguished writers have regarded the deluge as limited, long
+before geology existed, or natural history had learned the manner in which
+organic life is distributed on the globe; nay, at a period when
+naturalists, with Linn&aelig;us at their head, supposed animals and plants to
+have proceeded from one centre:&mdash;an opinion that seemed to sustain the
+notion of the universality of the flood. The inference, then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> that it was
+limited, must have been made chiefly on exegetical grounds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I cannot see,&#8221; says Bishop Stillingfleet, more than a century ago, &#8220;any
+urgent necessity from the Scripture to assert that the flood did spread
+over all the surface of the earth. That all mankind, those in the ark
+excepted, were destroyed by it, is most certain, according to the
+Scriptures. The flood was universal as to mankind; but from thence follows
+no necessity at all of asserting the universality of it as to the globe of
+the earth, unless it be sufficiently proved that the whole earth was
+peopled before the flood, which I despair of ever seeing
+proved.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Origines Sacr&aelig;</i>, B. III. chap. 4, p. 337, ed. 1709.</p>
+
+<p>Matthew Poole, well known for his valuable and extensive commentaries on
+the Bible, thus expresses himself: &#8220;It is not to be supposed that the
+entire globe of the earth was covered with water. Where was the need of
+overwhelming those regions in which there were no human beings? It would
+be highly unreasonable to suppose that mankind had so increased before the
+deluge as to have penetrated to all the corners of the earth. It is,
+indeed, not probable that they had extended themselves beyond the limits
+of Syria and Mesopotamia. Absurd it would be to affirm that the effects of
+the punishment inflicted upon men alone applied to places in which there
+were no men. If, then, we should entertain the belief that not so much as
+the hundredth part of the globe was overspread with water, still the
+deluge would be universal, because the extirpation took effect upon all
+the part of the globe which was inhabited. If we take this ground, the
+difficulties which some have raised about the deluge fall away as
+inapplicable, and mere cavils; and irreligious persons have no reason left
+them for doubting the truth of the Holy Scriptures.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Synopsis on Gen.</i>
+vii. 19.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>Poole wrote nearly two centuries ago. In more recent times, we find
+authorities equally eminent for learning and candor adopting the same
+views. &#8220;Interpreters,&#8221; says Dathe, &#8220;do not agree whether the deluge
+inundated the whole earth, or only those regions then inhabited. I adopt
+the latter opinion. The phrase <i>all</i> does not prove the inundation to have
+been universal. It appears that in many places &#1499;&#1500; (<i>kol</i>) is to be
+understood as limited to the thing or place spoken of. Hence all the
+animals said to have been introduced into the ark were only those of the
+region inundated. So, also, only those mountains are to be understood,
+which were surmounted by the waters.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Pentateuchus a Dathio</i>, p. 63.</p>
+
+<p>But no modern writer has treated this subject with so much candor and
+ability&mdash;and the same may be said of his whole work on the &#8220;Relation of
+the Holy Scriptures to some Parts of Geological Science&#8221;&mdash;as Dr. John Pye
+Smith. We can say of him, what we can say of very few men, that he is
+accurately acquainted with all the branches of the subject. Eminent as a
+theologian and a philologist, and fully possessed of all the facts in
+geology and natural history, he gives us his opinion, not as a young man,
+fond of novelties, but in the full maturity of judgment and of years.
+&#8220;From these instances,&#8221; says he, &#8220;of the scriptural idiom in the
+application of phraseology similar to that in the narrative concerning the
+flood, I humbly think that those terms do not oblige us to understand a
+literal universality; so that we are exonerated from some otherwise
+insuperable difficulties in natural history and geology. If so much of the
+earth was overflowed as was occupied by the human race, both the physical
+and the moral ends of that awful visitation were answered.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Scrip. and
+Geol.</i> p. 214, 4th ed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let us now take the seat of the antediluvian population,&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> continues Dr.
+Smith, &#8220;to have been in Western Asia, in which a large district, even at
+the present day, lies considerably below the level of the sea. It must not
+be forgotten that six weeks of continued rain would not give an amount of
+water forty times that which fell on the first, or a subsequent day, for
+evaporation would be continually carrying up the water to be condensed,
+and to fall again; so that the same mass of water would return many times.
+If, then, in addition to the tremendous rain, we suppose an elevation of
+the bed of the Persian and Indian Seas, or a subsidence of the inhabited
+land towards the south, we shall have sufficient cause in the hands of
+almighty justice for submerging the district, covering its hills, and
+destroying all living beings within its limits, except those whom divine
+mercy preserved in the ark. The drawing off of the waters would be
+effected by a return of the bed of the sea to a lower level, or by the
+elevation of some tracts of land, which would leave channels and slopes
+for the larger part of the water to flow back into the Indian Ocean, while
+the lower part remained a great lake, or an inland sea, the Caspian.&#8221;&mdash;p.
+217.</p>
+
+<p>It is a circumstance favoring the above suggestions of Dr. Smith, that
+there is a tract of country ten degrees of latitude in breadth, embracing
+most of Asia Minor, ancient Armenia and Georgia, and part of Persia,
+extending at least as far east as the Caspian Sea, and probably much
+farther, in which volcanic agency has been in operation at a comparatively
+recent period. I am not aware that we have evidence of any eruption of
+lava in those regions, within historic times, except, perhaps, some mud
+volcanoes in the Caucasian range. The Katekekaumene, or Burnt District, of
+Asia Minor, and Mount Ararat, probably experienced eruptions at a date
+somewhat earlier, though at a comparatively recent date. Yet important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>
+changes of level may have been the result of volcanic agency in Central
+Asia, as recently as the Noachian deluge, without leaving any traces which
+would be obvious, without more careful observation than has yet been made
+in those regions. Especially might a subsidence of the surface have taken
+place, and not have left any striking evidence of its occurrence. Still
+more difficult would it now be to discover the marks of vertical movements
+in the bed of the Indian Ocean at the time of the deluge.</p>
+
+<p>I will venture to add another suggestion. If the bed of the Indian Ocean
+was uplifted by volcanic matter, struggling to get vent, vapor enough
+might have been liberated to account, on natural principles, for the forty
+days&#8217; rain of the deluge. For it is well known that in volcanic eruptions
+drenching rains are often the result of the sudden condensation of the
+aqueous vapor.</p>
+
+<p>We are here met, however, by a serious objection to the hypothesis, which
+gives only a limited extent to the deluge. If the present Mount Ararat, in
+Armenia, is the mountain on which the ark first rested, a deluge which
+covered its top must, by its flux and reflux, have overspread nearly all
+other portions of the globe, for that mountain rises seventeen thousand
+seven hundred feet above the ocean. But we are informed by Jerome, that
+the name Ararat was given generally to the mountains of Armenia; (indeed,
+that is the meaning of the name;) and long before geology existed,
+Shuckford suggested that some spot farther east corresponds better with
+the scriptural account of the place where the ark rested. For it is said
+of the families of the sons of Noah, that, as they journeyed from the
+east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. Now, Shinar, or Babylonia,
+lies nearly south of the Armenian Ararat, and the probability, therefore,
+is, that the true Ararat, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> whose vicinity the descendants of Noah
+probably emigrated, lay much farther to the south. Again, if the ark
+rested upon the present Ararat, it is impossible, except by a miracle,
+that those who came out of it could have reached the plain below; for so
+exceedingly difficult of access is it, that it is doubtful whether, since
+the deluge, any one ever succeeded in reaching its summit, till the year
+1829. Indeed, it is an article in the creed of the Armenian church that
+its ascent is impossible. That the almost universal tradition of Eastern
+nations should have fixed upon that mountain as the resting-place of the
+ark is not strange, considering that there is no mountain in all Asia so
+striking to behold.</p>
+
+<p>But upon the whole, the probability is strong that some other elevation,
+less lofty and steep, was the radiating point of the postdiluvian races of
+man and other animals. The fact of Noah&#8217;s sending forth a dove from the
+ark, which came back in the evening with an olive leaf in her mouth,
+strengthens the preceding view. For neither upon the present Ararat, nor
+around it, does the olive grow, because it is too cold. Indeed, all its
+upper part is covered with perpetual ice. But if the Ararat of Scripture
+lay nearer the tropics, the olive might find upon it a congenial spot. A
+distinguished botanist adduced the fact about the olive as evidence
+against the Bible. But how easily refuted, if the theory now under
+examination be true!</p>
+
+<p>In favor of this supposition, I might have urged another consideration,
+which, in my mind, has no little weight. It is impossible that the waters
+of the deluge should have covered the earth for a year, without destroying
+nearly all the existing vegetation. Yet nothing is said of the
+preservation of seeds in the ark; and if they had been preserved,
+certainly nothing but miraculous power, and that of the most remarkable
+kind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> could have scattered them through the remotest continents and
+islands, so as to form distinct botanical districts, such as have been
+described. The olive, from which a leaf was plucked by the dove sent out
+of the ark, was probably situated upon elevated ground, and where it
+remained but a short time beneath the waters, and therefore did not lose
+its vitality.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable that the theory which makes the deluge limited in extent
+will meet with more favor than any other, with candid and intelligent men,
+to meet the suggested difficulties of the case. But some, who are
+unwilling to abandon the idea of the universality of the deluge, avoid
+these difficulties by supposing a new creation to have taken place at that
+epoch. That such a new creation occurred at the commencement of several
+geological periods can hardly admit a doubt. And a presumption is hence
+derived in favor of a similar act at the beginning of the postdiluvian
+period, preceded as it was, like the other geological periods, by an
+almost entire destruction of organic life.</p>
+
+<p>The principal objection to this view is, that no notice is taken of such a
+new creation in the Bible. And it would seem that an event of so much
+importance would hardly be passed in silence; and yet the bringing into
+existence new races of the inferior animals and plants could have but
+little bearing upon the object of revelation, which respects almost
+exclusively the spiritual condition of man. One, however, can hardly see
+why pairs and septuples of the animals, even in a limited district, need
+to have been preserved in the ark, if a new creation were to follow the
+coming catastrophe; nor why the creation of the antediluvian animals, so
+soon to perish, should have been so particularly described, while no
+notice was taken of the postdiluvian races, which were to occupy the earth
+so much longer time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>A third theory has been suggested by some, embracing both those which have
+been described. They admit the deluge to have been of limited extent, but
+suppose this limitation not to be sufficient to explain all the facts of
+revelation and of science, without a new creation also, at the
+commencement of the postdiluvian period. They suppose, indeed, that
+geology and natural history teach the occasional extinction of species,
+and the creation of others, even in our own times. And in regard to this
+latter view, it may at least be said that it is not contradicted by the
+Bible. Nay, one would almost suppose that the Psalmist were describing
+such a state of things when he says, <i>Thou hidest thy face; they</i>
+[animals] <i>are troubled. Thou takest away their breath; they die and
+return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit; they are created; and
+thou renewest the face of the earth.</i> The resemblance between this
+language and that employed to describe the original creation is striking.
+Indeed, the same word (<i>bawraw</i>) is used.</p>
+
+<p>Without attempting to decide which of these theories has the highest claim
+upon our belief, it is sufficient to remark, that either of them
+reconciles the facts of geology and natural history with the inspired
+record; nor does the adoption of either of them require us to put a forced
+and unnatural construction upon the language of the Bible. Even then, if
+we should admit that a construction agreeing with these theories is not
+the most natural meaning, yet if the facts of natural history
+unequivocally require such an interpretation to harmonize the Bible with
+nature, it is assuredly one of those cases where science must be allowed
+to modify our exegesis of Scripture. In the view of sound philosophy, such
+modification at once disarms scepticism of its cavils.</p>
+
+<p>With two remarks of a practical character, I close the discussion of this
+subject.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>First. The history of opinions respecting the Noachian deluge furnishes a
+salutary lesson to those employed in the examination of analogous
+subjects. We have seen these opinions assume almost every possible shape;
+yet, until recently they have all been maintained with the most positive
+and dogmatic assurance; and each particular theory has been regarded as
+involving the essence of the Bible, as being the <i>articulus stantis vel
+cadentis ecclesi&aelig;</i>, and whoever denied it virtually denied the Bible. But
+all reasonable and truly scientific men are fast coming to the conclusion,
+that the deluge has had very little to do with the present configuration
+of the globe, and that it is doubtful whether any trace of its occurrence
+will ever be found in nature; so that, on the one hand, all the alarms and
+denunciations of misguided Christians on this subject might have been
+spared; and, on the other hand, if the hasty exultation of the infidel, in
+his supposed discovery of discrepancy between nature and Moses, had been
+suppressed until the subject was understood, he would not have experienced
+the mortification of entire defeat.</p>
+
+<p>It is, indeed, very humiliating to human nature to find so many of the
+wise, the talented, and the religious so confident and zealous, yet so
+erroneous. But it is a salutary lesson. It shows us the vast importance of
+being thoroughly acquainted with a subject before we dogmatize upon it. It
+should not, indeed, discourage us, and produce a universal scepticism on
+all subjects not admitting a mathematical demonstration; but it should
+make us cautious in examining the grounds of our conclusions, and modest
+in maintaining them.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. It is interesting to observe how, amid all the diversities and
+fluctuations of opinion on this subject, the Bible has remained
+unaffected.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>The infidel felt confident that the arrows which he drew from this quiver
+would certainly pierce Christianity to the heart. But they rebounded from
+her adamantine breastplate, blunted and broken; and no one will have the
+courage to pick them up and hurl them again. The physico-theological
+school at one time felt certain, that no other theory but an entire
+dissolution of the crust of the globe at the deluge, could possibly be
+made consistent with the Bible. More recently, it has been supposed
+equally necessary, to reconcile geology and revelation, that we should
+admit the antediluvian continents to have sunk beneath the ocean at that
+time. Still later, it has been thought quite certain that the surface of
+the earth bore the most striking marks of a universal deluge, probably
+identical with that of Scripture. At length, the extreme opinion is now
+generally reached, that no trace of the deluge of Noah remains. And
+equally wide and well established is the belief that, amid all these
+fluctuations of theory, the Bible has stood as an immovable rock amid the
+conflicting waves. The final result is, that we have only slightly to
+modify the interpretation of the Mosaic account, in conformity with the
+laws of language, to make it entirely consistent with the notion that all
+traces of the deluge have disappeared. Thus, in the midst of human
+opinions, veering to every point of the compass, the Bible has ever
+remained fixed to one point. Not so with false systems of religion. The
+Hindoo religion contains a false astronomy, as well as anatomy and
+physiology; and the Mohammedan Koran distinctly advances the Ptolemaic
+hypothesis of the universe; so that you have only to prove these religions
+false in science in order to destroy their claim to infallibility. But the
+Bible, stating only facts, does not interfere with, neither is affected
+by, the hypotheses of philosophy. Often, indeed, in past<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> ages, have men
+set up their hypotheses as oracles in the temple of nature, to be
+consulted rather than the Bible. But, like Dagon before the ark, they have
+fallen to the earth, and been broken in pieces before the Word of God;
+while this has ever stood and ever shall stand, in sublime simplicity and
+undecaying strength, amid the wrecks of every false system of philosophy
+and religion.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_V" id="LECTURE_V"></a>LECTURE V.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE WORLD&#8217;S SUPPOSED ETERNITY.</span></p>
+
+<p>In our attempts thus far to elucidate the religion of geology, our
+attention has been directed to those points where this science has been
+supposed to conflict with revelation; and I trust it has been made
+manifest that the collision was rather with the interpretation than with
+the meaning of Scripture; and that, in fact, geology, instead of coming
+into collision with the Bible, affords us important aid in understanding
+it aright. We now advance to a part of the subject which has a more direct
+bearing upon natural religion. And here, if I mistake not, we shall find
+the illustration of religious truth from this science, as we might expect,
+more direct and palpable.</p>
+
+<p>The subject to which I wish first to call your attention is the world&#8217;s
+eternity, or the eternal existence of matter. This was the universal
+belief of the philosophers of antiquity, and, indeed, of most reasoning
+minds where the Bible has not been known. The grand argument by which this
+opinion was sustained is the well-known <i>ex nihilo nihil fit</i>, (nothing
+produces nothing.) Hence men inferred that not even the Deity could create
+matter out of nothing; and, therefore, it must be eternal. Most of the
+ancient philosophers, however, did not hence infer the non-existence of
+the Deity. But they endeavored to reconcile the existence of eternal
+matter with an eternal Spirit. They supposed both to be self-existent and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>
+co&euml;xistent. From this rational thinking principle they supposed all good
+to be derived; while from the material irrational principle all evil
+sprung. Plato taught that God, of his own will, united himself with
+matter, although he did not create it, and out of it produced the present
+world; so that it was proper to speak of the world as created, although
+the matter was from eternity. Aristotle and Zeno taught that God&#8217;s union
+with matter was necessary; and hence they considered the world eternal. In
+the opinion of Epicurus, God was entirely separated from matter, which
+consisted of innumerable atoms, floating about from eternity, like dust in
+the air, until at last they assumed the present form of the world.</p>
+
+<p>In modern times, the belief in the eternity of matter has usually been
+connected with, or made the basis of, a refined and popular system of
+atheism. I refer to the pantheism of Spinoza. He maintains that there
+exists in the universe but one substance, variously modified, whose two
+principal attributes are infinite extension and infinite intelligence.
+This substance, the <ins class="correction" title="to pan">&#964;&#8056; &#960;&#8118;&#957;</ins> of Spinoza, he regarded as God; and
+hence his system is called <i>Pantheism</i>. Under various modifications, it
+has been adopted by many sceptical minds, and is, undoubtedly, the most
+common and plausible system of atheism extant. Other modern writers, among
+whom may be mentioned that anomalous philosopher Bayle, have advocated the
+views of the ancients respecting the eternity of matter.</p>
+
+<p>It may seem strange, but it is true, that some Christian philosophers and
+divines have been, in ancient and modern times, the advocates of the
+eternity of matter. The ancient Christians adopted it from Plato. Thus we
+find Justin Martyr maintaining that God formed the world from an eternal,
+unorganized material. And the schoolmen, who followed Aristotle, taught
+that &#8220;God had created the world from eternity.&#8221; On this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> ground, even some
+Protestant theologians have asserted that it was absurd to speak of an
+eternal God who is not an eternal Creator.</p>
+
+<p>A principle which has thus been adopted by so many acute minds
+unenlightened by revelation, and by some who possessed that divine
+testimony, must be sustained by some plausible arguments. The principal
+one relied on is, that the changes which are going on in the material
+world are proved to be only transmutations, which follow one another in
+series that return into themselves, and which may, therefore, have been
+going on from eternity; and if this be admitted, it is as easy to suppose
+matter to be self-sustained, and to have fallen into its present order of
+itself, as to suppose the interference of an infinite Spirit. &#8220;How do we
+know,&#8221; says Dr. Chalmers, in stating the atheistic argument, &#8220;that the
+world is a consequent at all? Is there any greater absurdity in supposing
+it to have existed, as it now is, at any specified point of time,
+throughout the millions of ages that are past, than that it should so
+exist at this moment? Does what we suppose might have been then, imply any
+greater absurdity, than what we actually see to be at present? Now, might
+not the same question be carried back to any point or period of duration,
+however remote? or, in other words, might we not dispense with a beginning
+for the world altogether?&#8221; &#8220;For aught we can know <i>a priori</i>,&#8221; says Hume,
+&#8220;matter may contain the source or spring of order originally within itself
+as well as mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that
+the several elements, from an internal, unknown cause, may fall into the
+most exquisite arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas, in the
+great universal mind, from a like internal cause, fall into that
+arrangement. If this material world rests upon a similar ideal world,
+this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> ideal world must rest upon some other, and so on without end. It
+were better, therefore, never to look beyond the present material world.
+By supposing it to contain the principle of its order within itself, we
+really assert it to be God; and the sooner we arrive at that divine Being,
+so much the better.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now, in what manner have these ingenious arguments been met? Until quite
+recently, no one has supposed that any light on this subject could be
+derived from geology. Indeed, even now, by many, that science is regarded
+as favoring the idea of the world&#8217;s eternity. Neither has it been thought
+that, on a question of natural theology, like this, it was proper to
+appeal to the Bible. Philosophers and divines, however, have attempted to
+reply to these arguments, irrespective of geology and revelation; and they
+have generally convinced themselves that they have been successful. But to
+my mind, I must confess, this has always appeared the weakest spot in
+natural religion. Some of the arguments to prove the world not eternal do,
+indeed, appear, at first statement, very profound; but they rather silence
+than convince; and the longer we reflect upon them, the more apt are we to
+doubt their force.</p>
+
+<p>And here I am constrained to bear testimony to the masterly manner in
+which this subject has been treated by Dr. Chalmers. Perceiving that the
+defences of natural religion on this subject were weak, in spite of much
+show of strength, he has laid out his giant force of intellect in clearing
+away the rubbish and building a rampart of rock. His remarkable skill in
+seizing upon and bringing out prominently the great principles of a
+difficult subject, and turning them round and round till they fill every
+eye, is here most happily exerted.</p>
+
+<p>Let us now proceed, in the first place, to examine the arguments that have
+been adduced to prove the non-eternity of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> the world, independent of
+geology and revelation; and in the second place, to derive from these two
+sources of evidence the true ground on which that proposition rests.</p>
+
+<p>The first supposed proof that the world has not eternally existed is
+derived from what is called the <i>a priori</i> argument for the existence of
+the Deity, originally proposed by the monk Anselmus, and afterwards more
+fully illustrated in England by Dr. Samuel Clarke. Take the following
+brief summary of this argument, as applied to the eternity of matter, in
+the words of Dr. Crombie.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Whatever has existed from eternity, independent and without any external
+cause, must be self-existent. Whatever is self-existent must exist
+necessarily, by an absolute necessity in the nature of the thing. This is
+also self-evident. It follows, therefore, that unless the material world
+exist necessarily, by an absolute necessity in its own nature, so that it
+must be a contradiction to suppose it not to exist, it cannot be
+independent and eternal. In order to disprove this absolute necessity, he
+[Dr. Clarke] reasoned thus: If matter be supposed to exist necessarily,
+then in that necessary existence is included the power of gravitation, or
+it is not. If not, then in a world merely material, and in which no
+intelligent being presides, there never could have been any motion. But if
+the power of gravitation be included in the pretended necessary existence
+of matter, then it follows necessarily, that there must be a vacuum; it
+follows, likewise, that matter is not a necessary being. For if a vacuum
+actually be, then it is plainly more than possible for matter not to be.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Is it not passing strange that such a dreamy argumentation as this&mdash;and it
+is a fair sample of Dr. Clarke&#8217;s extended work on the existence of the
+Deity&mdash;should have been regarded as sound logic by many of the acutest
+minds, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> a majority even of the ablest metaphysicians, up almost
+to the present day, should have felt satisfied with it? A few minds,
+indeed, long ago perceived its fallacy, among whom was Alexander Pope, who
+thus sarcastically describes it:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Be that my task, replies a gloomy Clarke,<br />
+Sworn foe to mystery, yet divinely dark.<br />
+Let others creep by timid steps and slow,<br />
+On plain experience lay foundation low,<br />
+By common sense to common notions bred,<br />
+And last to nature&#8217;s cause through nature led,<br />
+All-seeing in thy mists, we need no guide,<br />
+Mother of arrogance, and source of pride!<br />
+We nobly take the high <i>priori</i> road,<br />
+And reason downward till we doubt of God.&#8221;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><i>Dunciad</i>, Book IV.</span></p>
+
+<p>It is impossible, on this occasion, to go into a formal refutation of this
+famous argument. But this is unnecessary; since, as Dr. Chalmers says, it
+&#8220;has fallen into utter disesteem and desuetude.&#8221; Indeed, the language of
+Dr. Thomas Brown on this subject is not too severe, when he says, that he
+&#8220;conceives the abstract arguments that have been adduced to show that it
+is impossible for matter to have existed from eternity, by reasoning on
+what has been termed necessary existence, and the incompatibility of this
+necessary existence with the qualities of matter, to be relics of the mere
+verbal logic of the schools, as little capable of producing conviction as
+any of the wildest and most absurd of the technical scholastic reasonings
+on the properties, or supposed properties, of entity and nonentity.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, it has been argued with much apparent plausibility,
+by Dr. Paley, that wherever we find a complicated organic structure,
+adapted to produce beneficial results,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> its origin must be sought beyond
+itself; and since the world abounds with such organisms, it cannot be
+eternal; that is, the mere existence of animals and plants proves their
+non-eternity.</p>
+
+<p>Now, without asserting that there is no force in this argument, I have two
+remarks to make upon it. The first is, to quote the reply to it, which
+such a writer as David Hume has given, in language which I have just
+repeated. &#8220;For aught we can know <i>a priori</i>,&#8221; says he, &#8220;matter may
+contain the source or spring of order originally within itself, as well as
+mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that the several
+elements, from an internal unknown cause, may fall into the most exquisite
+arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas in the great universal
+mind, from a like internal unknown cause, fall into that arrangement. To
+say that the different ideas, which compose the reason of the Supreme,
+fall into order of themselves, and by their own nature, is really to talk
+without any precise meaning. If it has a meaning, I would fain know why it
+is not as good sense to say, that the parts of the material world fall
+into order of themselves and by their own nature. Can the one opinion be
+intelligible while the other is not so?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Fairly to meet this reasoning of the prince of sceptics is not an
+achievement of dulness or ignorance. In order to do it triumphantly, we
+want, what Dr. Paley could not find, a distinct example of the creation of
+numerous organic beings by some cause independent of themselves. I say, he
+could not find such an example; for on a question of natural theology, he
+did not think it proper to appeal to the Bible; nor had geology, when he
+wrote, revealed her astonishing record on this subject. But as it is now
+developed, it puts an end to all controversy as to the origin of the
+organic world.</p>
+
+<p>My second remark, however, on this argument is, that even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> admitting its
+correctness, it only proves the commencement of organic natures, but does
+not show that the matter of which they are composed may not have been
+eternal.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, an argument against the eternal existence of matter
+has been derived by Sir John Herschel, one of the most distinguished
+natural philosophers of the day, from the atomic constitution of bodies,
+as made known to us by chemistry. This science makes it certainly
+probable, that even the infinitesimal particles of matter have a definite
+and peculiar shape, and size, and weight, in each of the elements. &#8220;Now,&#8221;
+says this writer, &#8220;when we see a great number of things precisely alike,
+we do not believe this similarity to have originated, except from a common
+principle independent of them.&#8221; &#8220;The discoveries alluded to effectually
+destroy the idea of an external self-existent matter, by giving to each of
+its atoms the essential characters at once of a manufactured article and a
+subordinate agent.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>To this argument the atheist&#8217;s reply would be essentially the same as that
+last considered; and in one respect it would even be more forcible,
+because the atomic constitution of bodies, being less complex, is less
+obviously the result of foreign agency, and may more easily be regarded as
+the necessary property of eternal matter. On the other hand, however, it
+is more obviously an attribute of the original constitution of matter than
+organic structure; and if it does require an independent agency for its
+production, it seems difficult to conceive of the existence of matter in a
+previous state. So that, in this point of view, this argument is more
+forcible than the last; and it is no small evidence that it has real
+strength, that it comes to us from one of the most acute and impartial
+minds in Europe.</p>
+
+<p>In the fourth place, it is maintained that the idea of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> eternal
+succession, or chain of being, which the atheistic advocates of the
+world&#8217;s eternity defend, is highly absurd, and even mathematically false.</p>
+
+<p>The atheist mainly relies upon this notion of an eternal series of things;
+for if he can defend that opinion, he will overturn the main argument of
+the Theist for the divine existence, viz., that from design in the works
+of creation. On this ground, therefore, he should be fairly met. Has he
+been so met by the reasoning that has usually been employed to refute his
+opinion? As a fair sample of it, I will here quote the leading points of
+the argument, as given by one of the most popular and able theologians of
+our country. &#8220;It is asserted by atheists,&#8221; says Dr. Dwight, &#8220;that there
+has been an eternal series of things. The absurdity of this assertion may
+be shown in many ways.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;First. Each individual in a series is a unit. But every collection of
+units, however great, is with intuitive certainty numerable, and,
+therefore, cannot be infinite.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Secondly. Every individual in the series (take for example a series of
+men) had a beginning. But a collection of beings must, however long the
+series, have had a beginning. This, likewise, is intuitively evident.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thirdly. It is justly observed by the learned and acute Dr. Bentley, that
+in the supposed infinite series, as the number of individual men is
+alleged to be infinite, the number of their eyes must have been twice, the
+number of their fingers ten times, and the number of the hairs on their
+heads many thousand times, as great as the number of men.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fourthly. It is also observed by the same excellent writer, that all
+these generations of men were once present.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Dwight&#8217;s Theology</i>, vol.
+ii. p. 24.</p>
+
+<p>How is it possible that such reasoning should have satisfied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> logical and
+philosophical minds? Would it not be equally good to disprove the
+demonstrated principles of mathematics which relate to infinite
+quantities? For in mathematics an infinite series of units is a familiar
+phrase; and it is also common to speak of one infinite quantity as twice,
+or ten times, or many thousand times, greater than another, and that, too,
+in just such cases as the one referred to above.</p>
+
+<p>True, mathematical infinites are in some respects different from
+metaphysical infinites; but it is the former that belong to this argument,
+since the supposed infinite succession of organic beings forms a
+mathematical series.</p>
+
+<p>An acute writer in our own country, however, has recently attempted to
+show that &#8220;there can be no number actually infinite, and therefore no
+infinite number of generations.&#8221;<small><a name="f11.1" id="f11.1" href="#f11">[11]</a></small> That the mathematician cannot
+actually present before us the whole of an infinite series, is indeed most
+certain; for such, power belongs only to an Infinite Being. But does the
+fact that man&#8217;s faculties are limited, prove that an arithmetical process
+cannot be carried on from eternity to eternity? Because man cannot put
+upon paper the series of numbers representing the miles in infinite space,
+or the hours in infinite duration, is there, therefore, no such thing as
+infinite space, or infinite duration? Certainly not, if this reasoning be
+correct.</p>
+
+<p>In spite, however, of such mathematical metaphysics, is it not an
+intelligible statement of the atheist, when he says of any generation of
+men and animals in past time, that there was another that preceded it and
+unless you have matter-of-fact proof to the contrary, how will you
+disprove this assertion? You may show him that practically he can never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
+exhibit a series, even of numbers, extending eternally backward; but he
+may, in return, challenge you to put your finger upon the first link of
+the chain of organic nature. If you attempt it, he will reply that other
+links preceded the one you have named, and that, as far as you choose to
+run backward, he can go farther; in other words, by the very supposition
+which he makes, he excludes a beginning to organic nature, and, therefore,
+all reasoning which assumes such a beginning is of no force against his
+conclusions. If a series which may thus be extended indefinitely backward
+be not infinite in a metaphysical sense, it is to common sense.</p>
+
+<p>Let me not be thought to be an advocate in any sense for the unsupported
+notion of an infinite series of organic beings. But the question is,
+whether those who, in spite of common sense, have maintained this opinion,
+have been fairly refuted by such metaphysical evasions as I have quoted.
+The truth is, that, in order to end this dispute, the Theist needs to
+bring forward at least one example in which the commencement of some race
+of animals can be fairly pointed out; and I know not where such an example
+can be found, save in the Bible and geology.</p>
+
+<p>In the fifth place, the changing state of the world has been regarded as
+incompatible with the world&#8217;s eternity. This argument is thus stated by
+Bishop Sumner: &#8220;If the universe itself is the first eternal being, its
+existence is necessary, as metaphysicians speak; and it must be possessed
+of all those qualities which are inseparable from necessary existence. Of
+this nature are immutability and perfection. For change is the attribute
+of imperfection, and imperfection is incompatible with that Being, which
+is, as the hypothesis affirms, independent, and, therefore, can have no
+source of imperfection. To suppose, therefore, of the first independent
+Being, that it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> could have existed otherwise than it is, is no less
+contrary to the idea of necessity, with which we set out, than to suppose
+it not to exist at all.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This reasoning is not destitute of plausibility. For there is scarcely any
+lesson more forcibly impressed on short-lived man than the mutability of
+the world. And it is indeed true that change is its most striking
+attribute. But when we look at the subject philosophically, we find that
+all this mutability is consistent with the most perfect ultimate
+stability; nay, that the change is essential to secure the stability.
+Apart from what revelation and geology teach, these changes in nature form
+cycles, which, like those in astronomy, are perfectly consistent with the
+eternal permanence of the general system to which they belong. In the
+motions of the heavenly bodies, a considerable amount of irregularity and
+oscillation about a mean state does not tend to the ruin, but rather to
+the preservation, of the system, provided the anomalies do not extend
+beyond certain limits. It is just so with other changes that are going on
+around us. All of them are, in fact, as much regulated by mathematical
+laws as the perturbations of the heavenly bodies; although those laws are
+more complicated and difficult to bring out in distinct formul&aelig; in the
+former case than in the latter. Yet even in astronomy, it is not many
+years since the mutual disturbances among the heavenly bodies were
+supposed to be the certain precursors of ruin to the system. It was not
+till the famous problem of the three bodies was solved, by the use of the
+most refined mathematical analysis, that astronomers learnt the true
+operation of those causes of disturbance among the heavenly bodies which
+exist in their mutual attractions. It was then found that, so balanced are
+they in their action, and so narrow their limits, that they can never
+affect the stability of the system;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> or, rather, they secure that
+stability. It is, indeed, true, that when changes in nature go on
+increasing or decreasing in magnitude indefinitely, they clearly indicate
+a beginning and an end to the system to which they belong. And it was on
+this principle that the earlier astronomers predicted that the celestial
+perturbations would ultimately bring the universe to a state of chaos.
+They found, for instance, that the moon&#8217;s orbit was decreasing in size,
+and they inferred that, ultimately, that luminary must come to the earth.
+But they now know it to be mathematically certain that, after a long
+period, the diminution of the orbit will cease; it will begin to expand,
+and go on expanding,-until the opposite point of oscillation is reached,
+when it will again diminish; and in this manner, if God&#8217;s will permit,
+perform its eternal round. Just so it is with all the irregularities of
+the solar system.</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 5em;">&#8220;Yonder starry sphere</span><br />
+Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels,<br />
+Resembles nearest mazes intricate,<br />
+Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular;<br />
+Then most, when most irregular they seem.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And so it is with all the natural changes which we witness around us, and
+with all which science shows us to have taken place on the globe,
+excepting some which geology discloses, and perhaps one which astronomy
+renders probable. Let us look at some of those changes which the argument
+under consideration regards as inconsistent with the world&#8217;s eternity.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the changes in nature with which we are acquainted belong to
+three classes,&mdash;the mechanical, the chemical, and the organic.
+Astronomical changes are purely mechanical; and hence the ease with which
+they may be calculated by mathematics. The universal system of death,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>
+which reigns over all animals and plants, is the result of organic laws;
+and it is this which probably gives to man the strongest impression of the
+transient nature of sublunary things. But just consider the antagonist
+agencies to this universal destroyer. I refer to the equally universal
+system of reproduction, and to the law by which permanence of species is
+secured. The consequence is, that, while every individual animal and plant
+dies, the species survives. In the whole history of the animals and plants
+now existing on the globe, only eight or ten certain examples are on
+record in which a species has become extinct, and those are some large
+birds, such as the dinornis and dodo, once inhabitants of the Isle of
+Bourbon and New Zealand. Every one of the human family, every elephant,
+every ox, every lion, &amp;c., die, but man, as a species, still lives; and so
+does the elephant, the ox, and the lion; and most obviously this is a law
+of nature. How easy, then, for the atheist to evade the force of your
+argument against the world&#8217;s eternity, drawn from the ravages of death! He
+has only to suppose the havoc of individuals by death always to have been
+repaired by the equivalent operation of reproduction, and that these two
+agencies have been balanced against each other from eternity; and how will
+you prove this impossible, except by the absurd metaphysical arguments
+already considered?</p>
+
+<p>Atmospheric and aqueous changes often, and, indeed, generally, appear more
+chaotic and destitute of a controlling force than any others in nature.
+When the winds are let loose from their prison-house; when the heavens
+become dark, and the clouds, rent by the lightnings, pour down their
+contents, and the swollen torrents carry desolation down the mountain&#8217;s
+side and over the wide plain; when the ocean rolls in upon the land its
+giant waves; when the tornado sweeps all before it, in rich tropical
+regions; or when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> sirocco sends its hot blast, loaded with sand, over
+the devoted surface,&mdash;in all these cases, how difficult for us to conceive
+that all this uproar among the elements is limited and controlled by laws
+as fixed and unalterable as those which regulate the heavenly bodies!
+Nevertheless, it must be so; and although the winds and the waters seem to
+be rioting at their pleasure, there are, in fact, at work antagonist
+agencies; which will confine their wild war to a narrow field, and soon
+bring them again into peaceful submission. For such has always been the
+case, and the limits of their irregularities are no wider now than six
+thousand years ago. In other words, the repressing agency has always been
+superior to the destroying force, when the latter has risen to a certain
+limit; and I doubt not but the profounder mathematics of angelic minds
+might as easily calculate the anomalies and perturbations of winds and
+waves as the formulas of La Place can determine those of the solar system.
+And if such constancy has existed for six thousand years in meteorological
+changes,&mdash;of all others in nature apparently the most irregular,&mdash;why, the
+atheist will ask, may not that constancy have been eternal? And with equal
+reason may he ask the same in respect to all changes resulting from
+mechanical, chemical, and organic laws, which we witness in nature, except
+those which come within the province of geology, and even concerning some
+of those; and what changes in the material world do not result, directly
+or remotely, from one or two, or all of these laws? Yet, in regard to all
+these changes, there is no inconsistency in supposing them to have gone on
+in an eternal series; and hence they furnish no proof of the non-eternity
+of the world.</p>
+
+<p>In the seventh and last place, the recent origin of society, as shown by
+historical monuments, is regarded as evidence of the recent origin of the
+world. This argument was well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> understood as long ago as the days of
+Lucretius, who states it very clearly in the oft-quoted lines,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Si nulla fuit genitalis origo,<br />
+Terrarum et c&oelig;li, semperque eterna fuit,<br />
+Cur, supra bellum Thebanum et funera Troj&aelig;,<br />
+Non alias alii quoque res cecinere p&oelig;t&aelig;?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This argument, though it has been met by a plausible reply, is certainly
+of great importance in its bearing upon the recent origin of the human
+race, which, as we shall shortly see, is a point of much interest. But it
+is obvious that it proves nothing respecting the origin of matter, since
+this might have had an eternal existence before man was placed upon it. We
+need not, therefore, be delayed by its discussion.</p>
+
+<p>Such is a fair summary, as I believe, of the arguments usually adduced,
+aside from the Bible and geology, to prove the non-eternity of the world.
+I am not prepared to say that they amount to nothing; but I do believe
+that they perplex, rather than convince, and that some of them are mere
+metaphysical quibbles.</p>
+
+<p>They do not produce that instantaneous conviction which most of the
+arguments of natural theology force upon the mind; and it is easy to see
+how a man of a sceptical turn should rise from their examination entirely
+unaffected, or affected unfavorably. Let us now, therefore, turn to
+geology, and inquire whether its archives will afford us any clearer light
+upon the subject.</p>
+
+<p>And here we must confess, at the outset, that geology furnishes us no more
+evidence than the other sciences of the creation of the matter of the
+universe out of nothing. But it does furnish us with examples of such
+modifications of matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> as could be effected only by a Deity. Suppose,
+then, we should be obliged to acknowledge to the atheist, that we yield to
+him the point of matter&#8217;s eternal existence, if he pleases, because we can
+find nowhere in nature decisive evidence of its creation, and then take
+our stand upon the arrangements and metamorphoses of matter. Or, rather,
+suppose we say to him, that we shall not contend with him as to the origin
+of matter, but challenge him to explain, if he can, without a Deity, its
+modifications, as taught by geology. If that science does disclose to us
+such changes on the globe as no power and wisdom but those of an infinite
+God could produce, then of what consequence is it, so far as religion is
+concerned, whether we can, or cannot, demonstrate the first creation of
+matter? I can conceive of no religious truth that would be unfavorably
+affected, though we should admit that this point cannot be settled. Let
+us, then, at least for the sake of argument, admit that it cannot be, and
+proceed to inquire whether, aside from this point, geology does not teach
+us all that is necessary to establish the most perfect system of Theism. I
+shall select four examples from that science, each of which is independent
+of the others in its bearing upon the subject, since in this way the
+argument will become cumulative; and if some are not satisfied with one
+example, the others may produce conviction.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, geology teaches that the time has been when the earth
+existed as a molten mass of matter, and, therefore, all the animals and
+plants now existing upon its surface, and all those buried in its rocky
+strata, must have had a beginning, or have been created. I should be
+sustained by many probabilities, were I to go farther, and maintain that
+the time was when the globe existed in a gaseous state&mdash;an opinion very
+widely adopted by able philosophers of the present day.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> But as this view
+is more hypothetical than my first position, which makes the earth a
+liquid mass, and as nothing would be gained to the argument by supposing
+it in a gaseous state, I shall not press that point. That it was once in a
+state of fusion is probable from the very great heat still remaining in
+its interior. But more direct proof of this results from the facts, now
+admitted by almost all geologists, that the unstratified rocks have all
+been melted, and that the stratified class have all, or nearly all, been
+the result of disintegration and abrasion of the unstratified masses. A
+striking confirmation of this opinion is the spheroidal figure of the
+earth,&mdash;a figure precisely such as the globe would have assumed in
+consequence of rotation, had it been in a fluid state. In fine, so many
+and so decisive are the facts which point to the original igneous fluidity
+of the globe, that no competent judge thinks of doubting that all the
+matter of which it is composed, certainly its crust, has some time or
+other been in that state. It is, however, the opinion of some geologists
+of distinction, that the whole of it was not in fusion at the same time,
+and that its different portions have passed successively through the
+furnace. But this view of the subject scarcely affects my argument, since
+at whatever period the fusion of any part took place, the destruction of
+organic life, if it existed, must have been the consequence. The essential
+thing is, to show that such was once the state of the earth that animals
+and plants could not have existed on it. For if such was the case, their
+creation must have been a subsequent operation; and if this did not
+require an infinite Being to accomplish it, no result in nature would
+demand his agency.</p>
+
+<p>To prove the original igneous fluidity of the globe, we might have adopted
+another course of argument. All will admit that the present temperature of
+the interior of the earth is far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> more elevated than that of the
+surrounding planetary spaces. The inevitable result is, from the known
+laws of heat, that its radiation into the celestial spaces is constantly
+going on, and consequently the earth&#8217;s temperature is being constantly
+lowered. Who can tell us now when this process of refrigeration commenced?
+If no one, then there must have been a time when the heat was great enough
+to fuse the whole globe. And the facts already stated confirm such an
+inference. For all the efforts hitherto made to show that the earth may be
+passing through regions of various temperatures, in its march around the
+centre of centres, amount to nothing more than dreamy conjecture.</p>
+
+<p>In order to feel the force of the argument, sustained by so many facts in
+geology, just picture to yourselves this vast globe as a mass of liquid
+fire. From such a world every thing organic must have been excluded, and
+every thing combustible consumed, and only such combinations of matter
+have existed as incandescent heat could not decompose. Compare such a
+world with that now teeming with life, and beauty, and glory, which we
+inhabit; and say, must not the transition to its present condition have
+demanded the exercise of infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite
+benevolence? You can, indeed, conceive how a solid crust might have formed
+over the vast fiery ocean, by the simple radiation of heat; and then, too,
+by natural laws, might the vapors have been condensed into oceans and
+clouds, while volcanic force within might have lifted up our continents
+and mountains above the flood. But what a picture of desolation and ruin
+would such a world present, while unadorned with vegetation, and with no
+voice of life to break the stillness of universal death! Here is, then,
+the precise point where we need the interference of a Deity. Admit, if you
+please, that atheism, with its eternal matter and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> the laws of nature at
+command, might form a world without inhabitants. Who does not see, that to
+bestow organization, and life, and instinct, to say nothing of intellect,
+upon brute matter, is the loftiest prerogative of Jehovah? especially to
+fill so vast a world as ours with its teeming millions, exhibiting ten
+thousand diversities of size, form, and structure.</p>
+
+<p>Let the atheist then exult in the belief of an eternal world. Geology
+shows him that it must have been without inhabitants; and that, therefore,
+the most wonderful part of the creation still remains to be accounted for;
+while physiology teaches that the interference of an infinite Deity can
+alone solve the enigma.</p>
+
+<p>My second example from geology to disprove the notion of an eternal series
+of animals and plants on the globe, is derived from the history of organic
+remains. That history shows us clearly, that the earth, since its
+creation, has been the seat of several distinct economies of life, each
+occupying long periods, and successively passing away. During each of
+these periods, distinct groups of animals and plants have occupied the
+earth, the air, and the waters. Each successive group has been entirely
+distinct from that which preceded it, though each group was exactly
+adapted to the existing state of the climate and the food provided; so
+that, had the different groups changed places with one another, they must
+have perished, because their constitutions were adapted only to the state
+of things during the period in which they actually lived. A distinguished
+naturalist has recently declared that &#8220;he has discovered, in surveying the
+entire series of fossil animal remains, five great groups, so completely
+independent that no species whatever is found in more than one of
+them.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Deshayes.</i></p>
+
+<p>Including the existing races, this would give us six entirely distinct
+groups of organic beings that have lived in succession upon this globe
+since it became a habitable world. But even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> if it should be found that a
+few species are common to adjoining groups, the great truth would still
+remain, that the different groups were too much unlike to be
+contemporaries, and that consequently a new creation must have taken place
+whenever each new group commenced its course.</p>
+
+<p>It is probable the earth has changed its inhabitants more than the six
+times that have been mentioned; some think as many as twelve times. But a
+larger number cannot yet be proved so clearly; and could they be, they
+would add nothing to this argument; for it rests mainly on the fact that
+this change of organic life has even once been complete. We may, however,
+very safely assume that the present animals and plants are the sixth group
+that have occupied the globe.<small><a name="f12.1" id="f12.1" href="#f12">[12]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>These facts being admitted, and who does not see the necessity of divine
+interference, whenever one race of animals and plants passed from the
+earth in order to repeople it? It is not difficult to conceive how
+volcanic fires, or aqueous inundations, may have carried universal
+destruction over the globe, and bereft it of inhabitants. But where, save
+in the fiat of an infinite Deity, is the power that can make this universe
+of death teem again with life and beauty? In the powerful language of Dr.
+Chalmers, we may inquire, &#8220;Is there aught in the rude and boisterous play
+of a great physical catastrophe that can germinate those exquisite
+structures, which, during our yet undisturbed economy, have been
+transmitted in pacific succession to the present day? What is there in the
+rush, and turbulence, and mighty clamor of such great elements, of ocean
+heaved from its old resting-place, and lifting its billows above the Alps
+and the Andes of a former continent,&mdash;what is there in this to charm into
+being the embryo of an infant family, wherewith to stock and to repeople a
+now desolate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> world? We see in the sweeping energy and uproar of this
+elemental war enough to account for the disappearance of all the old
+generations, but nothing that might cradle any new generations into
+existence, so as to have effloresced on ocean&#8217;s deserted bed the life and
+loveliness which are now before our eyes. At no juncture, we apprehend, in
+the history of the world, is the interposition of the Deity more manifest
+than at this; nor can we better account for so goodly a creation emerging
+again into new forms of animation and beauty from the wreck of the old
+one, than that the spirit of God moved on the face of chaos, and that
+nature, turned by the last catastrophe into a wilderness, was again
+repeopled at the utterance of his word.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sir Isaac Newton has said, that &#8220;the growth of new systems out of old
+ones, without the mediation of a divine power, seems to me apparently
+absurd.&#8221; He seems in this passage to have referred only to the
+arrangements of matter, &#8220;with respect to size, figure, proportions, and
+properties,&#8221; and not to the principle of life, of instinct, or of
+intellect. But when the latter are taken into the account, it must be
+superlatively absurd to suppose new systems can grow out of old ones by
+merely natural operations. He, indeed, who can bring himself to believe,
+with a certain writer, that &#8220;the instincts of animals are nothing more
+than inert and passive attractions, derived from the power of sensation,
+and the instinctive operations of animals nothing more than
+crystallizations produced through the agency of that power,&#8221;&mdash;such a man
+could probably easily persuade himself that, by the help of galvanism,
+animals and plants might be the result of natural operations. Such
+doctrines, however, we shall examine in another lecture.</p>
+
+<p>My third example from geology, showing the non-eternity of the present
+condition of the globe, is the fact of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>disappearance of several large
+species of animals since the commencement of the most recent or alluvial
+geological period. Certain large pachydermatous and other animals, such as
+the fossil elephant, the mastodon, the megatherium, the mylodon, the
+megalonyx, the glyptodon, the fossil horse, ox, deer, &amp;c., also nine or
+ten species of huge birds&mdash;the dinornis, the palapteryx, aptornis,
+notornis, and nestor of New Zealand, the dodo of Mauritius and Bourbon,
+and the pezohaps or solitaire of Rodriguez,&mdash;have ceased to exist since
+the tertiary period; some of them&mdash;the birds, for instance&mdash;since man&#8217;s
+creation. Now, if any important species of animals from time to time
+disappear from any system of organic life, it shows a tendency to ruin in
+that system; for such is the intimate dependence of different beings upon
+one another, that you cannot blot out one, certainly not a large number,
+without disturbing the healthy balance between the whole, and probably
+bringing the whole to ultimate ruin. At any rate, if several species die
+out by natural processes, no reason can be given why others should not, in
+like manner, disappear. And to prove that any organic system shows a
+tendency to ruin is to show that it had a beginning.</p>
+
+<p>My third example from geology, demonstrating the special interference of
+the Deity in the affairs of this world, is the fact of the comparatively
+recent commencement of the human race. That man was among the very last of
+the animals created is made certain by the fact that his remains are found
+only in the highest part of alluvium. This is rarely more than one hundred
+feet in thickness, while the other fossiliferous strata, lying beneath the
+alluvium, are six miles thick.</p>
+
+<p>Hence man was not in existence during all the period in which these six
+miles of strata were in a course of deposition, and he has existed only
+during the comparatively short period<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> in which the one hundred feet of
+alluvium have been formed; nay, during only a small part of the alluvial
+period. His bones, having the same chemical composition as the bones of
+other animals, are no more liable to decay; and, therefore, had he lived
+and died in any of the periods preceding the alluvial, his bones must have
+been mixed with those of other animals belonging to those periods. But
+they are not thus found in a single well-authenticated instance, and,
+therefore, his existence has been limited to the alluvial period. Hence he
+must have been created and placed upon the globe&mdash;such is the testimony of
+geology&mdash;during the latter part of the alluvial period.</p>
+
+<p>I might include in this example nearly all the other species of existing
+animals and plants, since it is only a very few of these that are found
+fossil, and such species are limited to the tertiary strata. But since
+this might make some confusion in the argument, and since man is
+confessedly at the head of the existing creation, I prefer to let his case
+stand out alone, and to regard it <i>instar omnium</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Here, then, we have a case in which geology can lay her finger upon the
+precise epoch, in the revolutions of our globe, in which the most
+complicated, perfect, and exalted being that ever dwelt upon its surface
+first began to be. It was not the commencement of a mere zo&ouml;phyte, or
+cryptogamean plant, in which we see but little superiority to unorganized
+matter, except in their possession of a low degree of vitality. But we
+have a being complicated enough to contain a million of parts, endowed
+with the two great attributes of life, sensibility and contractility, in
+the highest degree, and, above all, possessing intellect and moral powers
+far more wonderful than organization and animal life.</p>
+
+<p>As to the period when the creation of such a being, by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> most
+astonishing of all miracles, took place, I believe there is no diversity
+of opinion. At least, all agree that it was very recent; nay, although
+geology can rarely give chronological dates, but only a succession of
+events, she is able to say, from the monuments she deciphers, that man
+cannot have occupied the globe more than six thousand years.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if it was difficult to conceive how successive races of the inferior
+animals and plants could have originated in the laws of nature, without
+the special interference of the Deity, that difficulty increases in a
+rapid ratio as we ascend on the scale of organization and intellect, and
+attempt in the same manner to account for the origin of man without the
+miraculous agency of Deity. The thorough-going materialist, however, does
+not shrink from the effort. &#8220;Thought,&#8221; says Bory de St. Vincent, &#8220;being
+the necessary result of a certain kind of organization, wherever this
+order is established, thought is necessarily derived from it; and it is no
+more possible for the molecules of matter, arranged in a certain manner,
+not to produce thought, than for brass, when smitten, not to return a
+sound, or for creatures formed by this matter, after such and such laws,
+not to walk, not to breathe, not to reproduce; in a word, not to exercise
+any of the faculties which result from their peculiar mechanism of
+organization.&#8221;&mdash;Dict. Clas. <i>D. Hist. Nat.</i> art. <i>Mati&egrave;re</i>.</p>
+
+<p>This may seem, upon a superficial view, to be settling this matter at
+once. But it merely shifts the difficulty from one part of the subject to
+another. Admitting the premises of the materialist to be correct, it does
+indeed show us the proximate cause of thought. But the mind immediately
+inquires how a certain organization became possessed of such wonderful
+power. Is it inherent in matter, or is it a power communicated to
+organization by a supreme Being? If the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> latter, it is just what the
+Theist contends for; if the former, then there is just as much necessity
+for the original interposition of the Deity, in order to give matter such
+an astonishing power, as there is, on the theory of the immaterialist, to
+impart a spiritual and immortal principle to matter. The materialist will,
+indeed, say that matter has possessed this power from eternity. But this
+supposition, evidently absurd, does in fact invest matter with the
+attributes of Deity; since those attributes, and those alone, are
+sufficient to account for the phenomena. And besides, how is the fact to
+be explained that this power was not exerted till six thousand years ago?</p>
+
+<p>But with the exception of the materialist, I am sure that most reasoning
+minds will feel as if the creation of the human family was one of the most
+stupendous, perhaps the most stupendous, exercise of infinite power and
+wisdom which the universe exhibits. If any change whatever demands a Deity
+for its accomplishment, it must be this; and, therefore, geology presents,
+in the case of man, the most striking example which nature could furnish
+of a beginning of organic and intellectual life on the globe. It shows us
+that there was a time, and that not remote, when the first link of the
+curious chain of the human family, now constantly lengthening by
+inflexible laws, was created.</p>
+
+<p>I might now refer to certain recent discoveries in astronomy, which have
+the same bearing upon the general argument as the examples that have been
+quoted from geology, although less decisive. After the famous
+demonstration of the eternity of the universe by La Grange, provided the
+present laws of gravity alone control it, we could hardly expect that, so
+soon, even astronomy would furnish proof of a disturbing cause, which must
+ultimately and inevitably bring ruin among the heavenly bodies, if some
+counteracting agency be not exerted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> Yet such a source of derangement
+exists in the supposed medium extending through all space, which has
+already shown its retarding influence upon Enke&#8217;s, Biela&#8217;s, and Halley&#8217;s
+comets. And who can say that some of the vast periods which geology
+discloses may not have been commensurate with those intervening between
+catastrophes among the heavenly bodies as the result of the universal
+resisting ether? At present, however, we can say only that we know such
+long periods have existed in geology, and probably in astronomy. And their
+mere existence is fatal to the idea of the eternity of the world in its
+present state.</p>
+
+<p>If, then, geology can clearly demonstrate the present state of the globe
+to have had a beginning; if she can show us the period, by fair induction,
+when one liquid, fiery ocean enveloped the whole earth; if she can show us
+five or six economies of organic life successively flourishing and passing
+away; if she can trace man back to his origin at a comparatively recent
+date; if, in fact, she can show us that the most important operations on
+the globe, and the most complicated and exalted organic races, had a
+beginning; and if astronomy affords glimpses of similar changes,&mdash;then why
+may we not safely leave the subject of the world&#8217;s eternity an undecided
+question, consistently with the most perfect Theism? If we can prove that
+the power, the wisdom, and the benevolence of the Deity have again and
+again interfered with the regular sequence of nature&#8217;s operations, and
+introduced new conditions and new and more perfect beings, by using the
+matter already in existence, what though we cannot, by the light of
+science, run back to the first production of matter itself? What though
+the atheist should here be allowed to maintain his favorite theory that
+matter never had a beginning? What doctrine of natural religion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> is
+thereby unfavorably affected, if we can only show the interposition of the
+Deity in all of matter&#8217;s important modifications? Such an admission would
+not prove matter to be eternal, but only that science has not yet placed
+within the reach of man the means of proving its non-eternity. And really,
+such an admission would be far more favorable to the cause of truth than
+to rely, as theologians have done, on metaphysical subtilties to prove
+that matter had a beginning. For the sceptical mind will not merely remain
+unconvinced by such arguments, but be very apt to draw the sweeping
+inference that all the doctrines of natural and revealed religion rest on
+similar dreamy abstractions.</p>
+
+<p>But is natural theology in fact destitute of all satisfactory proof that
+the matter of the universe had a beginning? Such proof, it seems to me,
+she will seek in vain in the wide fields of physical and mathematical
+science; and the solution of the question which metaphysics offers, as we
+have seen, does not satisfy. But there are sources of evidence on this
+point which seem to me of the most satisfactory kind.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, we may derive from science some presumptive proof of a
+commencement of the matter of the universe. The fact that the organic
+races on the globe had a beginning affords such proof. For matter could
+not have originated itself; nor is there any proof of its eternal
+existence; and to assume that it did eternally exist, without proof, is
+far more unphilosophical than to admit its origination in the divine will.
+For since God has complete control over matter, it is probable that he
+created it with such properties as he wished it to possess. And
+furthermore, to the power and wisdom that could set in motion the heavenly
+bodies, and create and adapt existing organisms out of pre&euml;xistent matter,
+we can assign no limits, and hence conclude them to be infinite.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>
+Therefore they are sufficient to the production of matter, which could not
+have demanded more than infinite wisdom and power.</p>
+
+<p>Now, in confirmation of these presumptions, we may appeal to the Bible. It
+is true that writers have been accustomed to consider it contrary to sound
+logic to draw from revelation any support or illustrations of natural
+religion. But why should an historical fact possess less value, if
+transmitted to us through the channel of sacred, rather than profane,
+writers? Now, it would be regarded as perfectly good reasoning to seize
+upon any facts stated by heathen philosophers and historians, illustrative
+of natural religion. But the Scriptures carry with them, to say the least,
+quite as strong evidence of their authenticity and claims to be credited,
+as any ancient uninspired writer. We place them on the same ground as any
+other history, and demand for them only that they should be believed so
+far as we have testimony to their authenticity. If a man, after careful
+examination of their evidences, comes to the conclusion that they are mere
+fables, then to him their testimony is of no value to prove or illustrate
+any truth of natural religion. But if he is convinced that they are worthy
+of credence, then their statements may decide a point about which the
+light of nature leaves him in uncertainty. In this way the Bible is used
+by the natural theologian, just as he would employ any curious object in
+nature&mdash;say, the human hand, or the eye. These organs exist, and their
+mechanism is to be accounted for either with or without a God. And so the
+Bible exists, and its contents are to be accounted for; and if they
+clearly evince the agency of a Deity, then we may use them, just as we
+would use the eye or the hand, to prove or illustrate important truths in
+natural theology.</p>
+
+<p>But the testimony of the Bible, as to the origin of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> world, is most
+explicit and decided. It declares that <i>in the beginning God created the
+heavens and the earth; and that the worlds were formed by the word of God,
+so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do
+appear</i>. The obvious meaning of this latter passage is, that the material
+universe was created out of nothing. (<ins class="correction" title="ta m&ecirc; phainomena">&#964;&#945; &#956;&#951;
+&#966;&#945;&#953;&#957;&#959;&#956;&#949;&#957;&#945;</ins>.) How much
+more satisfactory this simple and consistent statement, than a volume of
+abstract argument to prove the non-eternity of the world!</p>
+
+<p>Now, if the testimony of the Scriptures on all other points has been found
+correct, why should we not receive with unhesitating credence, and even
+with joy, the sublime announcement with which that volume opens? True, we
+are not compelled to admit this statement, in order to save Theism from
+refutation, because geology shows us the commencement of several economies
+on the globe, which point us to a divine Author. But the doctrine of
+matter&#8217;s creation out of nothing gives a desirable completeness to the
+system.</p>
+
+<p>In looking back upon the subject, which has thus been discussed, too
+briefly for its merits, but too prolixly for your patience, several
+important inferences force themselves upon our attention.</p>
+
+<p>And first, it furnishes a satisfactory reply to a well-known objection,
+otherwise unanswerable, against the argument from design in nature to
+prove the existence of a Deity. We present ten thousand examples of
+exquisite design and adaptation in nature to the atheist. He admits them
+all; but says, it was always so, and therefore requires no other Deity but
+the power eternally inherent in nature. At your metaphysical replies to
+his objections he laughs; but when you take him back on geological wings,
+and bid him gaze on man, just springing, with his lofty powers, from the
+plastic hands of his Creator,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> and then, still earlier, you point him to
+system after system of organic life starting up in glorious variety and
+beauty on the changing earth, and even still nearer the birth of time, you
+show him the globe, a glowing ocean of fire, swept of all organic life, he
+is forced to exclaim, &#8220;A God! a personal God! an infinitely wise and
+powerful God!&#8221; What though he still clings to the notion of matter&#8217;s
+eternity? you have forced him to see the hand of Deity in its wonderful
+arrangements and metamorphoses; the hand of such a Deity as might have
+brought it into existence in a moment, by the word of his power.<small><a name="f13.1" id="f13.1" href="#f13">[13]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>Secondly. The subject presents us with a new argument for the existence of
+a God, or rather a satisfactory modification of the argument from design.
+In that argument, as derived from other sciences, the Theist finds,
+indeed, multiplied and beautiful proofs of adaptation and apparent design;
+but then he cannot, as already observed, from those sciences derive proof
+of the commencement either of matter or its arrangements; and then, too,
+the sceptic, with plausible ingenuity, can take his stand upon law as the
+efficient agent in nature&#8217;s movements and harmonies. But when geology
+shows us, not the commencement of matter, but of organism, and presents us
+with full systems of animals and plants springing out of inorganic
+elements, where is the law that exhibits even a tendency to such results?
+Nothing can explain them but the law of miracles; that is, creation by
+divine interposition. Thus is the idea of a Deity forced nakedly upon us,
+as the only possible solution of the enigmas of creation. The
+metaphysical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> Theist must waste half his strength in battling the
+questions about the beginning of matter, and the laws of matter; nor can
+he ever entirely dislodge the enemy from these strongholds of atheism. But
+the geological Theist takes us at once into a field where work has been
+done, which neither eternal law, nor eternal matter, but an infinite
+personal Deity only, could accomplish.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion, I would merely refer to the interesting fact, that geology
+should prove almost the only science that presents us with exigencies
+demanding the interposition of creating power. And yet, up to the present
+time, geology has been looked upon by many Christian writers with jealous
+eye, because it was supposed to teach the world&#8217;s eternity, and so to
+account for natural changes by catastrophes and the gradual operation of
+existing agencies, as to render a Deity unnecessary, either for the
+creation or regulation of the world. One of these writers has even most
+uncharitably and unreasonably said, that &#8220;the mineral geology, considered
+as a science, can do as well without God (though in a question concerning
+the origin of the earth) as Lucretius did.&#8221;&mdash;Granville Penn, <i>Comparative
+Estimate</i>, &amp;c.&mdash;How much ground there is for such an allegation, let the
+developments made in this lecture answer. Surely, in this case, geology
+has followed the directions of the Oriental poet:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Learn from yon Orient shell to love thy foe,<br />
+And strew with pearls the hand that brings thee woe;<br />
+Free, like yon rock, from base, vindictive pride,<br />
+Emblaze with gems the wrist that rends thy side.<br />
+Mark where yon tree rewards the stony shower<br />
+With fruit nectareous or the balmy flower.<br />
+All nature calls aloud,&mdash;&#8216;Shall man do less<br />
+Than heal the smiter, and the railer bless?&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>Misunderstood or misinterpreted though this science has been, she now
+offers her aid to fortify some of the weakest outposts of religion. And
+thus shall it ever be with all true science. Twin sister of natural and
+revealed religion, and of heavenly birth, she will never belie her
+celestial origin, nor cease to sympathize with all that emanates from the
+same pure home. Human ignorance and prejudice may for a time seem to have
+divorced what God has joined together. But human ignorance and prejudice
+shall at length pass away, and then science and religion shall be seen
+blending their parti-colored rays into one beautiful bow of light, linking
+heaven to earth and earth to heaven.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_VI" id="LECTURE_VI"></a>LECTURE VI.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE.</span></p>
+
+<p>The subject of the present lecture is the divine benevolence, as taught by
+geology. But what connection, it will be asked, can there be between the
+history of rocks and the benevolence of God? Do not the leading points of
+that history consist of terrible catastrophes, aqueous or igneous, by
+which the crust of the earth has been dislocated and upheaved, mountains
+lifted up and overturned, the dry land inundated, now by scorching lava,
+and now by the ocean, sweeping from its face all organic life, and
+entombing its inhabitants in a stony grave? Who can find the traces of
+benevolence in the midst of such desolation and death? Is it not the very
+place where the objector would find arguments to prove the malevolence,
+certainly the vindictive justice, of the Deity?</p>
+
+<p>This, I am aware, is a not unnatural <i>prima facie</i> view of this subject.
+But it is a false one. Geology does furnish some very striking evidence of
+divine benevolence; and if I can show this, and from so unpromising a
+field gather decisive arguments on this subject, they will be so much
+clear gain to the cause of Theism. This is what, therefore, I shall now
+attempt to do.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, I derive an argument for the divine benevolence from
+the manner in which soils are formed by the disintegration and
+decomposition of rocks.</i></p>
+
+<p>Chemical analysis shows us that the mineral constituents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> of rocks are
+essentially the same as those of soils; and that the latter differ from
+the former, in a pulverized state, only in containing animal and vegetable
+matter. Hence we cannot doubt but the soils originated from the rocks.
+And, in fact, the process of their production is continually going on
+under our eyes. Wherever the rocks are exposed to atmospheric agencies,
+they are seen to crumble down; and, in fact, most of them, having been
+long exposed, are now covered with a deposit of their own ruins, forming a
+soil over them. This process is in part decomposition and in part
+disintegration; and as we look upon rocks thus wasting away, we are apt to
+be impressed with the idea that it is an instance of decay in nature&#8217;s
+works, which, instead of indicating benevolence, can hardly be reconciled
+with divine wisdom. But when we learn that this is the principal mode in
+which soils are produced, that without it vegetation could not be
+sustained, and that a world like ours without plants must also be without
+animals, this apparent ruin puts on the aspect of benevolence and wise
+design.</p>
+
+<p><i>My second argument in proof of the divine benevolence is derived from the
+disturbed, broken, and overturned condition of the earth&#8217;s crust.</i></p>
+
+<p>To the casual observer, the rocks have the appearance of being lifted up,
+shattered, and overturned. But it is only the geologist who knows the vast
+extent of this disturbance. He never finds crystalline, non-fossiliferous
+rocks, which have not been more or less removed from their original
+position; and usually he finds them to have been thrown up by some
+powerful agency into almost every possible position. The older
+fossiliferous strata exhibit almost equal evidence of the operation of a
+powerful disturbing force, though sometimes found in their original
+horizontal position. The newer rocks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> have experienced less of this
+agency, though but few of them have not been elevated or dislocated.
+Mountainous countries exhibit this action most strikingly. There it is
+shown sometimes on a magnificent scale. Entire mountains in the Alps, for
+instance, appear not only to have been lifted up from the ocean&#8217;s depths,
+but to have been actually thrown over, so as to bring the lowest and
+oldest rocks at the top of the series. The extensive range of mountains in
+this country, commencing in Canada, and embracing the Green Mountains of
+Vermont, the Highlands of New York, and most of the Alleghany chain as far
+as Alabama, a distance of some twelve hundred miles, has also been lifted
+up, and some of the strata, by a lateral force, folded together, and then
+thrown over, so as now to occupy an inverted position. Let us now see
+wherein this agency exhibits benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>If these strata had remained horizontal, as they were originally
+deposited, it is obvious that all the valuable ores, minerals, and rocks,
+which man could not have discovered by direct excavation, must have
+remained forever unknown to him. Now, man has very seldom penetrated the
+rocks below the depth of half a mile, and rarely so deep as that; whereas,
+by the elevations, dislocations, and overturnings that have been
+described, he obtains access to all deposits of useful substances that lie
+within fifteen or twenty miles of the surface; and many are thus probably
+brought to light from a greater depth. He is indebted, then, to this
+disturbing agency for nearly all the useful metals, coal, rock salt,
+marble, gypsum, and other useful minerals; and when we consider how
+necessary these substances are to civilized society, who will doubt that
+it was a striking act of benevolence which thus introduced disturbance,
+dislocation, and apparent ruin into the earth&#8217;s crust?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>Another decided advantage resulting from this disturbing agency is the
+formation of valleys.</p>
+
+<p>If we suppose the strata spread uniformly over the earth&#8217;s entire surface,
+then the ocean must envelop the whole globe. But, admitting such
+interruptions in the strata to exist as would leave cavities, where the
+waters might be gathered together into one place, and the dry land appear,
+still that dry land must form only an unbroken level. Streams of water
+could not exist on such a continent, because they depend upon inequalities
+of surface; and whatever water existed must have formed only stagnant
+ponds, and the morasses which would be the consequence would load the air
+with miasms fatal to life; so that we may safely pronounce the world
+uninhabitable by natures adapted to the present earth. But such,
+essentially, must have been the state of things, had not internal forces
+elevated and fractured the earth&#8217;s crust. For that was the origin of most
+of our valleys&mdash;of all the larger valleys, indeed, which checker the
+surface of primary countries. Most of them have been modified by
+subsequent agencies; but their leading features, their outlines, have been
+the result of those internal disturbances which spread desolation over the
+surface. We are apt to look upon such an agency as an exhibition of
+retributive justice, rather than of benevolence. And yet that admirable
+system for the circulation of water, whereby the rain that falls upon the
+surface is conveyed to the ocean, whence it is returned by evaporation,
+depends upon it. It imparts, to all organic nature, life, health, and
+activity; and had it not thus ridged up the surface, stagnation and death
+must have reigned over all the earth. In the unhealthiness of low, flat
+countries, at present, we see the terrible condition of things in a world
+without valleys. Can we doubt, then, that it was the hand of benevolence
+that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> drove the ploughshare of ruin through the earth&#8217;s crust, and ridged
+up its surface into a thousand fantastic forms?</p>
+
+<p>It will more deeply impress us with this benevolence to remember that most
+of the sublime and the beautiful in the scenery of a country depends upon
+this disturbing agency. Beautiful as vegetable nature is, how tame is a
+landscape where only a dead level is covered with it, and no swelling
+hills, or jutting rocks, or murmuring waters, relieve the monotonous
+scene! And how does the interest increase with the wildness and ruggedness
+of the surface, and reach its maximum only where the disturbance and
+dislocation have been most violent!</p>
+
+<p>Some may, perhaps, doubt whether it can have been one of the objects of
+divine benevolence and wisdom, in arranging the surface of this world, so
+to construct and adorn it as to gratify a taste for fine scenery. But I
+cannot doubt it. I see not else why nature every where is fitted up in a
+lavish manner with all the elements of the sublime and beautiful, nor why
+there are powers in the human soul so intensely gratified in contact with
+those elements, unless they were expressly adapted for one another by the
+Creator. Surely natural scenery does afford to the unsophisticated soul
+one of the richest and purest sources of enjoyment to be found on earth.
+If this be doubted by any one, it must be because he has never been placed
+in circumstances to call into exercise his natural love of the beautiful
+and the sublime in creation. Let me persuade such a one, at least in
+imagination, to break away from the slavish routine of business or
+pleasure, and in the height of balmy summer to accompany me to a few
+spots, where his soul will swell with new and strong emotions, if his
+natural sensibilities to the grand and beautiful have not become
+thoroughly dead within him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>We might profitably pause for a moment at this enchanting season of the
+year, (June,) and look abroad from that gentle elevation on which we
+dwell, now all mantled over with a flowery carpet, wafting its balmy odors
+into our studies. Can any thing be more delightful than the waving
+forests, with their dense and deep green foliage, interspersed with grassy
+and sunny fields and murmuring streamlets, which spread all around us? How
+rich the graceful slopes of yonder distant mountains, which bound the
+Connecticut on either side! How imposing Mount Sugar Loaf on the north,
+with its red-belted and green-tufted crown, and Mettawampe too, with its
+rocky terraces on the one side, and its broad slopes of unbroken forest on
+the other! Especially, how beautifully and even majestically does the
+indented summit of Mount Holyoke repose against the summer sky! What
+sunrises and sunsets do we here witness, and what a multitude of
+permutations and combinations pass before us during the day, as we watch
+from hour to hour one of the loveliest landscapes of New England!</p>
+
+<p>Let us now turn our steps to that huge pile of mountains called the White
+Hills of New Hampshire. We will approach them through the valley of the
+Saco River, and at the distance of thirty miles they will be seen looming
+up in the horizon, with the clouds reposing beneath their naked heads. As
+the observer approaches them, the sides of the valley will gradually close
+in upon him, and rise higher and higher, until he will find their naked
+granitic summits almost jutting over his path, to the height of several
+thousand feet, seeming to form the very battlements of heaven. Now and
+then will he see the cataract leaping hundreds of feet down their sides,
+and the naked path of some recent landslip, which carried death and
+desolation in its track. From this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> deep and wild chasm he will at length
+emerge, and climb the vast ridge, until he has seen the forest trees
+dwindle, and at length disappear; and standing upon the naked summit,
+immensity seems stretched out before him. But he has not yet reached the
+highest point; and far in the distance, and far above him, Mount
+Washington seems to repose in awful majesty against the heavens. Turning
+his course thither, he follows the narrow and naked ridge over one peak
+after another, first rising upon Mount Pleasant, then Mount Franklin, and
+then Mount Monroe, each lifting him higher, and making the sea of
+mountains around him more wide and billowy, and the yawning gulfs on
+either side more profound and awful, so that every moment his interest
+deepens, and reaches not its climax till he stands upon Mount Washington,
+when the vast panorama is completed, and the world seems spread out at his
+feet. Yet it does not seem to be a peopled world, for no mighty city lies
+beneath him. Indeed, were it there, he would pass it almost unnoticed. For
+why should he regard so small an object as a city, when the world is
+before him?&mdash;a world of mountains, bearing the impress of God&#8217;s own hand,
+standing in solitary grandeur, just as he piled them up in primeval ages,
+and stretching away on every side as far as the eye can reach. On that
+pinnacle of the northern regions no sound of man or beast breaks in upon
+the awful stillness which reigns there, and which seems to bring the soul
+into near communion with the Deity. It is, indeed, the impressive Sabbath
+of nature; and the soul feels a delightful awe, which can never be
+forgotten. Gladly would it linger there for hours, and converse with the
+mighty and the holy thoughts which come crowding into it; and it is only
+when the man looks at the rapidly declining sun that he is roused from his
+revery and commences his descending march.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>Let such a man next accompany me to Niagara. We will pass by all minor
+cataracts, and place ourselves at once on the margin of one that knows no
+rival. Let not the man take a hasty glance, and in disappointment conclude
+that he shall find no interest and no sublimity there. Let him go to the
+edge of the precipice, and watch the deep waters as they roll over, and,
+changing their sea-green brightness for a fleecy white, pour down upon the
+rocks beneath, and dash back again in spray high in the air. Let him go to
+the foot of the sheet, and look upward till the cataract swells into its
+proper size. Let him, on the Canada shore, take in the whole breadth of
+the cataract at once; and as he stands musing, let him listen to the deep
+thunderings of the falling sheet. Let him go to Table Rock, and creep
+forward to its jutting edge, and gaze steadily into the foaming and
+eddying waters so far beneath him, until his nerves thrill and vibrate,
+and he involuntarily shrinks back, exclaiming,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 8em;">&#8220;How dreadful</span><br />
+And dizzy &#8217;tis to cast one&#8217;s eyes so low!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;">I&#8217;ll look no more,</span><br />
+Lest my brain turn.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Next, let him stand upon that rock till the sun approaches so near the
+western horizon that a glorious bow, forming an almost entire circle on
+the cataract and the spray, shall clothe the scene with unearthly beauty,
+and, in connection with the emerald green of the waters, give it a
+brilliancy fully equal to its sublimity. And finally, if he would add the
+emotions of moral to natural sublimity, let him follow to Ontario, the
+deep gulf through which all these waters flow, and, gathering up the
+evidence, which he will find too strong to resist, that they themselves
+have worn that gulf backward seven miles, let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> him try the rules of
+geological arithmetic to see if he can reach the period of its
+commencement. Surely, when he reviews the emotions of that day, he will
+never again doubt that the magnificent scenery of our world is the result
+of benevolent design on the part of the Creator.</p>
+
+<p>If, now, we cross the Atlantic, we shall easily find scenes of natural
+beauty and sublimity, that have long elicited the wonder and delight of
+thousands of genuine taste. Shall we turn our steps first to the valleys
+and mountains of Wales? To an American eye, indeed, they lack one
+important feature, in being so destitute of trees. But then their wild
+aspect, their ragged and rocky outlines, present a picture of the
+sublimity of desolation rarely equalled. And as you ascend the
+mountains,&mdash;Snowdon, for instance, the highest of them all,&mdash;you find
+their summits, not rounded, as our American mountains, by former drift
+agency, nor forming continuous ridges, but shooting up in ragged peaks and
+edges, as if they formed the teeth of mother earth; although, in fact, it
+was the tooth of time that has gnawed them into their present forms. As
+you approach the summit, you feel animated in anticipation of the splendid
+prospect about to open upon you. But the clouds begin to gather, and soon
+envelop the mountain top; and though you reach the pinnacle, the dense
+mist limits your vision to a circle of a few rods in diameter. But ere
+long the vapor begins to break away, and the lofty cliffs and deep caverns
+around you are revealed. Now and then, the lake, so often found in the
+recesses of these mountains, is half seen through the opening cloud, and,
+magnified by the obscurity, it seems more distant and grand than if
+distinctly visible. Gradually the clouds open in various directions,
+disclosing gulf after gulf, lake after lake, mountain after mountain, and,
+finally, the Irish Channel, dotted with sails; and the whole scene lies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>
+spread out before you in glories that cannot be described. You are
+standing upon the pinnacle of England, and you feel as if almost the whole
+of it lay within the circle of vision. After enjoying so splendid a scene,
+you are thankful that the cloud hid it at first from your sight, and so
+much enhanced your pleasure by opening vista after vista, till the whole
+became one magnificent circle of picturesque beauty and sublimity.<small><a name="f14.1" id="f14.1" href="#f14">[14]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>To relieve the mind after gazing long on such scenes of rugged grandeur,
+let us turn our course southerly, and follow down the romantic banks of
+the Wye, where every turn presents some new beauties, occasionally
+disclosing the ruins of some old castle, or magnificent abbey, (Tinton,)
+and at length Bristol, with its aristocratic adjunct, Clifton, turns your
+thoughts from the works of nature to those of man. And yet, even Clifton&#8217;s
+elegant Crescent is but a meagre show by the side of the magnificent gorge
+which the Avon has cut in the rocks just before it enters Bristol Channel.</p>
+
+<p>Passing over to the Isle of Wight, and traversing its shores, we shall
+witness many unique examples of natural beauty, swelling sometimes into
+sublimity,&mdash;such are the chalk cliffs near its western extremity, from two
+hundred to six hundred feet high,&mdash;sometimes hollowed out into magnificent
+domes, and the pillars of chalk, called <i>Needles</i>, in the midst of the
+sea, alive with sea gulls and cormorants, and forming the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> remnants of the
+chalk bridge that once united the island to England. There, too, Alum Bay,
+with its many-colored strata of clay, unites the interesting in geology
+with the picturesque in scenery.</p>
+
+<p>Along the southern coast, also, are the stupendous cliffs and the romantic
+under-cliffs, as well as the ragged <i>chines</i>, where an almost tropical
+climate attracts the invalid, while the cool sea breezes draw thither the
+wealthy and the fashionable.</p>
+
+<p>But if sublime scenery pleases us more, we must traverse the Highlands of
+Scotland,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Land of brown heath and shaggy furze,&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>land of lofty and naked mountains, embosoming lakes of great beauty, and
+full of historic and poetic interest.</p>
+
+<p>Passing over Loch Lomond, the queen of Scottish lakes, you go through the
+long shadow of Ben Lomond, propped by many lesser mountains. Rising into
+the Highlands, the sterility and wildness increase, and reach their
+maximum in Glencoe, whose wildness and sublimity are indeed indescribable;
+but if seen, they can never be forgotten. Still farther north, Ben Nevis
+lifts its uncovered head above all other mountains in the British Isles;
+so high, indeed, that often, during the whole summer, it retains a portion
+of its snowy, wintry mantle.</p>
+
+
+<p>Yet farther north, we come to the unique terraces, called the <i>Parallel
+Roads of Glen Roy</i>, formerly supposed to be the work of giants; but now,
+that they are known to be the product of nature, proving not only objects
+of great scenographical interest, but a problem of special importance and
+difficulty in geology.</p>
+
+<p>If we should pass from Scotland to the north-east part of Ireland, taking
+Staffa in our way, we should find in the basaltic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> columns of Fingal&#8217;s
+Cave, and the Giant&#8217;s Causeway, what seems, at first view, to be
+stupendous human structures, or rather the architecture of giants. But you
+soon find it to be only an example&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Where nature works as if defying art,<br />
+And, in defiance of her rival powers,<br />
+By these fortuitous and random strokes,<br />
+Performing such inimitable feats,<br />
+As she, with all her rules, can never reach.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Let any one sail along the coast for a few miles at the Giant&#8217;s Causeway,
+enter some of the deep and echoing caverns, overhung by the basaltic mass,
+and see the columns rising tier above tier, sometimes four hundred feet in
+height, and assuming every wild and fantastic shape; or let him walk over
+the acres of columns, whose tops are as perfectly polygonal and as
+accurately fitted to one another as the most skilful architect could make
+them, and he will confess how superior Nature is, when she would present a
+model for human imitation; and how with accurate system she can combine
+the wildest disorder, and thus delight by symmetry, while she awes by
+sublimity.</p>
+
+<p>Let us next pass over to continental Europe. We have reached the Rhine at
+Bonn, and the steamboat takes us at once into the midst of the romantic
+Drachenfels, or seven mountains, the result of volcanic agency, and still
+presenting more or less of the conical outline peculiar almost to modern
+volcanoes. These are the commencement of the romantic scenery of the
+Rhine. From thence to Bingen, some sixty or seventy miles, that river has
+cut its way through hills and mountains, sometimes rising one thousand
+feet. Along their base, the inhabitants have planted many a well-known
+town, while old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> castles, half crumbled down, recall continually the
+history of feudal ages; and here, too, springs up a multitude of
+remembrances of startling events in more recent times. The mind, indeed,
+finds itself drawn at one moment to some historical monument, and the next
+to scenery of surpassing beauty or sublimity; now the bold, overhanging
+rock, now the deep recess, now the towering mountain, now the quiet dell
+with its romantic villages; while every where on the north bank, the
+vine-clad terraces show us what wonders human industry can accomplish.</p>
+
+<p>Nor does the Rhine lose its interest when we have emerged from its <i>Ghor</i>
+into its more open valley, from Bingen to Basle, in Switzerland. On its
+right bank, the Vosges Mountains, and on its left, the Black Forest, with
+not infrequent volcanic summits, afford a fine resting-place for the eye,
+as the rail car bears us rapidly over the rich intervening level. Or if we
+turn aside,&mdash;as to Heidelberg, on the Neckar,&mdash;what can be a more splendid
+sight than to stand by the old castle above the town, and look down the
+valley as the sun is sinking in the west!</p>
+
+<p>But after all, it is in Switzerland, and there only, that we meet with the
+climax of scenographical wonders. Nowhere else can we find such lakes in
+the midst of such mountains; such pleasant valleys bordered by such
+stupendous hills; such gorges, and precipices, and passes, and especially
+such glaciers; such avalanches, such snow-capped mountains, while
+vegetation at their base, and far up their sides, is fresh and luxuriant.</p>
+
+<p>Embark, for instance, at Zurich, and, crossing its beautiful lake, direct
+your course towards Mount Righi. As the heavy diligence lifts you above
+the lake, you begin to catch glimpses of the grandeur of the Swiss
+mountains to the south, piercing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> the clouds far off. Passing the romantic
+Zug, you come to the valley between the Rossberg and the Righi, and the
+denuded face of the former tells you whence came the mass of ruins over
+which you clamber, and which buried the villages of Goldau, Bussingen, and
+Rothen several hundred feet deep with blocks of stone and soil. Long and
+steep is your ascent of Righi, nearly six thousand feet above the sea. But
+the views you obtain by the way become wider and grander at every step.
+Reaching the summit near sunset, you may be gratified by a panoramic view
+of a large part of Switzerland, embracing its wildest and grandest
+scenery. Yet, if the clouds prevent, you wait for the morning, in the hope
+of being more fortunate. With the earliest dawn you awake, and proceed to
+the summit of the mountain, where hundreds, perhaps, from all civilized
+lands, are congregated, to witness the rising of the sun. But a dense
+cloud envelops the mountain, and hope almost dies within you. Wait,
+however, a few moments, and the rising sun will depress the clouds below
+the mountain&#8217;s summit, and a scene of glory shall open upon you, which can
+never be erased from your memory. Look now, for the sun&#8217;s first rays have
+shed a flood of glory over the clouds which now fill the valleys beneath
+your feet. A fleecy white predominates; but the colors of the prism tinge
+the edges of the clouds, and no part of the solid earth rises above them,
+save the pinnacle on which you stand, and to the south the higher peaks of
+the Bernese Alps,&mdash;the Jungfrau, the Eiger, the Shreckhorn, and the
+Wetterhorn,&mdash;covered with snow and glaciers, and seeming too pure to
+belong to earth. Indeed, the whole scene seemed to me to be unearthly; the
+fittest emblem that my eyes ever rested upon of celestial scenes; and one
+cannot repress the desire, when looking upon it, to be borne away on wings
+over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> glorious scene, and to repose for a time upon the gorgeous bed,
+forgetful of the lower world. Yet when, at length, the clouds begin to
+break away, and disclose the deep valleys and blue lakes,&mdash;places made
+immortal by the deeds of such patriots and reformers as Tell and
+Zuinglius,&mdash;we feel again the attractions of earth; and as we descend to
+Lake Lucerne, we have before us such scenery as scarcely any other part of
+the world can furnish. And these scenes continue, in ever-changing
+aspects, wherever we wander along this enchanting lake; and though the
+exhausted brain fails at length, the objects of interest do not.</p>
+
+<p>From this lake we might turn our course easterly, and soon find ourselves
+amid the glacial regions of the Oberland Alps&mdash;scenes full of deep and
+thrilling interest. But let us rather turn southerly, and, following down
+the great valley of Switzerland, find our way among the Alps of Savoy,
+where the same phenomena attain their maximum of interest and sublimity,
+and the great monarch of the Alps is seen, wearing his hoary crown. As we
+pass along towards Lake Lehman, if the air be clear, the Bernese Alps loom
+up in unrivalled majesty; and as we sail over Lake Lehman, Mont Blanc,
+with some of its nearly equal associates, shows its distant yet impressive
+form. Passing without notice the almost unrivalled beauties of Lehman, and
+following up the Arve through its stupendous gorges, we catch views of
+Mont Blanc, as we approach it, that possess overpowering sublimity. At
+length, Chamouny is reached&mdash;a lovely vale in the midst of Alpine wonders.
+From thence we first ascend the Fleg&egrave;re, thirty-five hundred feet above
+the valley, and sixty-five hundred above the ocean; and there we get a
+fine view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles, or Needles. Here distances are
+vastly diminished to the eye, and you seem in near proximity even with
+Mont<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> Blanc; and, in fact, should any adventurous visitors have reached
+the top of that mountain, a good spy-glass will show them from this
+spot.<small><a name="f15.1" id="f15.1" href="#f15">[15]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>On the opposite side of the valley from the Fleg&egrave;re, and at about the same
+height, is Montanvert, the most convenient spot for traversing the glacier
+called the Mer de Glace. If, however, one would see the lower extremity of
+that glacier, and the Arveron issuing from it, he must pass along the
+right hand side of the stream, and then he can follow up the glacier to
+Montanvert; and strange would it be if, in doing this, he should not hear
+and see the frequent avalanche.</p>
+
+<p>We have now reached the field where everlasting war is carried on between
+heat and cold, summer and winter. Below us, verdure clothes the valleys,
+and climbs up the slopes of the hills; and there the shepherd watches his
+flocks. Above us there are fields of ice stretching many a league, save
+where some needle-shaped summit of naked rock, too steep for snow to rest
+upon, shoots up in lonely grandeur thousands of feet, and defies the
+raging elements. From these oceans of ice shoot forth down the valleys
+enormous glaciers, appearing like vast rivers of ice, winding among the
+hills, and pushing, at the rate of a few inches each day, far into
+regions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> of vegetation; one year encroaching upon the shepherd&#8217;s pasture
+ground, and anon, by the access of heat, driven back towards the summit;
+hurling down, from time to time, as they push forward, the thundering
+avalanche.</p>
+
+<p>Without difficulty at Montanvert we can enter upon the glacier, and in
+spite of the deep <i>crevasse</i>, and the elemental war, which always rages in
+those lofty regions, we may make our way to their source. Nay, human feet,
+as already suggested, have pressed even the top of Mont Blanc; and should
+we reach this summit of the Alps, we should stand upon the loftiest point
+of Europe, and behold a scene which but few eyes ever have, or ever will,
+rest upon. We should</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 12em;">&#8220;breathe</span><br />
+The difficult air of the iced mountain&#8217;s top,<br />
+Where the birds dare not build, nor insect&#8217;s wing<br />
+Flit o&#8217;er the herbless granite.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>We should, in fact, have reached the climax of the sublime in natural
+scenery.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far I have described, almost without exception, only what I have
+seen. But let us now venture into regions where we have only the
+description of others to guide us. Let us enter the region of ancient
+Armenia, a country composed of wide plains, bounded and intersected by
+precipitous mountains. As we journeyed south-easterly over one of these
+plains, a remarkable conical summit would arrest our attention, at the
+distance of sixty miles. Day after day, as we approached, it would creep
+up higher and higher above the horizon, developing its commanding
+features, and rivetting more intensely the attention upon it. As we came
+near its base, we should see that its top rose far into the region of
+eternal ice, whose glassy surface would reflect the light like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> a mirror,
+and whose lower edge had shot forth enormous glaciers as far as the heat
+would allow them to descend. In the plain below, we should be sweltering
+in a tropical heat; but the same sun that melted us would make no
+impression upon the wintry crown of the mountain. We could not keep our
+eyes or thoughts turned away from an object so sublime. And it would
+deepen the impression to learn that this gigantic cone, shooting up three
+and a half miles, was once a volcano; and still more would it deepen our
+interest to learn that this is the mountain which universal tradition in
+that region regards as the Mount Ararat, the resting-place of the ark. It
+would strike us forcibly to realize that what seems to us now to be a
+pillar of heaven, was the patriarch&#8217;s stepping-stone from the antediluvian
+into the postdiluvian world.</p>
+
+<p>One more example may suffice. Go with me to the Sandwich Islands, and we
+shall get an impressive glimpse of the principal agency by which the
+earth&#8217;s crust has been ridged, furrowed, and dislocated. As we land upon
+Hawaii, we perceive it to be composed mainly of lava of no very ancient
+date. We ascend a lofty <i>plateau</i>, and many a league in advance of us we
+see a column of smoke rising from a vast plain. Directing our course
+thither, while yet some miles from it, we descend a steep slope to a broad
+terrace, and then another slope to a second terrace. These slopes and
+terraces extend circularly around the pillar of smoke like the seats of a
+vast amphitheatre.</p>
+
+<p>Coming near to this column, our steps are arrested on the margin of a vast
+gulf, fifteen hundred feet deep, and from eight to ten miles in
+circumference, whose bottom is the seat of the most remarkable volcano on
+the globe;&mdash;I mean Kilauea. Wait here till night closes around us, and we
+shall witness a scene of awful sublimity. Over the immense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> area of that
+gulf will the volcanic agency beneath be exerted. Ever and anon, and
+mingling in strange discord, will hissings and groanings, mutterings and
+thunderings, be heard rolling from side to side, and making the earth
+tremble around. Then from one and another volcanic cone&mdash;perhaps from
+fifty&mdash;will the glowing lava burst forth; red-hot stones will be driven
+furiously upward; vapor, and smoke, and flames will be poured out, and the
+dark and jagged sides of that vast furnace will glow with unearthly
+splendor; and here and there will lakes of liquid lava appear, one or two
+miles in extent, heaving up their billows, and dashing their fiery spray
+high into the air. O, there is not on earth a livelier emblem of the world
+of despair; and yet we know it is not the lake which burneth with fire and
+brimstone, nor the abode of lost spirits. We know it to be only one of the
+safety-valves of our globe, and an exhibition of that mighty agency within
+the globe which has heaved and dislocated its crust; and, therefore, as we
+gaze upon the scene, and forget our fatigue and sleep, we experience only
+the emotions of awful sublimity, which can hardly fail to rise into
+adoration of that infinite Being who can say, even to this agency, Thus
+far shalt thou go, and no farther.</p>
+
+<p>These are samples only of those delightful emotions which he experiences,
+who possesses a taste for natural scenery. And kindred emotions will be
+awakened within him, wherever he wanders among the works of God. They form
+some of the purest and most satisfying pleasures which this world affords.
+They constitute pleasant oases along the dreary journey of life; and so
+deeply does memory engrave them on her tablet, that no change of time or
+circumstances can hide them from our view. Now, it is obvious that if the
+Author of nature and of the human soul had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> been malevolent, instead of
+making every thing which man meets in creation &#8220;beauty to his eye, and
+music to his ear,&#8221; he would have made all offensive and painful. Instead
+of the delightful emotions of beauty and sublimity which now rise within
+us as we open our eyes upon nature, feelings of aversion and fear would
+haunt us. Every sound would have been discordant, and every sight
+terrific. He could not have been even indifferent to our happiness, when
+he commissioned those desolating agencies of nature, fire and water, to
+ridge up and furrow out the earth&#8217;s surface as the groundwork of the
+future landscape. For he has taken care that the result should be a scene
+productive of pleasure only to the soul that is in a healthy state.
+Benevolence only, infinite benevolence, could have done this.</p>
+
+<p><i>My third argument in favor of the divine benevolence is founded on the
+arrangements for the distribution of water on the globe.</i></p>
+
+<p>We should expect on so uneven a surface as the earth presents, that this
+element, which forms the liquid nourishment of all organic life, and which
+in many other ways seems indispensable, must be very unequally
+distributed, and fail entirely in many places; and yet we find it in
+almost every spot where man erects his habitation. And those places where
+there is a deficiency are usually extended plains; not, as we should
+expect, the mountainous regions. The latter are usually well watered; and
+this is accomplished in three ways. In the first place, in most
+mountainous countries, the strata are so much tilted up, as to prevent the
+water from running off. In the second place, the pervious strata are
+frequently interrupted by faults sometimes filled by impervious matter. In
+the third place, the comminuted materials that cover the rocks as soils,
+are often so fine, or of such a nature, as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> prevent the passage of
+water; and thus much of the water that falls upon elevated land remains
+there, while enough percolates through the pervious materials to water the
+valleys and supply the streams. These carry it to the lakes and the ocean,
+where it is returned by evaporation in the form of clouds, and thus an
+admirable system of circulation is kept up, whereby this essential element
+is purified, and conveyed to every part of the surface where man or beast
+require it.</p>
+
+<p>There is one recent discovery, which deserves notice here, because it
+depends upon the geological structure of the earth. When pervious and
+impervious strata alternate, and are considerably inclined, water may be
+brought from great depths by hydrostatic pressure, if the impervious
+stratum be bored through and the water-bearing deposit be reached. A
+perpetual fountain may thus be produced, and water be obtained in a region
+naturally deficient in it. An Artesian fountain of this description, in
+the suburbs of Paris, has been brought from the enormous depth of eighteen
+hundred feet!<small><a name="f16.1" id="f16.1" href="#f16">[16]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>Now, just consider that to deprive the earth of water is to deprive it of
+inhabitants, and you cannot but see in the means by which it is so widely,
+nay, almost universally, diffused, and made to circulate for
+purification,&mdash;the most decided marks of divine benevolence. Why is it not
+as striking as the curious means by which the blood and the sap of animals
+and plants are sent to every part of the system to supply its waste, and
+give it greater development?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span><i>I derive a fourth geological argument for the benevolence of the Deity,
+from the manner in which the metallic ores are distributed through the
+earth&#8217;s crust.</i></p>
+
+<p>It can hardly be doubted, by the geologist, that nearly every part of the
+earth&#8217;s crust, and its interior too, have been some time or other in a
+melted state. Now, as the metals and their ores are usually heavier than
+other rocks, we should expect that they would have accumulated at the
+centre of the globe, and have been enveloped by the rocks so as to have
+been forever inaccessible to man. And the very great weight of the central
+parts of the earth&mdash;almost twice that of granite&mdash;leads naturally to the
+conclusion that the heavier metals may be accumulated there, though this
+is by no means a certain conclusion; since at the depth of thirty-four
+miles air would be so condensed by the pressure of the superincumbent mass
+as to be as heavy as water; water at the depth of three hundred and
+sixty-two miles would become as heavy as quick-silver; and at the centre
+steel would be compressed into one fourth, and stone into one eighth, of
+its bulk at the surface. Still it is most probable that the materials
+naturally the heaviest would first seek the centre. And yet, by means of
+sublimation, and expansion by internal heat, or the segregating power of
+galvanic action, or of some other agents, enough of the metals is
+protruded towards the surface, and diffused through the rocks in beds, or
+veins, so as to be accessible to human industry. Here, then, we find
+divine benevolence, apparently in opposition to gravity, providing for
+human comfort.</p>
+
+<p>I have said that these metals were accessible to human industry. And it
+does require a great deal of labor, and calls into exercise man&#8217;s highest
+ingenuity to obtain them. They might have been spread in immense masses
+over the surface;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> they might all have been reduced to a metallic state in
+the great furnace, which we have reason to suppose is always in blast,
+within the earth. But then there would have been no requisition upon the
+exertion and energy of man. And to have these called into exercise is an
+object of greater importance to society than to supply it with the metals.
+God, therefore, has so distributed the ores as to stimulate man to explore
+and reduce them, while he has placed so many difficulties in the way as to
+demand much mental and physical effort for their removal. Man now,
+therefore, receives a double benefit. While the metals themselves are of
+immense service, the discipline of body and mind requisite for obtaining
+them is of still greater value. This is the combined result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>If I mistake not, there is such a relation between the amount of useful
+metals and the wants of society as could have resulted only from divine
+benevolence. The metal most widely diffused, and the only one occurring in
+all the rock formations, from the oldest to the newest, is iron;&mdash;the
+metal by far the most important to civilized society. This is also by far
+the most abundant, and easily obtained. It often forms extensive beds, or
+even mountain masses upon the surface. All the other metals are confined
+almost exclusively to the older rocks. Among them, lead, copper, and zinc
+are probably most needed, and accordingly they are next in quantity and in
+the facility with which they may be explored. Manganese, mercury, chrome,
+antimony, cobalt, arsenic, and bismuth are more difficult to obtain; but
+the supply is always equal to the demand. In the case of tin, silver,
+platinum, and gold, we find some interesting properties to compensate in a
+great measure for their scarcity. Gold and platinum possess a remarkable
+power of resisting those powerful agents of chemical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> change which destroy
+every thing else. They are never oxidized in the earth, and with a very
+few exceptions, the most powerful reagents leave them untouched, while
+platinum will not yield in the most powerful heat of the furnace. Gold,
+silver, and tin are capable of an astonishing extension, whereby they may
+be spread over the surface of the more abundant metals to protect and
+adorn them; and since the discovery of the galvanic mode of accomplishing
+this, so easily is it done, that I know not but a gold or silver surface
+is to become as common as metallic articles.</p>
+
+<p><i>My fifth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the joint and desolating effects of ice and water upon the earth&#8217;s
+surface, both before and after man&#8217;s creation.</i></p>
+
+<p>In northern countries, and perhaps in high southern latitudes, it seems
+that after the deposition of the tertiary rocks, and after the surface had
+assumed essentially its present shape, it was subjected for a long time to
+a powerful agency, whereby the rough and salient parts were worn down and
+rounded, the rocks in place smoothed and furrowed, valleys scooped out,
+huge blocks of stone transported far from the parent bed, piled up, and
+thick accumulations of bowlders, sand, and gravel, strewn promiscuously
+over the surface. At the commencement of this process, the ocean, probably
+loaded with ice, stood above a large part of the present continents. It
+soon began to subside, or the land to rise, and a more quiet action
+succeeded. The joint action of the ocean and the glaciers on the land
+ground down into sand, clay, and loam, the coarser drift, and sorted it in
+the form of beaches, terraces, and alluvial deposits. All this while, both
+the land and the water seem to have been, for the most part, destitute of
+inhabitants. But these were the very processes needed for man and his
+contemporary races, who were to appear during the latter part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> of the
+pleistocene period. In other words, the soils were thus got ready for
+nourishing the vegetation necessary to sustain the new creation, which
+would convert these desolate and deserted sea-beds into regions of
+fertility and happiness to teeming millions.</p>
+
+<p>Now, just consider what must have been the effect of these mighty aqueous
+and glacial agencies upon the earth&#8217;s surface. Over the level regions they
+strewed the finer materials; and where the rocks had been thrown up into
+ridges and displaced by numerous fissures, or subsequently worn into
+bluffs and precipices by the ocean, it needed just such an agency to
+smooth down those irregularities, to fill up those gulfs, to give to the
+hills and valleys a graceful outline, and to cover all the surface with
+those comminuted materials that would need only cultivation to make them a
+fertile soil. Some rocks do, indeed, decompose and form soils; but this
+process would be too slow, unless in moist and warm regions, where it is
+easier to find a footing for plants than in climes more uncongenial to
+their growth. We cannot then hesitate to regard this tremendous agency of
+ice and water in northern and high southern regions as decidedly
+beneficial in its influence. It must, indeed, have spread terrible
+destruction over those regions. But it seems that a time was chosen for
+its operation when the globe was almost destitute of organic life, and not
+long before the time when a new and nobler creation than those previously
+occupying the earth was to be placed upon it. Desolating as this agency
+must have appeared, and actually was, at the time, yet who can doubt, when
+we see the ultimate fruits of it, that its origin was divine benevolence?</p>
+
+<p>In the ultimate results of aqueous inundations at the present day, we can
+trace the same benevolent design. Those floods do, indeed, produce partial
+evils; nay, life, as well as property,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> often falls a prey to them. But
+they produce those alluvial soils which are more prolific of vegetation
+than any other on the globe. Who has not heard of the fertility of the
+banks of the Nile, the Niger, the Ganges, the Amazon, and the Mississippi?
+all of them the fruit of inundations. Truly, such floods as these may be
+said <i>to clap their hands</i> in praise of the divine goodness.</p>
+
+<p><i>My sixth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the existence of volcanoes.</i></p>
+
+<p>The first impression made on the mind by the history of volcanic action
+is, that its effects are examples rather of vindictive justice than of
+benevolence. And such is the light in which they are regarded by Mr.
+Gisborne, an able English divine, in his &#8220;Testimony of Natural to Revealed
+Religion.&#8221; He looks, indeed, upon all the disturbances that have taken
+place in the earth&#8217;s crust as evidence of a fallen condition of the world,
+as mementoes of a former penal infliction upon a guilty race. And aside
+from the light which geology casts upon the subject, this would be a not
+improbable conclusion. Take for an example the case of volcanoes and
+earthquakes.</p>
+
+<p>A volcano is an opening made in the earth&#8217;s crust by internal heat, which
+has forced melted or heated matter through the vent. An earthquake is the
+effect of the confined gases and vapors, produced by the heat upon the
+crust. When the volcano, therefore, gets vent, the earthquake always
+ceases. But the latter has generally been more destructive of life and
+property than the former. Where one city has been destroyed by lava, like
+Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Stabi&aelig;, twenty have been shaken down by the
+rocking and heaving of earthquakes. The records of ancient as well as
+modern times abound with examples of these tremendous catastrophes.
+Pre&euml;minent on the list is the city of Antioch. Imagine the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> inhabitants of
+that great city, crowded with strangers on a festival occasion, suddenly
+arrested on a calm day, by the earth heaving and rocking beneath their
+feet; and in a few moments two hundred and fifty thousand of them are
+buried by falling houses, or the earth opening and swallowing them up.
+Such was the scene which that city presented in the year 526; and several
+times before and since that period has the like calamity fallen upon it;
+and twenty, forty, and sixty thousand of its inhabitants have been
+destroyed at each time. In the year 17 after Christ, no less than thirteen
+cities of Asia Minor were in like manner overwhelmed in a single night.
+Think of the terrible destruction that came upon Lisbon in 1755. The sun
+had just dissipated the fog in a warm, calm morning, when suddenly the
+subterranean thundering and heaving began; and in six minutes the city was
+a heap of ruins, and sixty thousand of the inhabitants were numbered among
+the dead. Hundreds had crowded upon a new quay surrounded by vessels. In a
+moment the earth opened beneath them, and the wharf, the vessels, and the
+crowd went down into its bosom; the gulf closed, the sea rolled over the
+spot, and no vestige of wharf, vessels, or man ever floated to the
+surface. How thrilling is the account left us by Kircher, who was near, of
+the destruction of Euphemia, in Calabria, a city of about five thousand
+inhabitants, in the year 1638! &#8220;After some time,&#8221; says he, &#8220;the violent
+paroxysm of the earthquake ceasing, I stood up, and, turning my eyes to
+look for Euphemia, saw only a frightful black cloud. We waited till it had
+passed away, when nothing but a dismal and putrid lake was to be seen
+where the city once stood.&#8221; In like manner did Port Royal, in the West
+Indies, sink beneath the waters, with nearly all its inhabitants, in less
+than one minute, in the year 1692.</p>
+
+<p>Still more awful, though usually less destructive, is often<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> the scene
+presented by a volcanic eruption. Imagine yourselves, for instance, upon
+one of the wide, elevated plains of Mexico, far from the fear of
+volcanoes. The earth begins to quake under your feet, and the most
+alarming subterranean noises admonish you of a mighty power within the
+earth that must soon have vent. You flee to the surrounding mountains in
+time to look back and see ten square miles of the plain swell up, like a
+bladder, to the height of five hundred feet, while numerous smaller cones
+rise from the surface still higher, and emit smoke; and in their midst,
+six mountains are thrown up to the height, some of them at least, of
+sixteen hundred feet, and pour forth melted lava, turning rivers out of
+their course, and spreading terrific desolation over a late fertile plain,
+and forever excluding its former inhabitants. Such was the eruption, by
+which Jorullo, in Mexico, was suddenly thrown up, in 1759.</p>
+
+<p>Still more terrific have been some of the eruptions in Iceland. In 1783,
+earthquakes of tremendous power shook the whole island, and flames burst
+forth from the ocean. In June these ceased, and Skaptar Jokul opened its
+mouth; nor did it close till it had poured forth two streams of lava, one
+sixty miles long, twelve miles broad, and the other forty miles long, and
+seven broad, and both with an average thickness of one hundred feet.
+During that summer the inhabitants saw the sun no more, and all Europe was
+covered with a haze.</p>
+
+<p>Around the Papandayang, one of the loftiest mountains in Java, no less
+than forty villages were reposing in peace. But in August, 1772, a
+remarkable luminous cloud enveloping its top aroused them from their
+security. But it was too late. For at once the mountain began to sink into
+the earth, and soon it had disappeared with the forty villages, and most
+of the inhabitants, over a space fifteen miles long and six broad.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>Still more extraordinary&mdash;the most remarkable on record&mdash;was an eruption
+in Sumbawa, one of the Molucca Islands, in 1815. It began on the fifth day
+of April, and did not cease till July. The explosions were heard in one
+direction nine hundred and seventy miles, and in another seven hundred and
+twenty miles. So heavy was the fall of ashes at the distance of forty
+miles that houses were crushed and destroyed. The floating cinders in the
+ocean, hundreds of miles distant, were two feet thick, and vessels were
+forced through them with difficulty. The darkness in Java, three hundred
+miles distant, was deeper than the blackest night; and finally, out of the
+twelve thousand inhabitants of the island, only twenty-six survived the
+catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if we confine our views to such facts as these, we can hardly avoid
+the conclusion that earthquakes and volcanoes are terrific exhibitions of
+God&#8217;s displeasure towards a fallen and guilty world. But if it can be
+shown that the volcanic agency exerts a salutary influence in preserving
+the globe from ruin, nay, is essential to such preservation, we must
+regard its incidental destruction of property and life as no evidence of a
+vindictive infliction, nor of the want of benevolence in its operation.
+And the remarkable proofs which modern geology has presented of vast
+accumulations of heated and melted matter beneath the earth&#8217;s crust, do
+make such an agent as volcanoes essential to the preservation of the
+globe. In order to make out this position, I shall not contend that all
+the earth&#8217;s interior, beneath fifty or one hundred miles, is in a state of
+fusion. For even the most able and decided of those geologists who object
+to such an inference, admit that oceans of melted matter do exist beneath
+the surface. And if so, how liable would vast accumulations of heat be, if
+there were no safety-valves through the crust, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> rend asunder even a
+whole continent? Volcanoes are those safety-valves, and more than two
+hundred of them are scattered over the earth&#8217;s surface, forming vent-holes
+into the heated interior. Most of them, indeed, have the valves loaded,
+and the effort of the confined gases and vapors to lift the load produces
+the terrific phenomena of earthquakes and volcanoes. But if no such
+passages into the interior existed, what could prevent the pent-up gases
+from accumulating till they had gained strength enough to rend a whole
+continent, and perhaps the whole globe, into fragments? Is it not, then,
+benevolence by which this agency prevents so dreadful a catastrophe, even
+by means that bring some incidental evils along with them?</p>
+
+<p>Some able writers do, indeed, object to the idea that volcanoes are
+safety-valves to the globe, deriving their objections from certain facts
+respecting the position of volcanic craters in the Sandwich Islands, if I
+do not misrecollect. Without going into the details of that case, for want
+of time and space, it seems to me that the facts respecting the connection
+between earthquakes and volcanoes, admitted by all, will justify such a
+view of the latter as is expressed by the term &#8220;safety-valves.&#8221; For
+earthquakes are but the incipient effects of the volcanic force within the
+globe; and if these effects have been so terrible at the beginning, what
+must be the full exhibition of that force, if not able to find a passage
+for the struggling gases and lava through the strata above them? Who can
+say that it might not rend a continent asunder, and, if deep enough
+seated, even the whole globe?</p>
+
+<p>The question will undoubtedly be asked by every reflecting mind, why
+infinite wisdom and benevolence could not have devised a plan for securing
+the good resulting from volcanoes and earthquakes without the attendant
+evils. The same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> question meets us at almost every step of our examination
+of the present system of the world. For we every where meet with evil,
+incidentally connected with agencies whose predominant effects are
+beneficial. I incline to the opinion, that the true answer to this
+question is, that the evil is permitted that thereby greater good may be
+secured to the universe. Still the subject of the origin of evil is one
+whose full solution can hardly be expected in the present world, because
+we cannot here master all its elements. When it can be solved, we can tell
+why so much desolation and suffering are permitted to accompany the
+earthquake and the volcano. But if we can show that benefits far
+outweighing the evil are the result of this terrific agency, we gather
+from it decided evidence of the divine benevolence;&mdash;the same evidence
+which we gain from any other operations of nature; for in them all there
+is only a preponderance of good, not unmixed good. The desolation of this
+fair world by volcanic agency, and especially the destruction of life, do,
+indeed, teach us that this present system of nature is adapted to a state
+of probation and death, instead of a state of rewards and immortal life.
+It is adapted to sinful and fallen beings, rather than to those who are
+perfect in holiness and in happiness. In short, it is earth, not heaven.
+It is not such a world as heaven must be, to secure unalloyed and eternal
+happiness. Nevertheless, benevolence decidedly predominates in the
+arrangements of the present system, even in the desolating agency under
+consideration. I do not deny that God may sometimes employ this agency, as
+he may every other in nature, for the punishment of the guilty. But before
+we infer that this is the general use and design of volcanoes and
+earthquakes, we should ponder well the questions put by our Savior <i>to
+some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> Pilate had mingled with
+their sacrifices</i>. <i>Suppose ye</i>, answered the Savior, <i>that these
+Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such
+things? I tell you nay. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam
+fell and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that
+dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay.</i> Let us follow the example of Jesus
+Christ, and take a more enlarged view of these startling and distressing
+events. Let us inquire whether they are not the incidental effects of
+agencies essential to the permanence and happiness of the great system of
+the universe. This is certainly the case in regard to volcanoes. We have
+strong reason to believe that they are essential to the preservation of
+the globe; and of how much higher consequence is this than the
+comparatively small amount of property and life which they destroy! If we
+can only rise to these higher views, and not suffer our judgment to be
+warped by the immediate terrors of the earthquake and the volcano, we
+shall see the smile of infinite benevolence where most men see only the
+wrath of an offended Deity.</p>
+
+<p><i>My seventh geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the manner in which coal, rock salt, marble, gypsum, and other valuable
+materials were prepared for the use of man, long before his existence.</i></p>
+
+<p>If a created and intelligent being from some other sphere had alighted on
+this globe during that remote period when the vegetation now dug out of
+the coal formation covered the surface with its gigantic growth, he might
+have felt as if here was a waste of creative power. Vast forests of
+sigillaria, lepidodendra, conifer&aelig;, cycade&aelig;, and tree ferns would have
+waved over his head, with their imposing though sombre foliage, while the
+lesser tribes of calamites and equisetace&aelig; would have filled the
+intervening spaces; but no vertebral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> animal would have been there to
+enjoy and enliven the almost universal solitude. Why, then, he must have
+inquired, is there such a profusion of vegetable forms, and such a
+colossal development of individual plants? To what use can such vast
+forests be applied? But let ages roll by, and that same being revisit our
+world at the present time. Let him traverse the little Island of Britain,
+and see there fifteen thousand steam engines moved by coal dug out of the
+earth, and produced by these same ancient forests. Let him see these
+engines performing the work of two millions of men, and moving machinery
+which accomplishes what would require the unaided labors of three or four
+hundred millions of men, and he could not doubt but such a result was one
+of the objects of that rank vegetation which covered the earth ere it was
+fit for the residence of such natures as now dwell upon it. Let him go to
+the coal fields of other countries, and especially those of the United
+States, stretching over one hundred and fifty thousand square miles,
+containing a quantity absolutely inexhaustible, and already imparting
+comfort to millions of the inhabitants, and giving life and energy to
+every variety of manufacture through the almost entire length of this
+country, and destined to pour out their wealth through all coming time,
+long after the forests shall all have been levelled,&mdash;and irresistible
+must be the conviction upon his mind, that here is a beautiful example of
+prospective benevolence on the part of the Deity. In those remote ages,
+while yet the earth was unfitted for the higher races of animals that now
+dwell upon it, it was eminently adapted to nourish that gigantic flora
+which would produce the future fuel of the human race, when that crown of
+all God&#8217;s works should be placed upon the earth. Ere that time, those
+forests must sink beneath the ocean, be buried beneath deposits of rock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>
+thousands of feet thick. But during all that period, all those chemical
+changes which are essential to convert them into coal would be
+accomplished, and, at last, man would find access, by his ingenuity and
+industry, to the deep-seated beds whence his fuel might be drawn. Nor
+would these vast repositories fail him till the consummation of all
+things. Surely there was no waste, but there was a far-reaching plan of
+benevolence in the profusion of vegetable life in the earlier periods of
+our planet.</p>
+
+<p>Essentially the same remark will apply to the limestone, gypsum, rock
+salt, and several other mineral products of the earth, which are almost
+indispensable to man in a civilized state. For these, too, were produced
+by slow processes, during those vast periods of duration that preceded
+man&#8217;s existence. Limestone has been chiefly elaborated by the organs of
+animals, many of them of microscopic littleness. Yet lofty ranges of
+mountains and immense deposits in the intervening valleys have been the
+result. Nearly one seventh part of the crust of the globe, it has been
+said, is thus constituted of the works or remains of animals. And can we
+doubt but that these rocks are thus spread over the surface of the globe
+because they are needed by all mankind, like air and water? It must have
+been benevolence that so arranged the agencies by which they were
+produced, during the revolution of primeval ages, that they have this wide
+diffusion. Gypsum and fossil salt are more sparingly diffused; but still
+enough is always to be found to meet the demand. Nor is it reasonable to
+doubt that the same prospective goodness which provided for coal and
+limestone, commissioned other agencies to lay up a store of gypsum, salt,
+bitumen, clay, and other substances dug out of the earth for man&#8217;s
+benefit.</p>
+
+<p><i>My eighth geological argument for the divine benevolence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> is based upon
+the perfect adaptation of the natures of animals and plants to the varying
+condition of the globe through all the periods of its past history.</i></p>
+
+<p>The very slight changes in climate, situation, and food, that will destroy
+most species of animals and plants, is hard to be realized by man, whose
+nature will sustain very great changes of this kind. So will most of the
+animals and plants that have been domesticated by man, and which accompany
+him into every soil and climate. But the great mass of animals and plants
+would perish by such a transplantation. They are adapted to a particular
+region, often of narrow limits; and to remove them from thence, even to
+one slightly diverse, is to cause their deterioration and final
+destruction. In other words, their natures are exactly adapted to the
+place of habitation assigned them. And it must have required infinite
+wisdom thus to fit the delicate machinery of animal and vegetable
+organization to the great variety of circumstances on the globe in which
+it is placed. But we find that same wisdom to have been manifested in all
+the vast periods of organic life. We have the most unequivocal evidence
+that the condition of the earth has undergone important changes. We cannot
+examine the remarkable flora and fauna of the older rocks, the gigantic
+sauroid fishes, the huge orthoceratites and ammonites, the heteroclitic
+trilobites, and the strange sigillaria and lepidodendra, calamites and
+asterophyllites, the lofty conifer&aelig;, and the anomalous cycade&aelig;,&mdash;we cannot
+examine these without realizing that a state of the globe very different
+from the present must have existed when they had possession of it. And
+when we contemplate also the enormous saurians and batrachians of the
+middle secondary rocks, and the colossal quadrupeds of the tertiary
+strata, we cannot doubt that a tropical or an ultra-tropical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> climate must
+have prevailed in high northern latitudes during their existence. We
+perceive that there has been a gradual decrease of temperature on the
+surface from the earliest times. In each successive race of organized
+beings which have been placed on the globe, there must have been,
+therefore, some change of constitution to adapt them to the altered state
+of the climate and productions of the earth. And we find this alteration
+to have been always made with consummate skill, so as to secure the most
+complete development of organic beings, and the greatest enjoyment to
+sensitive natures. Malevolence would not have done this; for it might with
+infinite knowledge at command, have filled each successive period of the
+world with natures unadapted to the mutable condition of things, capable,
+indeed, of a prolonged existence, not to enjoy, but only to suffer. But
+infinite benevolence was fitting up this world by slow secondary agencies
+for the elevated races which now occupy it, especially for one species,
+rational and immortal; and it lavished its kindness and wisdom by filling
+the world, during those preparatory ages, with multitudes of happy beings,
+fitted exactly to each altered condition of the air, the water, and the
+soil.</p>
+
+<p><i>My ninth and last geological argument for the divine benevolence is
+founded upon the permanence and security of the world, in spite of the
+mighty changes it has undergone, and the powerful agencies to which it is
+now subject.</i></p>
+
+<p>When we learn from the records of geology, as they are inscribed upon the
+rocks, how numerous and thorough have been the revolutions of the surface
+and the crust of the globe in past ages; how often and how long the
+present dry land has been alternately above and beneath the ocean; how
+frequently the crust of the globe has been fractured, bent, and
+dislocated,&mdash;now lifted upward, and now thrown downward,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> and now folded
+by lateral pressure; how frequently melted matter has been forced through
+its strata and through its fissures to the surface; in short, how every
+particle of the accessible portions of the globe has undergone entire
+metamorphoses; and especially when we recollect what strong evidence there
+is that oceans of liquid matter exist beneath the solid crust, and that
+probably the whole interior of the earth is in that condition, with
+expansive energy sufficient to rend the globe into fragments,&mdash;when we
+review all these facts, we cannot but feel that the condition of the
+surface of the globe must be one of great insecurity and liability to
+change. But it is not so. On the contrary, the present state of the globe
+is one of permanent uniformity and entire security, except those
+comparatively slight catastrophes which result from earthquakes,
+volcanoes, and local deluges. Even the climate has experienced no general
+change within historic times, and the profound mathematical researches of
+Baron Fourier have demonstrated that, even though the internal parts of
+the globe are in an incandescent state, beneath a crust thirty or forty
+miles, the temperature at the surface has long since ceased to be affected
+by the melted central mass; that it is not now more than one seventeenth
+of a degree higher than it would be if the interior were ice; and that
+hundreds of thousands of years will not see it lowered, from this cause,
+more than the seventeenth part of a degree. And as to the apprehension
+that the entire crust of the globe may be broken through, and fall into
+the melted matter beneath, just reflect what solidity and strength there
+must be in a mass of hard rock from fifty to one hundred miles in
+thickness, and your fears of such a catastrophe will probably vanish.</p>
+
+<p>Now, such a uniformity of climate and security from general ruin are
+essential to the comfort and existence of animal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> nature. But it must have
+required infinite wisdom and benevolence so to arrange and balance the
+mighty elements of change and ruin which exist in the earth, that they
+should hold one another in check, and make the world a quiet, unchanged,
+and secure dwelling-place for so many thousands of years. Surely that
+wisdom must have been guided by infinite benevolence. And it would seem
+from geology that the same union of wisdom and benevolence have always
+arranged the past conditions of the earth. For, during each of the periods
+of organic existence, uniformity and security seem to have prevailed so
+long as the purposes of the Deity required. In early times, indeed, when
+animals were mostly confined to the waters, it was not necessary that the
+dry land should be as exempt as at present from catastrophes; and probably
+they were then more frequent; and it may be that, while there were
+uniformity and security in one portion of the globe, or in one element,
+there might have been disturbance and desolation in others. And it is
+doubtful whether such general quiet has ever prevailed for so long a time
+as during the present, or historic period. We see a reason for this in the
+fact that never before were so many animals in existence, with a structure
+so delicate and complicated.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the evidences of divine benevolence, drawn from a field at first
+view most unpromising. And yet, when we come to look beyond the surface,
+where do we find more decisive or more numerous indications of God&#8217;s
+beneficence? They are not like many hasty generalizations, which
+superficial examination has often brought from natural phenomena in proof
+of this same truth, but which, although beautiful at first view, must be
+abandoned upon careful research. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> these, though repulsive at first,
+gain solidity and beauty by examination. And they are the more interesting
+because they come from an unexpected quarter. Men have been accustomed to
+search among the drift piled up by water and ice, among dislocated and
+rent strata of rocks, among mountains overturned and fields made desolate
+by volcanic eruptions, for the mementoes of penal inflictions; but they
+have not imagined that divine benevolence might be seen among these
+disturbances and desolations; and that simply because they confined their
+views to the immediate effect of geological agencies, and did not enlarge
+their views to take in their connection with the great system of the
+universe. But now that we find the stamp of benevolence even here, we
+learn an instructive lesson. Every reflecting mind is aware that the
+doctrine of divine benevolence lies at the foundation of all natural and
+revealed religion, and that until this be established we labor in vain to
+erect a superstructure. It is well known, also, that the existence of
+natural and moral evil has been considered a strong objection to this
+great truth. Now, geology furnishes us with many examples, in which
+agencies, often fraught with terrific evils, are nevertheless eminently
+beneficial when the whole extent of their operation is taken into account.
+Why is it not a fair inference that, in all other cases where evils stand
+out prominently, they are only incidental results of some wide system of
+operations, of which our limited vision embraces only a part, but whose
+tendencies as a whole are eminently salutary, and whose incidental evils
+do, in fact, increase the salutary effects? If so, what reason have we to
+believe that, when the light of eternity shall clarify our mental eye, and
+enlarge our knowledge of the present system of the universe, we shall find
+all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> &#8220;partial evil to be universal good,&#8221; and that our narrow views alone
+threw obscurity and difficulty over this subject in this life? O, if even
+here so many rays of divine love find their way into our narrow
+prison-house, what will be their brightness when they pour in upon us from
+the unveiled glories of the heavenly world!</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_VII" id="LECTURE_VII"></a>LECTURE VII.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD.</span></p>
+
+<p>The geological proofs of the divine benevolence considered in the last
+lecture present only a partial view of that glorious characteristic of
+Jehovah. I am tempted, therefore, to exhibit it in its more general aspect
+and broader relations. This will necessarily bring into view other
+important religious truths respecting man&#8217;s fallen condition and
+character, and, as a consequence, the modified aspect of the divine
+goodness in such a world.</p>
+
+<p>To those destitute of a revelation this world has, indeed, ever seemed an
+inextricable maze, an enigma too dark for human wisdom to solve. Nor have
+those favored with the Bible agreed in their modes of clearing up the
+mystery. Having endeavored to explain all by following out some leading
+and favorite idea, their theories have varied as these predominant
+conceptions differed. One, for instance, fixes his gaze so intently upon
+the divine benevolence that he is blind to every manifestation of
+Jehovah&#8217;s sterner attributes. Another, deeply impressed with the story of
+man&#8217;s original apostasy, sees only vindictive justice, and penal
+infliction, and disordered action, in all the movements of nature and the
+trials and sufferings of man. A third, captivated by the discoveries of
+modern geology, relative to the existence of suffering and death in the
+world before man&#8217;s creation, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> learning, moreover, from physiology,
+that death is a general law of all organized natures, vegetable as well as
+animal, is led to doubt whether the disorders of the world have any
+important connection with man&#8217;s apostasy.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it were easy to show that our views on these subjects have a most
+important bearing upon our entire system of theology; and, therefore, they
+deserve our most thorough and candid examination. To such an examination I
+now invite your serious attention.</p>
+
+<p>It is not my object to appeal to the Scriptures to prove the divine
+benevolence. That were an easy task. So, were this an unfallen world,
+every object and event would be redolent of God&#8217;s goodness. But where sin
+and death abound, that goodness must assume a different aspect, since its
+unmixed manifestation would work mischief. Now, the point aimed at in this
+lecture is to ascertain whether natural religion can point out decisive
+evidence of divine benevolence. We can conceive it quite possible that in
+a fallen world God might find it necessary so to mingle displays of
+justice with those of goodness, that man might be in doubt which
+predominated.</p>
+
+<p>There is another reason for considering this subject apart from scriptural
+evidence. We need to establish the doctrine of divine benevolence as a
+basis on which to rest the evidences of inspiration; or, rather, we want
+to be able to assume God&#8217;s benevolence, in arguing for the truth of the
+Bible, and in judging of its contents. This doctrine, therefore, is one of
+the most important, as it is certainly the most difficult, in natural
+theology.</p>
+
+<p>Obviously the first step in this investigation must be to ascertain what
+is the real state of this world, as a manifestation of the benevolence and
+justice of God. In other words, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> need to ascertain what exhibitions of
+these attributes are presented to us in nature, and in the economy of
+Providence, and how much of the evil in the world is to be imputed to
+man&#8217;s perversion of the gifts of God. I shall proceed, therefore, to state
+the main points on this subject which fair and candid reasoning seems to
+me to sustain. When these points are before us, with a summary of the
+evidence by which they are supported, we shall be prepared to deduce
+important conclusions respecting God&#8217;s character and dispensations, and
+man&#8217;s position and destiny.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, then, I maintain that benevolence decidedly
+predominates in the present system of the world.</i></p>
+
+<p>Let this proposition be fully understood. It does not mean that there is
+no mixture of evil in the operations of nature, but only that good
+decidedly overbalances the evil. And by the operations of nature I mean
+those processes resulting from natural laws, which are uninfluenced by the
+perverseness of man. How much of evil may be imputed to his perversion of
+the gifts of Providence will be considered in another place, as will also
+those cases in which evil seems inseparable from the original arrangements
+of the world. All that I am now concerned to prove is, that, in a vast
+majority of instances, we see the marks of benevolent design and
+benevolent operation in the arrangements of nature.</p>
+
+<p>This position is established, in the first place, by the fact that the
+design of every natural contrivance is to produce happiness.</p>
+
+<p>To show that such is the case, by an appeal to facts, would be, in truth,
+to write the history of every natural process, and show its design. But it
+will be sufficient to consider only such cases as appear most decidedly to
+militate against my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> position, and to show that even these are not
+designed to cause evil or suffering.</p>
+
+<p>How does it happen, then, you may inquire, that evil is the result of a
+multitude of contrivances and processes in nature? It is an incidental
+effect, I answer; that is, an effect happening aside from the main design
+of the contrivance. Take a few illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>No one can doubt that the law of gravity is essential to the preservation
+and comfort of the world, and to the harmonious motions of the heavenly
+bodies. Yet how often does it give rise to frightful accidents to men and
+animals! But when they are crushed by falling bodies, or by falling
+themselves, who imagines this to be the design of gravitation? How clear
+that its real object is beneficial, and that the evil resulting from it is
+unavoidable in a world constituted like ours! Why the world is not
+constituted differently, is an inquiry which men may try to answer; but an
+answer is not important to my present object.</p>
+
+<p>Take an example from the organic world. Every one is aware that without a
+nervous system in animals there would be no sensibility, nor sensation,
+and, of course, no enjoyment; and without these, animals would be
+unconscious of danger, and would not guard against it, nor withdraw from
+it. We are sure, therefore, that these two objects are the grand design of
+the nervous system, and, of course, it is a benevolent design. But the
+nervous system causes a great deal of suffering as well as pleasure.
+Obviously, however, this is only an incidental effect, which could not be
+prevented without a miracle; while the main design is to produce happiness
+and guard against evil.</p>
+
+<p>It may be asked, however, by what principle we can determine what is the
+design of a contrivance, and what the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> incidental effect. Why select a
+part of the effects, and call them the object aimed at by the contriver,
+while we regard others as incidental, and merely permitted, not intended?</p>
+
+<p>The principle on which we make this distinction is very clear. We judge of
+the design of a contrivance by its predominant tendencies and effects. If
+evil as often results as good, misery as often as happiness, we could not
+decide whether the design was benevolent or malevolent, or an indifference
+to both. But the benevolent tendency and effects of every natural
+contrivance are so obvious, and so immensely outweigh all its evil
+results, that we are compelled to admit the design of the Author of nature
+to be benevolent. And, therefore, when we see evil occasionally result
+from such contrivances, we are authorized to say that this is only an
+incidental effect; not, indeed, wholly undesigned, for we cannot doubt
+that God has a design in the permission of all evil. But for each
+particular arrangement and movement in nature we can discover a
+predominant and benevolent object.</p>
+
+<p>Take another example from the human frame. In that frame we find a
+multitude of organs, nearly all of which are obviously adapted to a
+particular use. Now, the anatomist cannot lay his finger upon one of them,
+and say, This was intended to produce derangement and suffering in the
+system. Here is a muscle contrived to clog the operations of its
+neighbors; here a blood-vessel adapted to corrupt the blood and produce
+disease; here a gland whose object is to secrete a poisonous fluid, to
+contaminate the whole system; here a nerve made to produce pain; here a
+plexus of vessels suited to bring on disease. On the contrary, this
+anatomist perceives at once that all the organs of the animal system, and
+their collocation, are fitted in the best possible manner to produce
+health. It is obvious at a glance that this is their design.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>But if such be the fact, how happens it that so few persons pass through
+life without disease? Is it all to be imputed to an abuse and perversion
+of the organs and powers of life? Not so, in my opinion. But those organs
+are all liable to disease; and when we see how delicate and complicated
+they are, we ought not to wonder that even the unavoidable causes of
+derangement should often bring it on. Yet, after all, health is the rule
+and the object, and disease only the exception. But I shall say more on
+this subject in another part of the argument.</p>
+
+<p>Some one, however, who hears me, has doubtless ere this had his thoughts
+recur to the organs of carnivorous animals, the poisonous fangs of
+serpents, and the organs of the scorpion, the tarantula, and of insects,
+for the generation and protrusion of deadly poison. Here we have organs
+expressly provided for the destruction of other animals. That such is
+their design, no physiologist can doubt; and hence they are intended to
+produce suffering, and not happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Is this an exactly correct statement of the case? True, suffering is the
+result of such organs; but the arrangement is intended to accomplish still
+higher purposes. The leading one is to procure food for sustenance, the
+other is self-defence. Both of these are essential to the animal&#8217;s
+continued existence. That suffering should be incidentally connected with
+instruments or organs so important, is no more difficult to explain than
+is the existence of evil any where. The object even of these contrivances,
+then, is beneficial. And if so, I know of no other example in nature so
+seemingly adverse to the position I have laid down, that the main object
+of every natural contrivance is benevolent in its origin and results. If
+this be so, how clearly does it indicate the character of the contriver to
+be benevolent!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>My second argument is derived from the fact that the organic functions
+often produce pleasure where suffering was just as consistent with their
+most perfect action; or I might say that such are the arrangements of the
+natural world, that pleasure often results to sentient beings from its
+operations, when they might have been as perfectly performed with the
+production of pain. A few illustrations will render the meaning of this
+position obvious.</p>
+
+<p>As we look abroad upon nature, one of the most striking traits we discover
+is its unbounded variety. With the Psalmist we involuntarily exclaim, <i>O
+Lord, how manifold are thy works!</i> It is not merely variety as to form,
+texture, attitude, and arrangement; but who can describe the countless
+tints of coloring which are spread over the heavens and the earth? Now,
+there is in the human soul an aptitude to be pleased with variety; nay,
+there is a craving for it. Nor can there be a more terrible infliction
+than unvarying monotony and sameness of appearance, arrangement, and
+action. If, therefore, the Creator had been malevolent, or indifferent to
+the happiness of man and other sentient beings, he might have gratified
+this disposition most perfectly by giving to the human soul its present
+love of variety, and then spreading over the face of nature a dead
+uniformity of figure, position, arrangement, and coloring; forming every
+thing upon the same model. And this might have been done without impairing
+at all the perfect operation of all her laws that are essential. Every
+thing might have been as systematic and harmonious as it now is; but
+sentient beings would have been miserable; and this must have been
+supremely gratifying to infinite malevolence. He might also have so
+constructed the organs of hearing, sight, and smell, that every sound
+might have been ungrateful and grating, every odor repulsive, and every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+prospect disgusting. While hunger would have urged animals, as it now
+does, to seek food, its reception might have been painful, or utterly void
+of gustatory enjoyment. So in regard to social enjoyments; we might have
+been irresistibly drawn towards our fellow-men, and yet their society
+might have been hateful in the extreme.</p>
+
+<p>Had such a state of things existed, how very clearly we should have
+inferred the malevolence of the Author of nature! Or if such a state had
+been witnessed about as often as its opposite, we might reasonably have
+said that he was indifferent to the happiness of his creatures. Why, then,
+may we not, with equal reason, infer his benevolence, when we find, in a
+vast majority of cases,&mdash;nay, for aught I know, universally,&mdash;that
+pleasure is superadded to animal enjoyment where it was wholly unnecessary
+to the perfect operation of nature&#8217;s laws?</p>
+
+<p>The fact is, God has made all nature &#8220;beauty to our eye and music to our
+ear,&#8221; when it was wholly unnecessary for the perfect operation of her
+laws; and the inference is irresistible, that he delights in the happiness
+of his creatures. Nor can the fact that evil exists in the world destroy
+the force of this argument, unless that evil is so general as to be
+obviously the design of the Creator in devising and arranging the system
+of the world. While we admit its existence, we say that it is only
+incidental, and that pleasure is so often superadded unnecessarily, as to
+prove happiness to be the design, and evil the exception.</p>
+
+<p>The two arguments above presented are the evidence on which Dr. Paley
+relies to prove the divine benevolence. They are, indeed, as it seems to
+me, unanswerable. But if I mistake not, they do by no means exhaust the
+storehouse of nature&#8217;s proofs of this fundamental principle of natural<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>
+and revealed religion. I derive a third argument for the predominance of
+benevolence in the works of nature from the variety of means often
+provided for the performance of important functions; so that animals and
+plants can adapt themselves to different circumstances, and prolong their
+existence.</p>
+
+<p>The examples which I have in mind to illustrate this argument are all
+derived from the organic world. I refer, for instance, to the fact that
+nearly all our muscles, and many other important organs, as the hands, the
+feet, the eyes, and the lungs, are in pairs, so that if one meets with an
+injury, or is destroyed, the other can, to some extent, perform the office
+of both. The brain has two hemispheres, and one of them may be seriously
+wounded without destroying the healthy action of the other.</p>
+
+<p>But perhaps the most appropriate example is in the blood-vessels, whose
+inosculations are so numerous that even though large arteries and veins be
+tied, the blood will find its way through the smaller ones, which
+ultimately will so enlarge as to keep up the circulation nearly as well as
+before the injury. And, in fact, almost every one of the large
+blood-vessels has been tied by the surgeon with little ultimate injury to
+the patient.</p>
+
+<p>In the process of deglutition, or swallowing the nourishment essential to
+the existence of all the more perfect animals,&mdash;since the food and the air
+for respiration pass for a time through a common opening, the pharynx,&mdash;it
+is extremely important that the passage to the lungs should be most
+vigilantly guarded; since strangulation would follow the introduction
+there of any thing but air. Accordingly, the entrance of the glottis is so
+sensitive, that the approach of the food causes it to close. But lest this
+security should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> sometimes fail, we have an additional guard in the
+epiglottis, which shuts down like a valve upon the orifice. Even with this
+double precaution, strangulation sometimes follows the act of deglutition.
+How much oftener would it occur, had not benevolence thus multiplied its
+vigilant sentinels at the point of danger!</p>
+
+<p>Another illustration of this argument lies in the fact, that many of the
+organs of animals and plants possess the power, when an exigency requires
+it, of greatly increasing their action. When, for instance, an unusual
+quantity of osseous matter is requisite to repair a broken bone, the
+glands, whose office it is to elaborate that matter, are capable of
+secreting an extraordinary quantity, until the injury is repaired.</p>
+
+<p>Of an analogous character is the sympathy existing between the different
+organs, so that when one has an unusual amount of labor to perform, the
+rest impart of their nervous energy to sustain their overtasked companion.
+Thus, and thus only, could animals be carried through many of the severe
+exigencies of their existence. Their organs help one another, just as if
+they were conscious of one another&#8217;s necessities, and were prompted by
+benevolence to aid the weakest.</p>
+
+<p>In like manner, some of the organs possess the power of vicarious
+secretion; that is, of producing, in peculiar circumstances, secretions
+that are usually made by other glands. How they can do this, and how they
+can know when to do it, are among the mysteries of physiology.
+Nevertheless, the object of this arrangement is most obvious, viz., the
+continuance of health and life in spite of accidents, which would
+otherwise prove fatal.</p>
+
+<p>The same vicarious system is manifest in the well-known examples, where
+the loss of one or more of the senses gives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> increased acuteness to the
+rest. The sense of touch, for instance, in the blind man, has sometimes
+proved no mean substitute for eyes; and, indeed, any of the senses by
+cultivation, in peculiar exigencies, may be prodigiously strengthened.</p>
+
+<p>Now, in all these cases, where the vicarious principle is brought into
+operation, or sympathy concentrates the power of many organs in one, or
+the loss of one organ or sense quickens the sensibility of the rest, do we
+not recognize the prospective care and kindness of infinite benevolence?
+Do you say that it merely shows infinite wisdom, which adjusts means to
+ends with consummate skill, in order to be sure of success in its designs?
+Why, then, I inquire, should these provisions for trying exigencies in the
+animal system always tend to the happiness of the creature? Surely there
+were other means at the command of infinite wisdom for securing the
+existence of the animal, which would bring misery upon it instead of
+happiness. The benevolent tendency of the design, therefore, proves the
+benevolent feelings of the designer.</p>
+
+<p>The extraordinary provisions that are made in some cases for the
+multiplication of animals and plants, in order to prevent the extinction
+of any races, and to give life and happiness to as many animals as can be
+sustained, is another indication of benevolent care on the part of the
+Creator. Not less than five modes of reproduction are known to exist,
+viz., the viviparous, the ovo-viviparous, the oviparous, the gemmiparous,
+and the fissiparous; and among the lowest families of animals several of
+these modes exist in the same species, so that their extinction, or even
+deficient multiplication, is scarcely possible.</p>
+
+<p>The same benevolence is manifested in the power possessed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> by animals and
+plants to adapt themselves to different circumstances. Often are they
+thrown into conditions widely diverse as to food, temperature, and
+exposure to chemical and mechanical agencies, with no possibility on their
+part of avoiding them. This is eminently true of man; and were not animals
+able to adapt themselves to these various states, they must perish. True,
+there are limits to this adaptation; but they are wide enough to
+accomplish the great purposes of existence, and to make us comfortable and
+happy amid great changes in our condition. Nor is this power of adaptation
+among animals limited to their physical nature. Their mental habits admit
+of an oscillation equally wide, so that, ere long, we become happy in a
+condition which at first was painful in the extreme. New habits take the
+place of the old ones so gradually that we scarcely realize the change.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if this power were not possessed in such a world as ours, could
+organic natures not bend at all to circumstances, constant suffering and
+premature dissolution would be the result. The power of adaptation,
+therefore, looks like the benevolent provision of a kind Father, who
+wishes to make his creatures as happy as he can in the circumstances in
+which his wisdom has placed them. Certainly, malevolence, or indifference
+to their happiness, would not have introduced this power of adaptation
+into their natures; for it is certain that their continued existence might
+have been secured in some other way, had no reference been had to their
+happiness.</p>
+
+<p>I base my fourth argument for the predominance of benevolence, in the
+arrangements of nature, upon the aggregate results of the most destructive
+and terrific agencies which she employs.</p>
+
+<p>The immediate effects of these agencies are often so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> appalling and so
+unmixed with good, that men view them only as penal inflictions; or, when
+the sufferers are unconscious of guilt, as mysterious dispensations of
+evil, which need the light of another world to reconcile with infinite
+benevolence. When the tornado or sirocco&#8217;s hot breath sweeps over the
+devoted land; when the river overflows its banks, and ingulfs the
+defenceless inhabitants along its course, or the giant waves of the ocean
+roll in upon the devoted shore; when the heaving earthquake overturns in a
+moment vast cities, and the earth swallows them in its bosom; or when the
+volcano pours out its suffocating smoke and its scorching lava, and
+obliterates from earth the defenceless town, as once Herculaneum and
+Pompeii were converted into petrified cities,&mdash;in the midst of such
+desolating agencies, where can we discover a gleam of benevolence? Not
+surely in the immediate effects. But suppose the tornado, the flood, the
+earthquake, and the volcano are essential to the preservation of the earth
+from a far wider ruin, so that, in fact, while they destroy some property
+and life, they preserve a far greater amount, and are essential to such
+preservation,&mdash;why is it not benevolence that gives a slight play to these
+terrific elements, while it checks their wild war so soon as the requisite
+security has been obtained? When the storm has sufficiently purified the
+atmosphere, when the flood has enriched the wide alluvial fields, and the
+earthquake and the volcano have given vent to the pent-up fires in the
+earth, so that they no longer threaten to rend a continent asunder, then a
+restraining power is put upon them, and they are allowed no more range
+than is essential to the general good. We may not, indeed, see why the
+good could not be secured without the evil. But this question leads to the
+inquiry, whether the present system of the universe is the best possible;
+and that it is so we have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> guaranty of the divine perfections. Those
+perfections admit the existence of evil; but at the same time they take
+care that the aggregate result of the greatest evils should be beneficial.</p>
+
+<p>Nor would we limit this position to evils springing out of the nature or
+the changes of the inanimate world; for some of the severest evils are
+dependent upon the organization or operation of animate nature. Man, for
+instance, finds himself often grossly annoyed by some species of the
+inferior animals, in his comfort, property, and even life. And he wonders
+why infinite wisdom and benevolence should permit certain species to
+exist, when they seem fitted only to annoy the rest. But he knows not what
+he desires when he wishes their extinction. For such is the balance of
+organic nature, that to strike out even one species, is like removing a
+link from a chain. Once broken, every other link is affected, and the
+whole chain lies useless upon the ground. Or, to speak without a figure,
+if you blot out certain species of animals or plants, you disturb the
+balance of the whole system of organic nature; nor can you tell where the
+disturbance thus introduced will end. It may lead to the excessive
+multiplication of species still more injurious than those you have
+destroyed. At any rate, since the perfections of the Deity lead to the
+conclusion that the existing proportion between different species is the
+best, all things considered, and change in the balance must be injurious,
+we may conclude, that though noxious animals and plants may produce
+individual inconvenience and injury, the aggregate effects upon the whole
+of organic nature are salutary, and, therefore, indicative of benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>Similar reasoning will, I think, apply to the existence of that large
+class of animals called carnivorous. These are evidently intended to prey
+upon other animals; and for this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> purpose they are provided with weapons
+for seizing and destroying their prey. It is often extremely painful to a
+man of kind feelings to witness the scenes of blood and havoc which these
+flesh-eating animals produce. But we forget two things. The first is, that
+in order to keep the numbers of animated beings full in the different
+tribes, it is necessary that there should be a great excess of numbers
+created, to meet all the casualties to which they are exposed; and that
+excess must in some way or other be removed from life. Secondly, all the
+enjoyment of the carnivorous races is so much clear gain to the sum of
+animal happiness; for the excess of numbers in the tribes of vegetable
+feeders suffer no more in being destroyed by the carnivorous races, than
+if they died in some other way; not so much, indeed, as if they perished
+by famine. We may safely conclude, then, that even this system of mutual
+slaughter, when viewed in all its relations, is the means, in such a world
+as ours, of increasing the amount of enjoyment, and is, therefore, a
+benevolent provision.</p>
+
+<p>This course of reasoning may be extended, as I judge, to the greatest of
+all mortal evils,&mdash;I mean death. In the case of the inferior animals, the
+amount of physical or mental suffering from this cause is comparatively
+small. And if they survive the change of death, surely there is
+benevolence in so easy a translation. Or, if they do not exist hereafter,
+the stroke of death is a small deduction from the happiness of a whole
+life. In man&#8217;s case, we must not take into the account the aggravations of
+death which his own misconduct produces. And aside from these, what a
+blessing it would be to be transferred to a more exalted state of being,
+by an experience no more painful than that of a Christian dying what may
+be called a natural death, by mere decay! Then, too, how much greater
+happiness is the result of a succession of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> beings on earth, than one
+undying race would enjoy, both because the successive races would be ever
+passing through novel scenes, which would soon become monotonous to a
+continuous race, and because, as we have already suggested, a succession
+of races admits of the existence, at any one time, of a far greater number
+of species! Then, too, we must not forget the salutary moral influence
+which man experiences from the expectation of death; so great, indeed,
+that without it, it seems doubtful whether the world would be any thing
+better than a Pandemonium. In making indissoluble the connection between
+sin and death, therefore, in such a system as the present, benevolence
+presided with wisdom and justice in the councils of Jehovah.</p>
+
+<p>But in the third lecture I have treated this whole subject so much more
+fully, that I need not add any thing further in this connection.</p>
+
+<p>I base my fifth and last argument, to prove the predominance of
+benevolence in the present system of nature, on the fact that good so
+often results from evil as a natural consequence. Or, to state the
+argument in another form, good seems generally to be the object or final
+cause of evil, whereas evil flows only incidentally from good.</p>
+
+<p>This argument scarcely differs from the last, except in the more general
+form of its statement. That brings forward certain prominent and appalling
+evils, and endeavors to show that, in striking the balance of their
+effects, the preponderance is on the side of benevolence. This advances a
+step farther, and attempts to show that the direct object of evil is to
+produce good.</p>
+
+<p>It follows, hence, that the examples adduced and elucidated under the last
+argument are not inappropriate to sustain and illustrate the present. Yet
+others should be added.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>Almost the entire history of medicine and surgery illustrates the manner
+in which physical evils result in physical good. Indeed, men never resort
+to the physician, or the surgeon, because their remedies and operations
+are desirable, but only because they are the necessary means of health and
+comfort. These means are, indeed, for the most part, of human invention,
+but not, therefore, the less indicative of the divine intention; for they
+are founded upon such a constitution in nature as makes it possible to
+discover remedies for disease and accidents. And the characteristics of
+nature&#8217;s constitution are an index of the intentions of its Author.</p>
+
+<p>The severe mental discipline through which the youth must pass, who would
+attain distinction in learning, affords us an example of intellectual evil
+resulting in intellectual wealth and happiness. The trial is too severe
+for many irresolute minds, and they give over the effort, and sink down
+into a state of indolence and neglect. But he who bears manfully the
+discipline will at length gather the golden fruit. And he will be
+satisfied, too, of the wisdom and benevolence of that law of mental
+progress, which makes it impossible ever to find a royal road to the
+temple of learning, and which shuts out from that temple all who shrink
+from the preparatory discipline.</p>
+
+<p>Still more strikingly illustrative of this argument are the evils which
+men suffer as necessary precursors of moral good. These may be physical or
+mental; embracing all those experiences that take the name of trials,
+afflictions, and disappointments. These are often intensely bitter, and
+they constitute, indeed, the master evils of life. We shudder when we see
+them coming; and we often writhe in agony when in the furnace. But how
+many have come out of that furnace purified from base alloy, and ready for
+the service of God and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> the world! To do good is henceforth their delight;
+and they thank God for the severe discipline. When his heavy blows fell
+upon them, one after another, they felt as if they were the strokes of an
+incensed Deity. But now they see that they were only the necessary
+inflictions of infinite love. And they admire the wisdom that could thus
+educe so much good out of so great evil.</p>
+
+<p>I do not contend that good is always educed from evil in this world, or
+could be; but only that, in a plurality of cases, if men improve the evils
+they suffer as they might, such would be the effect. And if this be
+admitted, it is sufficient to establish the general principle, that one of
+the direct objects of evil in this world is to produce individual benefit.</p>
+
+<p>But the converse of this proposition cannot be maintained. We cannot,
+indeed, deny that evil sometimes results from good; but never as the
+direct object of the latter. The effect is only incidental; that is, not
+as the main object; and so a few cases of this sort cannot invalidate the
+proposition which I defend.</p>
+
+<p>I might multiply much more the arguments furnished by nature to prove a
+predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and operations of the
+present system of things. But I see no way of escaping the force of those
+presented, and cannot doubt that all will admit the conclusion. I advance,
+therefore to a second proposition, and maintain that <i>the benevolence
+exhibited in the present system of nature is not unmixed</i>.</p>
+
+<p>I mean, by this statement, that the divine benevolence exhibited in this
+world is modified by other perfections. While there is a predominance of
+benevolence, there are also indications of God&#8217;s displeasure; or, at
+least, his dealings seem to be adapted to restrain and amend a wicked
+race, rather than to make an innocent and holy race happy; so that the
+condition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> of the human family is far less happy than unmixed benevolence
+would confer.</p>
+
+<p>In proof of this assertion, I maintain, first, that evil is incidental to
+every process and event in nature.</p>
+
+<p>This is pre&euml;minently true of all those actions which we call vicious.
+Indeed, they are in themselves evils of the worst kind; and not only so,
+but they are connected incidentally with scarcely any thing but evil,
+though sometimes, as theologians say, overruled for good.</p>
+
+<p>Take next the common operations of nature, which, of course, have no moral
+character. Their leading design, as we have already seen, is to produce
+good to sentient beings; but incidentally they bring much evil. Food is
+intended for gustatory enjoyment and for nourishment; but it is often the
+occasion of severe suffering, and becomes an active poison. Gravity is
+intended to hold the material universe in a proper balance, and to attach
+every moving thing on earth to the surface; but it occasions a vast number
+of accidents, and a vast amount of suffering. Water and fire are of
+immense direct benefit; yet the first buries a vast amount of property and
+life in its bosom, and the latter is scarcely less injurious in its
+incidental effects. Indeed, what natural agency can be named, that is not
+armed with the power to do evil?</p>
+
+<p>But the same principle extends also to benevolent actions. With our views
+of divine benevolence, we might expect that virtuous conduct would never
+be coupled with evil. But this notion does not accord with facts; for the
+incidental evils connected with benevolent action are often the most
+painful in life. Indeed, in how many instances has doing good been
+rewarded by the loss of life, and under all the aggravations of suffering
+which malignant ingenuity could invent! And the fact has been, that those
+whose motives in doing good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> were the purest have suffered the most.
+Witness the life and the death of Him who knew no sin, and yet was led as
+a lamb to the slaughter. Since wickedness in this world is sometimes
+allowed to have the power of annoying goodness we might expect that the
+more disinterested the latter, the more malignant and persecuting would be
+the former, because its own deformity is made more manifest.</p>
+
+<p>But the incidental evils connected with benevolent action are not limited
+to those resulting from the malice of the wicked. If, for instance, some
+huge system of iniquity has become incorporated into the very texture of
+society, benevolence cannot root it out without producing many a severe
+laceration of individuals, who are incidentally connected with the system,
+but to whom no blame attaches. The history of the efforts that have been
+made to substitute Christianity for heathenism and other false religions,
+is full of examples illustrative of this principle, in conformity with the
+remarkable declaration of Christ, <i>Think not that I am come to send peace
+on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.</i> Alike prolific of
+illustrations are all the great attempted reforms which the world has
+witnessed, whether for delivering religion from human corruptions, or
+eradicating slavery, or intemperance, or breaking the political yoke of
+the oppressor. In fine, no reasonable man ought to expect to do much good
+in this world, without suffering much himself and bringing some incidental
+suffering upon others.</p>
+
+<p>Now, although the evils that have been described are incidental, they
+belong to the constitution of this world, and, therefore, show the
+feelings and intentions of its Author, as much as those effects of his
+works which appear to be their final causes. But do not such evils,
+incidental to every event, indicate a feeling in the divine mind different
+from unmixed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> benevolence? Strictly speaking, these evils are not penal
+inflictions. But they certainly do not show in the Creator a simple desire
+to promote the happiness of men, by directly conferring it. They rather
+indicate a necessity, on account of some peculiarity in the character of
+man, of mingling severity with goodness in the divine conduct towards him.</p>
+
+<p>In thus representing incidental effects as indicative of the feelings of
+the Deity, I may seem to contradict my reasoning under the first head,
+where I gave, as proof of God&#8217;s benevolence, the fact that the direct
+object of every contrivance is beneficial, and evil only incidental. But I
+did not mean to intimate that the incidental effects of a contrivance are
+no index of the feelings of its author, but only that the direct effects
+show more clearly than the incidental what are his wishes and intentions,
+especially if the former are the most numerous, important, and striking.
+Still, incidental effects are never without an object; and where they are
+evil, as in the case supposed, they indicate other feelings towards men,
+in the divine mind, than unmixed benevolence. For it is a strange
+limitation of God&#8217;s wisdom and power to say, as some do, that the evils
+could not be prevented.</p>
+
+<p>It may be said, however, that if men only conform to the laws of nature,
+they will escape all the evils they suffer. On the other hand, I
+maintain,&mdash;and this constitutes my second argument to show that the divine
+benevolence is not unmixed,&mdash;I maintain that the highest virtue and the
+most consummate prudence cannot avoid all the evils of life.</p>
+
+<p>Such prudence and virtue will not secure any one against many destructive
+natural agencies and operations to which he is exposed. Miasms productive
+of fatal disease may contaminate the atmosphere we breathe, unperceived by
+us; poison may exist in the food which we take as our necessary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>
+sustenance; the mechanical violence of the elements, or of gravity, may
+crush us; the lightning may smite us to the earth; the wild beast may rush
+from his unnoticed lair as we pass; or the deadly insect, or serpent, may
+inject its poison into our blood at an unexpected moment; or the floods
+may overwhelm, or the fire consume us.</p>
+
+<p>Now, although prudence and virtue may defend us against many evils, they
+afford no security against such as I have named, in very many instances.
+We are often ignorant of their existence or proximity till we become their
+victims, and suffering, often intense, is the consequence. Indeed, the
+greatest of all physical evils&mdash;I mean death&mdash;is as sure to visit every
+son and daughter of Adam as any event can be; and nothing but insanity, or
+its religious synonyme, fanaticism, has ever pretended to be proof against
+disease and death. You cannot, indeed, point out any particular organ or
+agency, whose direct object is to produce disease and death; but they are
+nevertheless the inevitable result of organic operations and agencies in
+such a world as this.</p>
+
+<p>It will be said, perhaps, that the good resulting to the whole from even
+the most severe of these sufferings, overbalances the evil, and therefore
+they are indications of benevolence in such a world as ours. True, as
+things are, this may be so. But the question is, Why is there such a
+constitution given to nature as made it necessary to introduce disease,
+accident, and death? Would not unmixed benevolence have conferred the
+good, but have withheld the evil? Had there not been something in man&#8217;s
+character requiring the discipline of trials, would pure benevolence have
+sent them? At least, we should suppose that they might all have been
+avoided by prudence and virtue. Why should benevolence make such severe
+drawbacks upon the happiness even of the virtuous,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> if something were not
+radically wrong in the human constitution?</p>
+
+<p>Thirdly. The great sterility of so large a part of the earth, and the
+necessity of severe bodily labor to secure sustenance from it, show us
+that the benevolence exhibited in nature and in man&#8217;s condition is not
+unmixed. Though some limited regions are exuberantly fertile, the larger
+part of the earth yields up even a mere sustenance only after the severest
+labor. And the vast majority of the race can do nothing more than to
+obtain food for the body. The artificial state of most societies does,
+indeed, keep the lower classes much more depressed than a better state of
+the world would bring them into; but at the best, nature unites with
+revelation in attesting the truth of the sentence passed upon man&mdash;<i>In the
+sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.</i></p>
+
+<p>Nor is this necessity for severe labor confined to the cultivation of the
+earth, but extends to all kinds of human pursuits. Success, as a general
+fact, can be secured only by vigorous industry; and often, in spite of
+their most honest and persevering efforts, men fail of securing even a
+competence for the support of themselves and their dependants.</p>
+
+<p>Some will say that all this arises from a necessity in the very nature of
+the case. But does not such a view limit the divine power and wisdom?
+Could not God have prepared a world more paradisiacal than the present,
+where the earth should spontaneously yield her fruits, and pour out her
+hidden treasures at man&#8217;s feet? Who will deny this? Why, then, has he not
+done it? Because obviously a race so prone to evil as man, so incapable of
+maintaining his integrity in the lap of ease and indulgence, needs all
+this severe discipline to keep him where he ought to be. Here, then, we
+see a reason why God must mingle seeming severity with benevolence.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>The same thing is seen, in the fourth place, in the confined and depressed
+condition of the human mind in this world, and in the multiplied obstacles
+in the way of its cultivation and enlargement.</p>
+
+<p>What a clog to the intellect is a body governed by gross appetites, and
+often stopping the ingress of truth, or perverting its aspect, by
+disordered and imperfect senses! Nearly one third of the time must that
+intellect sink into oblivion, while sleep recruits the physical powers.
+And nearly another third of life must be given to the wants of the body;
+and as we have seen, the great mass of men are obliged to devote nearly
+their whole time to serve the necessary wants of the body. What an
+incalculable waste of mind does the world exhibit! And even when all
+artificial and unnecessary obstructions are taken out of the way, what an
+immense waste must it always present, while in so gross a corporeal
+tenement! for were it free to exhibit its true nature, we cannot doubt its
+power of unwearied and incessant activity. And such might have been its
+condition here, had it pleased infinite wisdom and benevolence. But what
+unmixed benevolence would have prompted, perfect wisdom would not permit
+to fallen man.</p>
+
+<p>I feel confident that my first two propositions are established, viz.,
+that there is a predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and
+operations of the present world, and yet that it is not unmixed
+benevolence. I advance to a third proposition, which asserts that <i>the
+same mixed system of good and evil, which now exists, has always prevailed
+since the earth was inhabited</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Geology shows us the true succession of events since the first appearance
+of organic beings on the globe, but no chronological dates are registered
+on the rocks. And it is only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> by observing processes in existing nature,
+analogous to those whose record is engraven on the solid strata, that we
+can infer that the years since life first appeared on the surface must
+have been very many. But however far back in the hoary past that event
+occurred, we have indisputable evidence that the same laws then controlled
+the operations of nature as now, and the result was the same mixture of
+good and evil.</p>
+
+<p>In the crystalline structure, and in the perfect crystals of the older
+rocks, we learn the laws which predominated at their production. And we
+find that the same chemical, electrical, and electro-magnetical influences
+presided over their formation as are now exhibited in the laboratory of
+the chemist or the laboratory of nature. Now, these crystals conduct us
+back much farther than the dawn of terrestrial life, though similar ones,
+and produced by the same laws, are found through the whole series of
+rocks, from the oldest to the newest. And I might appeal to many other
+facts in the earth&#8217;s history, which demonstrate an identity between the
+physical laws that have controlled nature&#8217;s processes in every period of
+past time.</p>
+
+<p>We have evidence, also, of the same identity in the laws of life, or
+organic laws. In the anatomical structure of the earliest animals and
+plants we find the same general type that pervades the present creation,
+modified only, as it now is, to meet peculiar circumstances. This is true
+not only of the osseous, but also of the muscular, circulatory, nervous,
+lymphatic, and nutritive organs. Hence, as we might expect, we have
+evidence of the prevalence of the same functional or physiological laws
+then, as now. Respiration was performed, as it now is, and with the same
+effects. Vegetable and animal food was then, as now, masticated, digested,
+and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> assimilated; and since animals possessed the same senses, we infer
+that their habits were essentially the same. There is not, indeed, any
+evidence that ancient animals and plants exhibited any peculiarities of
+structure or function, save those necessary to adapt them to the
+circumstances, so unlike the present, in many respects, in which they
+lived.</p>
+
+<p>We are sure, also, that death has ever reigned over all organic nature. It
+has always been produced by the same causes, and attended by the same
+suffering. And its ravages were repaired by the same system of
+reproduction as now exists. All this we might presume would be the case,
+upon the discovery of an identity of laws, mechanical, chemical, and
+organic; but we have direct evidence, also, in the countless remains of
+animals and plants entombed in the rocks, more than twenty thousand
+species of which have been disinterred by naturalists and described.</p>
+
+<p>I might multiply facts almost without number to sustain the position, that
+the same mixed system has ever prevailed upon the globe; for geology is
+full of the details. But in a subsequent lecture, the subject will be more
+amply discussed.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the facts respecting the divine benevolence, as they are
+presented in the volume of nature. Though benevolence decidedly
+predominates, it is modified by other divine attributes, and ever has
+been, since organic existence began upon the globe. Let us now, <i>in the
+fourth place, see what inferences are fairly deducible from the whole
+subject</i>. For those inferences, if I mistake not, will not only clear away
+every cloud from the divine benevolence, but throw much light upon man&#8217;s
+condition.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, the subject shows us that the world is not in a state
+of retribution.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>As a general fact, virtue is to some extent rewarded, and vice to some
+extent punished. But it is not always so. Indeed, the picture is sometimes
+reversed apparently; and the good are afflicted because they do good, and
+the wicked triumph because they do evil. Evil abounds, but it is not so
+distributed as righteous retribution would award it; neither is good.
+Since, therefore, God&#8217;s justice must be infinitely perfect, there must be
+some other object for the prevalence of good and evil in the world besides
+righteous retribution.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly. We learn from the subject that the world is in a fallen
+condition.</p>
+
+<p>I mean, that man has fallen from holiness and happiness. For the world is
+evidently not such a world as infinite wisdom and benevolence would
+prepare for a being perfectly holy and happy. Philosophize as we may, we
+cannot discover any reason why the abode of such a being should be filled
+with evils of almost every name&mdash;evils which the most consummate prudence
+and the most elevated virtue cannot wholly avoid&mdash;evils which often come
+upon the good man because he is eminent for holiness. But if man has
+fallen from original holiness and happiness by transgression, we might
+expect just such a world to be fitted up for his residence, because evil
+is indissolubly linked to sin, perhaps in the very nature of things,
+certainly by divine appointment. We know that it brings a curse upon every
+thing with which it is connected; and here we see a reason for the blight
+that has marred some of the fairest features of nature, and introduced
+pain and suffering into the animal frame, and brought a cloud over man&#8217;s
+noble intellect, and hebetude over his moral powers. Such a fallen
+condition will explain what no other supposition can, viz., the clouded,
+fettered, and depressed condition of all organic nature.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>Yet, thirdly. We should not infer that man&#8217;s condition was hopeless, but
+rather that mercy might be in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>The very fact that the world is not in a state of retribution would seem
+to afford hope that God had other purposes than punishment in allowing
+evil to be introduced. And then the vast predominance of benevolence and
+happiness around us cannot but inspire hope for the fallen.</p>
+
+<p>This will be still more manifest if we infer, and can show, fourthly, that
+the world is in a state of probation or trial.</p>
+
+<p>By this I mean that men are placed in a condition for the trial and
+discipline of their characters, in order to fit them for a higher state.
+If fallen and depraved, they need to pass through such a discipline before
+they can be prepared for that higher condition. And surely no one can
+observe the scenes through which all pass, without being struck with their
+eminent adaptedness to train man to virtue and holiness. Until we have
+been pupils for a time in this school, we are not fit even for the
+successive states in this life into which we pass; much less for a higher
+condition. But there is a marvellous power in this discipline to prepare
+us for both, as vast multitudes have testified while they lived and when
+they died. Even death seems, so far as we can see, to be the only means by
+which a sinful being can be delivered from his stains; and the dread of
+this terrific evil is one of the most powerful restraints upon vice, and
+stimulants to virtue. There is, in fact, no condition in which man is
+placed, no good or evil that he meets, which is not eminently adapted, if
+rightly improved, to discipline and strengthen his virtue. Hence we cannot
+doubt that this is the grand object of the present arrangements of the
+world. True, if misimproved, the same means become only a discipline in
+vice. But this is only in conformity with a general principle of the
+divine government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> that the things which rightly used are highly
+salutary, are proportionably injurious when perverted.</p>
+
+<p>Fifthly. The subject shows us a reason why suffering and death prevailed
+in this world long before man&#8217;s existence.</p>
+
+<p>God foresaw&mdash;I will not say foreordained, though he certainly permitted
+it&mdash;that man would transgress; and, therefore, he made a world adapted to
+a sinful fallen being, rather than to one pure and holy. If he had adapted
+it to an unfallen being, and then changed it upon his apostasy, that
+change must have amounted to a new creation. For, as I have endeavored to
+show in a previous lecture, (Lecture III.,) the whole constitution of our
+world, and even its relations to other worlds, must have been altered to
+fit it for a being who had sinned. To have introduced such a one into a
+world fitted up for the perfectly holy, would have been a curse instead of
+
+a blessing. It was benevolence on the part of God to allow evil to abound
+in a world which was to be the residence of a sinful creature; for the
+discipline of such a state was the only chance of his being rescued from
+the power of sin, and restored to the divine favor.</p>
+
+<p>It may be thought, however, inconsistent with divine benevolence to place
+the inferior, irrational animals in a condition of suffering because man
+would transgress, and thus punish creatures incapable of sinning for his
+transgression.</p>
+
+<p>Animals do, indeed, suffer in such a world as ours; but not as a
+punishment for their own or man&#8217;s sin. The only question is, Do they
+suffer so much that their existence is not a blessing? Surely experience
+will decide, without inquiring as to their future existence, that their
+enjoyments, as a general fact, vastly outweigh their sufferings; and hence
+their existence indicates benevolence. It should also be recollected that
+their natures are adapted to a world of sin and death,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> and they are
+doubtless more happy here than they would be in a different condition,
+which might be more favorable to unfallen accountable beings.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. This subject harmonizes infinite and perfect benevolence in God
+with the existence of evil on earth.</p>
+
+<p>This is the grand problem of theology; and though I would not say that our
+reasoning clears it of all difficulties, yet it does seem to me that, by
+letting the light of this subject fall upon the question, we come nearer
+to its solution than by viewing it in any other aspect. For this subject
+shows us that benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements
+of the material universe, and then it assigns good reasons why this
+benevolence is not unmixed; in other words, why severity is sometimes
+mingled with goodness. It shows us that God, with a prospective view of
+man&#8217;s sin, adapted the world to a fallen being; making it, instead of a
+place of unmingled happiness, a state of trial and discipline; not as a
+full punishment, (for that is reserved to a future state,) but as an
+essential means of delivering this immortal being from his ruin and
+misery, and of fitting him for future and endless holiness and happiness.
+Thus, instead of indicating indifference or malevolence in God, because he
+introduced evil into the world, it is a striking evidence of his
+benevolence. Such a plan is, in fact, the conjoint result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence for rescuing the miserable and the lost. Had God
+placed such a being in a world adapted to one perfectly holy, his
+sufferings would have been vastly greater, and his rescue hopeless.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far do both reason and revelation conduct us in a plain path; and
+that, probably, is as far as is necessary for all the purposes of
+religion. Up to this point, infinite benevolence pours its radiance upon
+the path, and we see good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> reasons for the evils incident to this life;
+nay, we see that they are the result of that same benevolence which strews
+the way with blessings; that, in fact, they are only necessary means of
+the greatest blessings. I am aware that there is a question lying farther
+back, in the outskirts of metaphysical theology, which still remains
+unanswered, and probably never can be settled in this world, because some
+of its elements are beyond our reach. The inquisitive mind asks why it was
+necessary for infinite wisdom and power to introduce evil, or allow it to
+be introduced, into any system of created things. Could not such natures
+have been bestowed upon creatures, that good only might have been their
+portion? A plausible answer is, that evil exists because it can ultimately
+be made subservient of greater good, taking the whole universe into
+account, than another system. Certainly to fallen man we have reason to
+believe natural evils are the grand means of his highest good; and hence
+we derive an argument for the same conclusion in respect to the whole
+system of evil. Indeed, such are the divine attributes, that it is absurd
+to suppose God would create any system which was not the best possible in
+existing circumstances. But even though we cannot solve these questions in
+their abstract form, and as applied to the whole creation, it is
+sufficient for every practical purpose of religion if we can show, as we
+have endeavored to do in this lecture, how the present system of the world
+for a fallen being illustrates, instead of disproving, the divine
+benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>Here, then, is the resolution of some of the darkest enigmas of human
+existence, which philosophy, unaided by revelation, has never solved. Here
+we get hold of the thread that conducts us through the most crooked
+labyrinths of life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> and enables us to let into the deepest dungeons of
+despondency and doubt, the light of hope and of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Here, too, we find the powerful glass by which we can pierce the clouds
+that have so long obscured the full-orbed splendors of the divine
+benevolence. To some, indeed,&mdash;and they sagacious philosophers,&mdash;that
+cloud has seemed surcharged only with vengeance. And even to those who
+have caught occasional glimpses of the noble orb behind, the cloud over
+its face has always seemed to be tinged with some angry rays. Indeed, so
+long as this is a sinful state, justice will not allow all the glories of
+the divine goodness to be revealed. And yet, through the glass which
+philosophy and faith have put into our hands, we can see that the disk is
+a full-orbed circle, and that no spots mar and darken its clear surface.
+How gloriously, then, when all those clouds shall have passed away, and
+the last taint of evil shall have been blotted out by the final
+conflagration, shall that sun, in the new heavens, send down its light and
+heat upon the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness!</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, how sad the prospect which the analogies of this
+subject open before him who misimproves his earthly probation, and goes
+out of the world unprepared for a higher and purer state of existence! If
+we can see reasons why on earth God should mingle goodness and severity in
+this man&#8217;s lot, we can also see reasons why the manifestations of
+benevolence should all be withdrawn when he passes into a state of
+retribution. For if an individual can resist the mighty influences for
+good which the present state of discipline affords, and only become worse
+under them all, his case is utterly hopeless, and Heaven can do no more,
+consistently with the eternal principles of the divine government, to
+save<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> him. Infinite benevolence gives him over, and no longer holds back
+the sword of retributive justice. Nay, the justice which inflicts the
+punishment is only benevolence in another form. And this it is that makes
+the infliction intolerable. How much more terrible to the wayward child
+are the blows inflicted by a weeping, affectionate father, than if
+received from an enemy! God is that affectionate Father; and he punishes
+only because he loves the universe more than the individual; and he has
+exhausted the stores of infinite mercy in vain to save him. Wicked men
+sometimes tell us that they are not afraid to trust themselves in the
+hands of infinite benevolence; whereas it is eminently this quality of the
+divine character which, above all others, they have reason to fear. For
+if, even in this world of probation and hope, God finds it necessary to
+mingle so much severity with goodness, what but a cup of unmingled
+bitterness shall be put into his hands who goes into eternity unrenewed
+and unpardoned, and finds that even infinite benevolence has become his
+eternal enemy!</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_VIII" id="LECTURE_VIII"></a>LECTURE VIII.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE WORLD&#8217;S HISTORY.</span></p>
+
+<p>Contrivance, adaptation, and design are some of the most striking features
+of the natural world. They are obvious throughout the whole range of
+creation, in the minutest as well as in the most magnificent objects; in
+the most complicated as well as in the most simple. So universally present
+are they, that whenever we meet with any thing in nature which seems
+imperfectly adapted to other objects, as the organ of an animal or plant,
+which exhibits malformation, it excites general attention, and the mere
+child need not be told that, in its want of adaptation to other objects,
+it is an exception in the natural world.</p>
+
+<p>In order to illustrate what I mean by contrivance, adaptation, and design,
+let me refer to a familiar example&mdash;the human eye. Made up of three coats
+and three humors, of solids and fluids, of nerves, blood-vessels, and
+muscles, and rivalling the most perfect optical instrument, it must have
+required the most consummate contrivance to give the requisite quantity
+and position to parts so numerous and unlike, for producing the phenomena
+of vision. Yet how perfectly it is done! How few, out of the hundreds of
+millions of eyes of men and other animals, fail of vision through any
+natural defect!</p>
+
+<p>No less marvellous are the adaptations of the eye. In order to be adapted
+to the wonderful effect which we call<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> light, its coats and humors must be
+transparent, and possess a certain density and opacity, that the rays may
+form an image on the retina. Yet to prevent confusion in the image, the
+transparency must be confined to the central parts of the eye, and a dark
+plexus of veins and muscles must be so situated as to absorb the
+scattering rays. In order to adapt the eye to different distances, and to
+the greater or less intensity of the light, delicate muscles must be so
+situated as to contract and dilate the pupil, and lengthen and shorten the
+axis. That the eye might be directed to different objects, strong muscles
+must be attached to its posterior surface; and that the eyelid might
+defend it from injuries in front, a very peculiar muscle must give it
+power to close. No less perfect is the adaptation of the eye to the
+atmosphere, or, rather, there is a mutual adaptation; and it is as proper
+to say that the atmosphere is adapted to the eye, as that the eye is
+adapted to the atmosphere. In like manner, there is a striking relation
+between the eye and the sun and other heavenly bodies, and between the eye
+and day and night; so that we cannot doubt but they were made for one
+another. We might, indeed, extend the relations of the eye to every object
+in the universe; and the same may be said of every organ of plants and
+animals. The adaptation between them is as wide as creation. And it is the
+wonderful harmony between so many millions of objects that makes us feel
+that infinite wisdom alone could have produced it.</p>
+
+<p>The design of the multiplied contrivances and adaptations exhibited by the
+eye is too obvious to need a formal statement. Comparatively few
+understand the wonderful mechanism of the eye; but we should consider it
+proof of idiotism, or insanity, for the weakest mind to doubt what is the
+object of the eye. This is, to be sure, a striking example. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> out of
+the many organs of animals, how few are there of which we do not see the
+design! And as the subject is more examined, the few excepted cases are
+made still fewer. They are more numerous in plants, because we cannot so
+well understand them, and because of their microscopic littleness. They
+are so few, however, throughout all nature, that they never produce a
+doubt that, for every individual thing in creation, there is a distinct
+object. If we confine our views to the most simple parts of matter, we can
+see design in them. If we take a wider view, and examine those minor
+systems which are produced by the grouping of the elements of matter, we
+shall see design there; and if we rise still higher in our examination,
+and compare systems still more extensive, until we group all material
+things, wise and beautiful design is still inscribed upon all. In fine,
+creation is but a series of harmonies, wheel within wheel, in countless
+variety, yet all forming one vast and perfect machine. Examine nature as
+widely and as minutely as we may, we never find one part clashing with
+another part; no laws, governing one portion of creation, different from
+those governing the others. Amid nature&#8217;s infinitely diversified
+productions and operations we find but one original model or pattern. As
+Dr. Paley finely expresses it, &#8220;We never get amongst such original or
+totally different modes of existence as to indicate that we are come into
+the province of a different Creator, or under the direction of a different
+will.&#8221; All appears to have been the work of one mighty mind, capable of
+devising and creating the vast system so perfectly that every part shall
+beautifully harmonize with every other part; a mind capable of holding in
+its capacious grasp at once the entire system, and seeing the relation and
+dependence of all its parts, from the minutest atom up to the mightiest
+world. In short, the unity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> of design which pervades all creation is
+perfect, more so than we witness in the most finished machine of human
+construction; for</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;In human works, though labored on with pain,<br />
+A thousand movements scarce one object gain;<br />
+In God&#8217;s, one single can its end produce,<br />
+Yet serves to second too some other use.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Such are the wonderful contrivance, adaptation, and design which the
+material world every where exhibits. But the geologist carries us back
+through periods of immense antiquity, and digs out from the deep strata
+evidences of other systems of organic life, which have flourished and
+passed away; other economies, which have existed on the globe anterior to
+the present. And how was it with these? Had they any relation to the
+existing system? Were they governed by different laws, or are they all but
+parts of one great and harmonious system, embracing the whole of the
+earth&#8217;s past duration? We could not decide these questions beforehand; but
+geology brings to light unequivocal evidence that the latter supposition
+is the true one; that is, in the language of the poet,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;All are but parts of one stupendous whole,<br />
+Whose body nature is, and God the soul.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>To present the evidence of this conclusion will be my object in this
+lecture.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, the laws of chemistry and crystallography,
+electricity and magnetism, have ever been the same in all past conditions
+of the earth.</i></p>
+
+<p>Chemistry has attained to such a degree of perfection that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> the analyst
+can now determine the composition of the various vegetable, animal, and
+mineral substances which he meets, with an extreme degree of accuracy. In
+many instances, he can do this in two ways. He can always separate the
+elements which exist in a compound, and ascertain their relative quantity;
+and this is called <i>analysis</i>. And sometimes he can take those elements
+and cause them to unite, so as to form a particular compound; and this is
+called <i>synthesis</i>. By these methods he has ascertained that, amid the
+vast variety of substances in nature, there are only about sixty-four
+which cannot be reduced to a more simple form, and are therefore called
+<i>elements</i>, or simple substances. Now, the chemist finds that, when these
+elements unite to form compounds, certain fixed laws are invariably
+followed. They combine in definite quantities, which are always the same,
+or some multiple of the same weight; so that each element has its peculiar
+and invariable combining weight; and it cannot be made to combine in any
+other proportion. You may mix two or more elements together in any
+proportion, but it is only a certain definite quantity of each that will
+combine, while the rest will remain in excess. Hence the same compound
+substance, from whatever part of the world it comes, or under however
+diverse circumstances produced, consists of the same ingredients in the
+same proportion. These laws are followed with mathematical precision, and
+we have reason to believe that the same compound substance, produced in
+different parts of the world, never differs in its composition by the
+smallest conceivable particle. Indeed, with the exception of the planetary
+motions and crystallography, chemical combination is the most perfect
+example of practical mathematics to be found in nature.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the laws which the chemist finds invariably to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> regulate all the
+changes that now take place in the constitution of bodies. What evidence
+is there that the same laws have ever prevailed? In the rocks we have
+chemical compounds, produced in all ages of the world&#8217;s history, since
+fire and water began to form solid masses. Now, these may be, and have
+been, analyzed; and the same laws of definite proportion in the
+ingredients, which now operate, are found to have controlled their
+formation. The oldest granite and gneiss, which must have been the
+earliest rocks produced, are just as invariable in their composition as
+the most recent salt formed in the laboratory. And the same is true of the
+silicates, the carbonates, the sulphates, the oxides, chlorides,
+fluorides, and other compounds which constitute the rocks of different
+ages. We never find any produced under the operation of different laws.</p>
+
+<p>Now, the almost invariable opinion among chemists is, that the reason why
+the elements unite thus definitely is, that they are in different
+electrical states, and therefore attract one another. Hence the most
+important laws of electricity have been coeval with those of chemistry;
+indeed, they are identical; nor can we doubt, if such be the fact, that
+every other electrical law has remained unchanged from the beginning. And
+from the intimate connection, if not complete identity, between
+electricity and magnetism, it is impossible to doubt that the laws which
+regulate the latter are of equal antiquity with those of the former.
+Indeed, we find evidence in all the rocks, especially those which are
+prismatic and concretionary, of the active influence of galvanism and
+electro-magnetism in their production.</p>
+
+<p>The reasoning is equally decisive to prove the unchanging character of the
+laws which regulate the formation of crystals. The chemist finds that the
+same substance, when it <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>crystallizes, invariably takes the same
+geometrical forms. The nucleus or primary form, with a few exceptions, of
+no importance in the present argument, to which all these secondary forms
+may be reduced by change, is one particular solid, with unvarying angles;
+and all the secondary forms, built upon the primary, correspond in their
+angles. In short, in crystallography we have another example of perfect
+practical mathematics, as perfect as the theory.</p>
+
+<p>Now, the oldest rocks in the globe contain crystals, and so do the rocks
+of all ages, sometimes of the same kind as those produced in the chemist&#8217;s
+laboratory. And they are found to correspond precisely. It matters not
+whether they were the produce of nature&#8217;s laboratory countless ages ago,
+or of the skill of the nineteenth century,&mdash;the same mathematics ruled in
+their formation with a precision which infinite wisdom alone could secure.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, the laws of meteorology have ever been the same as
+at present.</i></p>
+
+<p>Under meteorological laws I include all atmospheric phenomena. And
+although we have no direct proof from geology in respect to the more rare
+of these phenomena, such as the aurora borealis and australis, and
+transient meteors, yet in respect to the existence of clouds, wind, and
+rain, the evidence is quite striking. In several places in Europe, and in
+many in this country, are found, upon layers of the new red sandstone, the
+distinct impressions of rain drops, made when the rock was fine mud. They
+correspond precisely with the indentations which falling rain-drops now
+make upon mud, and they show us that the phenomena of clouds and storms
+existed in that remote period, and that the vapor was condensed as at
+present. In the fact that the animals entombed in the rocks of various
+ages are found to have had organs of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> respiration, we also infer the
+existence of an atmosphere analogous to that which we now breathe. The
+rain-drops enable us to proceed one step farther; for often they are
+elongated in one direction, showing that they struck the ground obliquely,
+doubtless in consequence of wind. In short, the facts stated enable us to
+infer, with strong probability, that atmospheric phenomena were then
+essentially the same as at present; and analogy leads us to a similar
+conclusion as to all the past periods of the world&#8217;s history, certainly
+since animals were placed upon it. What a curious register do these
+rain-drops present us! an engraving on stone of a shower that fell
+thousands and thousands of ages ago! They often become, too, an
+anemoscope, pointing out the direction of the wind, while the petrified
+surface shows us just how many drops fell, quite as accurately as the most
+delicate pluviameter. What events in the earth&#8217;s pre-Adamic history would
+seem less likely to come down to us than the pattering of a shower?</p>
+
+<p><i>In the third place, the agents of geological change appear to have been
+always the same on the earth.</i></p>
+
+<p>Whoever goes into a careful examination of the rocks will soon become
+satisfied that no fragment of them all remains in the condition in which
+it was originally created. Whatever was the original form in which matter
+was produced, there is no longer any example of it to be found. The
+evidence of these changes is as strong almost as that constant changes are
+going on in human society. And we find them constantly progressing among
+the rocks, as well as among men; nor do the agents by which they are
+produced appear to have been ever different from those now in operation.
+The two most important are heat and water; and it is doubtful whether
+there is a single particle of the globe which has not experienced the
+metamorphic action of the one or the other. Indeed, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> nearly certain
+that every portion of the globe has been melted, if not volatilized. All
+the unstratified rocks have certainly been fused, and probably all the
+stratified rocks originated from the unstratified, and have been modified
+by water and heat. In many of these rocks, especially the oldest, we
+perceive evidence of the joint action of both these agents. Evidently they
+were once aqueous deposits; but they appear to have been subsequently
+subjected to powerful heat. As we ascend on the scale of the stratified
+rocks, the marks of fire diminish, and those of water multiply, so that
+the latest are mere mechanical or chemical depositions from water.</p>
+
+<p>In these facts, then, we see proof that heat and water have been the chief
+agents of geological change since the first formation of a solid crust on
+the globe; for some of the rocks now accessible, as already stated, date
+their origin at that early period. We might also trace back the agency of
+heat much farther, if the hypothesis adopted by not a few eminent
+geologists be true, which supposes the earth to have been once in a
+gaseous state from intense heat. But to press this point will add very
+little to my argument, even could I sustain it by plausible reasoning. I
+will only say, that, so far as we know any thing of the state of the earth
+previous to the consolidation of its crust, heat appears to have been the
+chief agent concerned in its geological changes.</p>
+
+<p>Among other agencies of less importance, that have always operated
+geologically, is gravity. Its chief effect, at present is to bring the
+earth&#8217;s surface nearer and nearer to a level, by causing the materials,
+which other agencies have loosened from its salient parts, to subside into
+its cavities and valleys. It also condenses many substances from a gaseous
+to a liquid or solid state, especially those deep in the earth&#8217;s crust,
+and thus brings the particles more within the reach of cohesive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>
+attraction and chemical affinity, often changing the constitution, and
+always the solidity, of bodies. And in the position of the ancient
+mechanical rocks, occupying as they do the former basins of the surface,
+and in the superior consolidation of the earlier strata, we find proof of
+the action of gravity in all past geological time.</p>
+
+<p>Electricity too, in the form of galvanism, has never been idle. We have
+reason to think that it operates at this moment in accumulating metallic
+ores in veins; and this segregation appears to have operated in all ages,
+not only in filling veins, but also, probably, in giving a laminated
+character and jointed structure to mountains of slate, as well as a
+concretionary and prismatic form to others.</p>
+
+<p>Last, though not least, we may reckon among the agents of geological
+change the forces of cohesion and affinity. When water and heat, gravity
+and galvanism, have brought the atoms of bodies into a proper state, these
+agents are always ready to change their form and constitution; and they
+have ever been at hand to operate by the same laws, and we witness their
+effects in the oldest as well as the newest rocks found in the earth&#8217;s
+crust. This point, however, has been sufficiently considered, when
+treating of the unvarying uniformity of the laws of chemistry and
+crystallography.</p>
+
+<p>But though the nature of the agencies above considered has never changed,
+the intensity or amount of their action has varied; how much is a point
+not yet settled among geologists. Some regard that intensity, as it has
+existed during the present or alluvial period, as a standard for all
+preceding periods; that is, the intensity of these forces has never varied
+more during any period of the earth&#8217;s history than it has since the
+alluvial period commenced. Most geologists, however, regard this as an
+extreme opinion, and think they see evidence in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> geology of a far greater
+intensity in these agencies in past periods than exists at present. They
+think they have proof that the world was once only a molten mass of
+matter, and some evidence that previously it was in a state of vapor. They
+believe that vast mountains, and even continents, have sometimes been
+thrown up from the ocean&#8217;s bed by a single mighty paroxysmal effort; and
+such effects they know to be far greater than the causes of change now in
+operation can produce, without a vast increase of their intensity. But
+this question need neither be discussed nor decided for the sake of my
+present argument, since my object is to prove an identity in the nature
+and laws, not in the intensity, of geological agencies.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fourth place, the laws of zo&ouml;logy and botany have always been the
+same on the globe.</i></p>
+
+<p>An examination of the animals now living, amounting to some hundred
+thousand species, perhaps to one or two millions, shows that they may be
+arranged in four great classes. The first class embraces the vertebral
+animals, distinguished by having a vertebral column, or back-bone, a
+regular skeleton, and a regular nervous system. It comprehends all the
+quadrupeds and bipeds, with man at their head, and is much superior to all
+other classes in complexity of organization and strength of the mental
+powers. The second class embraces the mollusks, or animals inhabiting
+shells. They are destitute of a spinal marrow, and for the most part their
+muscles are attached to the external covering, called the shell, although
+this shell is sometimes internal. The third class are called articulated
+animals, having envelopes connected by annulated plates, or rings. It
+includes such animals as the lobster, bloodsucker, spider, and insects
+generally. The fourth class have a radiated structure, and often resemble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>
+plants, or their habitation is a stony structure. Hence they are sometimes
+called zo&ouml;phytes, which means <i>animal plants</i>; or lithophytes, which means
+<i>stony plants</i>. They swarm in the ocean, and some of them build up those
+extensive stony structures called coral reefs.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if we examine the descriptions of the organic remains in the rocks,
+we find that in all ages of the world these four great classes of animals
+have existed. But in the earliest times, the three last classes&mdash;the
+mollusks, the articulated, and the radiated tribes&mdash;vastly preponderated,
+while the vertebral class had only a few representatives; and it is not
+till we rise as high as the new red sandstone, that we meet with any,
+except fishes, save a few batrachians in the old red sandstone, and the
+carboniferous group, detected alone by their tracks. Then the reptiles
+began to appear in abundance, with tortoises and enormous birds of a low
+organization, but no mammiferous animal is found, until we reach the
+o&ouml;lite; and scarcely any till we rise to the tertiary strata, when they
+became abundant; but not so numerous as at present, though for the most
+part of larger size. Thus we find that the more perfect animals have been
+developed gradually, becoming more and more complex as we rise on the
+scale of the rocks. But in the three other classes, there does not appear
+to have been much advance upon the original types, although in numbers and
+variety there has been a great increase.</p>
+
+<p>The plants now growing upon the globe, amounting probably to nearly one
+hundred thousand species, are divided into two great classes, by a very
+decided character. Some of them have distinct flowers, and others are
+destitute of them. The former are called phenogamian, or flowering plants;
+and the latter cryptogamian, or flowerless plants.</p>
+
+<p>At present, the flowering plants very much predominate in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> the flora of
+every country. But in the earliest periods of organic existence, the
+reverse was the case. We find, indeed but very few flowering plants, and
+these of a character somewhat intermediate between flowering and
+flowerless; such as the conifer&aelig; and cycade&aelig;, including the pine tribe. A
+few palms appeared almost as early, and some other monocotyledons. But
+most of the dicotyledons did not appear till the tertiary period, where
+more than two hundred species have been found. Of the three hundred
+species found in and beneath the carboniferous group, two thirds are tree
+ferns, or gigantic equisetace&aelig;. More than one third of the entire flora of
+the secondary formation consists of cycade&aelig;; whereas, this family of
+plants forms not more than the two thousandth part of the existing flora.
+In short, we find the more perfect plants as well as animals to be few in
+the earliest periods, and to have been gradually introduced up to the
+present time. But as to the flowerless plants, most of them seem to have
+been as perfect at first as they now are.</p>
+
+<p>These facts teach us conclusively that the outlines of organic life on the
+globe have always been the same; that the great classes of animals and
+plants have always had their representatives, and that the variations
+which have been introduced, have been merely adaptations to the varying
+condition of the earth&#8217;s surface. The higher and more complex natures,
+both of animals and plants, were not introduced at first, because the
+surface was not adapted to their existence; and they were brought in only
+as circumstances, favorable to their development, prepared the way.</p>
+
+<p>There is another fact of great interest on this subject. Even a cursory
+examination of the animals and plants now on the globe, shows such a
+gradation of their characters that they form a sort of chain, extending
+from the most to the least <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>perfect species. But we see at once that the
+links of this chain are of very unequal length; or, rather, that there are
+in some instances wide intervals between the nearest species, as if one or
+more links had dropped out. How remarkable that some of these lost links
+should be found among the fossil species! I will refer to a few examples.</p>
+
+<p>Among existing animals no genera or tribes are more widely separated than
+those with thick skins, denominated pachydermata; such as the rhinoceros
+and the elephant. But among the fossil animals of the tertiary strata,
+this tribe of animals was much more common; and many of them fill up the
+blanks in the existing families, and thus render more perfect and uniform
+the great chain of being which binds together into one great system the
+present and past periods of organic life.</p>
+
+<p>A similar case occurs among fossil plants. In tropical climates we find a
+few species&mdash;not much over twenty&mdash;of a singular family of plants, the
+cycade&aelig; connecting the great families of conifer&aelig;, or dicotyledons, with
+the palms, which are monocotyledonous, and the ferns, which are
+acotyledonous. The chasm, however, between those great and dissimilar
+classes of plants is but imperfectly filled by the few living species of
+cycade&aelig;. But of the fossil species hitherto found above the coal
+formation, almost one half are cycade&aelig;; so that here, too, the lost links
+of the chain are supplied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Facts like these,&#8221; says Dr. Buckland, &#8220;are inestimably precious to the
+natural theologian, for they identify, as it were, the Artificer, by
+details of manipulation throughout his works. They appeal to the
+physiologist, in language more commanding than human eloquence; the voice
+of very stocks and stones, that have been buried for countless ages in the
+deep recesses of the earth, proclaiming the universal agency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> of one
+all-directing, all-sustaining Creator, in whose will and power these
+harmonious systems originated, and by whose universal providence they are,
+and have at all times been, maintained.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater Treatise</i>, vol. i.
+p. 502.</p>
+
+<p>One other fact, showing the identity of former zo&ouml;logical laws with those
+which now prevail, must not be omitted. I refer to the existence on the
+globe in all past periods of organic life of the two great classes of
+carnivorous and herbivorous animals; and they have always existed, too, in
+about the same proportion. To the harmony and happiness of the present
+system, we know that the existence and proper relative number of these
+different classes are indispensable. For in order that the greatest
+possible number of animals that live on vegetable food should exist, they
+must possess the power of rapid multiplication, so that there should be
+born a much larger number than is necessary to people the earth. But if
+there existed no carnivorous races to keep in check this redundancy of
+population, the world would soon become so filled with the herbivorous
+races that famine would be the consequence, and thus a much greater amount
+of suffering result than the sudden death inflicted by carnivorous races
+now produces. To preserve, then, a proper balance between the different
+species is, doubtless, the object of the creation of the carnivorous. This
+system has been aptly denominated &#8220;the police of nature.&#8221; And we find it
+to have always existed. The earliest vertebral animals&mdash;the sauroid fishes
+and sharks&mdash;were of this description. The sharks have always lived, but
+the sauroid fishes became less numerous when other marine saurians were
+created; and when they both nearly disappeared, during the tertiary
+period, other predaceous families were introduced, more like those now in
+existence.</p>
+
+<p>The history of the mollusks, or animals inhabiting shells,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> furnishes us
+with an example still more striking. These animals, as they now exist, are
+divisible into the two great classes of carnivorous and herbivorous
+species, being distinguished by their anatomical structure; and so has it
+ever been. In the fossiliferous rocks below the tertiary, we find immense
+numbers of nautili, ammonites, and other kindred genera of polythalamous
+shells, called cephalopods, which were all carnivorous. And when they
+nearly disappeared with the cretaceous period, there was created another
+race with carnivorous propensities and organs, called trachelipods; and
+those continue still to swarm in the ocean. Had they not appeared when the
+cephalopods passed away, the herbivorous tribes would have multiplied to
+such an extent as ultimately to destroy marine vegetation, and bring on
+famine among themselves.</p>
+
+<p>These examples are sufficient to prove the existence of the carnivorous
+and herbivorous races in all ages and in about the same relative numbers.
+And it certainly furnishes most decisive evidence of the oneness of all
+these systems of organic life on the globe.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fifth place, the laws of anatomy have always been the same since
+organic structures began to exist.</i></p>
+
+<p>It had long been known that the organs of animals were beautifully adapted
+to perform the functions for which they were intended. But it was not till
+the investigations of Baron Cuvier, within the last half century, that it
+was known how mathematically exact is the relation between the different
+parts of the animal frame, nor how precise are the laws of variation in
+the different species, by which they are fitted to different elements,
+climates, and food. It is now well known, that each animal structure
+contains a perfect system of correlation, and yet the whole forms a
+harmonious part of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>entire animal system on the globe. But the
+language of Cuvier himself will best elucidate this subject, so far as it
+is capable of popular explanation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every organized individual,&#8221; says he, &#8220;forms an entire system of its own;
+all the parts of which mutually correspond, and concur to produce a
+certain definite purpose, by reciprocal reaction, or by combining towards
+the same end. Hence none of these separate parts can change their forms
+without a corresponding change in the other parts of the same animal, and
+consequently each of these parts, taken separately, indicates all the
+other parts to which it has belonged. Thus, if the viscera of any animal
+are so organized as only to be fitted for the digestion of recent flesh,
+it is also requisite that the jaws should be so constructed as to fit them
+for devouring prey; the claws must be constructed for seizing and tearing
+it to pieces; the teeth for cutting and dividing its flesh; the entire
+system of the limbs, or organs of motion, for pursuing and overtaking it;
+and the organs of sense, for discovering it at a distance. Nature, also,
+must have endowed the brain of the animal with instinct sufficient for
+concealing itself, and for laying plans to catch its necessary victims.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In order that the jaw may be well adapted for laying hold of objects, it
+is necessary that its condyle should have a certain form; that the
+resistance, the moving power, and the fulcrum, should have a certain
+relative position with respect to each other, and that the temporal
+muscles should be of a certain size; the hollow, or depression, too, in
+which these muscles are lodged, must have a certain depth; and the
+zygomatic arch, under which they pass, must not only have a certain degree
+of convexity, but it must be sufficiently strong to support the action of
+the masseter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To enable the animal to carry of its prey when seized, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> corresponding
+force is requisite in the muscles which elevate the head; and this
+necessarily gives rise to a determinate form of the vertebr&aelig;, to which
+these muscles are attached, and of the occiput into which they are
+inserted.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In order that the teeth of a carnivorous animal may be able to cut the
+flesh, they require to be sharp, more or less so in proportion to the
+greater or less quantity of flesh which they have to cut. It is requisite
+that their roots should be solid and strong, in proportion to the greater
+quantity and size of the bones which they have to break to pieces. The
+whole of these circumstances must necessarily influence the development
+and form of all the parts which contribute to move the jaws.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To enable the claws of a carnivorous animal to seize its prey, a
+considerable degree of mobility is necessary in their paws and toes, and a
+considerable strength in the claws themselves. From these circumstances,
+there necessarily result certain determinate forms in all the bones of
+their paws, and in the distribution of the muscles and tendons by which
+they are moved. The fore arm must possess a certain facility of moving in
+various directions, and consequently requires certain determinate forms in
+the bones of which it is composed. As the bones of the fore arm are
+articulated with the arm bone, or humerus, no change can take place in the
+form or structure of the former, without occasioning correspondent changes
+in the form of the latter. The shoulder-blade, also, or scapula, requires
+a correspondent degree of strength in all animals destined for catching
+prey, by which it likewise must necessarily have an appropriate form. The
+play and action of all these parts require certain proportions in the
+muscles which set them in motion, and the impressions formed by these
+muscles must still farther determine the form of all these bones.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>&#8220;After these observations it will easily be seen that similar conclusions
+may be drawn with respect to the hinder limbs of carnivorous animals,
+which require particular conformations to fit them for rapidity of motion
+in general; and that similar considerations must influence the forms and
+connections of the vertebr&aelig; and other bones constituting the trunk of the
+body, and to fit them for flexibility and readiness of motion in all
+directions. The bones, also, of the nose, of the orbit, and of the ears,
+require certain forms and structures to fit them for giving perfection to
+the senses of smell, sight, and hearing, so necessary to animals of prey.
+In short, the shape and structure of the teeth regulate the forms of the
+condyle, of the shoulder-blade, and the claws, in the same manner as the
+equation of a curve regulates all its other properties; and as, in regard
+to a particular curve, all its properties may be ascertained by assuming
+each separate property as the foundation of a particular equation, in the
+same manner a claw, a shoulder-blade, a condyle, a leg, an arm bone, or
+any other bone, separately considered, enables us to discover the
+description of teeth to which they have belonged; and so, also,
+reciprocally, we may determine the form of the other bones from the teeth.
+Thus commencing our investigations by a careful survey of any one bone by
+itself, a person who is sufficiently master of the laws of organic
+structure may, as it were, reconstruct the whole animal to which that bone
+had belonged.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After applying the same principle to animals with hoofs, Cuvier comes to a
+conclusion even more surprising. &#8220;Hence,&#8221; says he, &#8220;any one who observes
+merely the print of a cloven hoof, may conclude that it has been left by a
+ruminant animal, and regard the conclusion as equally certain with any
+other in physics or in morals. Consequently this single<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> footmark clearly
+indicates to the observer the forms of the teeth, of all the leg bones,
+thighs, shoulders, and of the trunk of the body of the animal which left
+the mark. It is much surer than all the marks of Zadig.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By thus employing the method of observation, where theory is no longer
+able to direct our views, we procure astonishing, results. The smallest
+fragment of bone, even the most apparently insignificant apophysis,
+possesses a fixed and determinate character relative to the class, order,
+genus, and species of the animal to which it belonged; insomuch that when
+we find merely the extremity of a well-preserved bone, we are able, by a
+careful examination, assisted by analogy and exact comparison, to
+determine the species to which it once belonged, as certainly as if we had
+the entire animal before us. Before venturing to put entire confidence in
+this method of investigation, in regard to fossil bones, I have very
+frequently tried it with portions of bones belonging to well-known
+animals, and always with such complete success, that I now entertain no
+doubts with regard to the results which it affords.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The remarkable correlation between the parts of existing animals having
+been thus proved by the most rigid and satisfactory tests, we shall
+inquire with interest for the result, when Cuvier applied the same
+principles to the fossil animals. If the laws of anatomical structure were
+the same when these extinct races lived as they now are, these principles
+will apply equally well to the bones found in the rocks; and though often
+only scattered fragments are brought to light, the anatomist will be able
+to reconstruct the whole animal, and present him to our view. Cuvier was
+the first who solved this problem. The quarries around Paris had furnished
+a vast number of bones of strange animals, and these were thrown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>
+promiscuously into the collections of that city. Well prepared by previous
+study, this distinguished anatomist went among them with the inquiry, <i>Can
+these bones live?</i> The spirit of scientific prophecy was upon him, and, as
+he uttered his inspirations, <i>there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and
+the bones came together, bone to his bone. And the sinews and the flesh
+came upon them, and the skin covered them.</i> &#8220;I found myself,&#8221; says he, &#8220;as
+if placed in a charnel-house, surrounded by mutilated fragments of many
+hundred skeletons of more than twenty kinds of animals, piled confusedly
+around me. The task assigned me was to restore them all to their original
+position. At the voice of comparative anatomy, every bone and fragment of
+a bone resumed its place. I cannot find words to express the pleasure I
+experienced in seeing, as I discovered one character, how all the
+consequences which I predicted from it were successively confirmed; the
+feet were found in accordance with the characters announced by the teeth;
+the teeth in harmony with those indicated beforehand by the feet; the
+bones of the legs and thighs, and every connecting portion of the
+extremities, were found set together precisely as I had arranged them,
+before my conjectures were verified by the discovery of the parts entire;
+in short, each species was, as it were, reconstructed from a single one of
+its component elements.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It is hardly necessary to say that, since this first successful
+experiment, the same principles have been more thoroughly investigated and
+extended with the same success into every department of fossil organic
+nature. The results which have crowned the labors of such men as Agassiz,
+Ehrenberg, Kaup, Goldfuss, Bronn, Blainville, Brongniart, Deshayes, and
+D&#8217;Orbigny, on the continent of Europe, and of Conybeare, Buckland,
+Mantell, Lindley, and Hutton, and eminently of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> Owen, in Great Britain,
+although sustained by the most rigid principles of science, are
+nevertheless but little short of miraculous; and they demonstrate most
+clearly the identity of anatomical laws, in all ages, among animals and
+plants of every size and character, from the lofty lepidodendra and
+sigillaria to the humblest moss or sea-weed, and from the gigantic
+dinotherium, mastodon, megatherium, and iguanodon, to the infinitesimal
+infusoria.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the sixth place, physiological laws have always been the same upon the
+globe.</i></p>
+
+<p>That death has reigned in all past ages over all animated tribes, as it
+now reigns, so that in that war there has never been a discharge, I need
+not attempt formally to prove. For the preserved and petrified relics of
+all the former races, that now lie entombed in the rocks, furnish a silent
+but impressive demonstration of the former triumph of that great
+physiological law, which is stamped by the signet of Jehovah upon all
+existing organic natures&mdash;<i>Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
+return.</i></p>
+
+<p>Scarcely more necessary is it to attempt to show that the same system of
+reproduction for filling the chasms which death occasions, and which is
+now universal in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, has always existed.
+Indeed, such a system is a necessary counterpart to a system of
+dissolution. And we find the same phases to this reproductive system in
+ancient and in modern periods. Organic remains clearly teach us that there
+have always been viviparous as well as oviparous creatures, and
+gemmiparous as well as fissiparous animals and plants. The second great
+physiological law of existing nature has, then, always been the same.</p>
+
+<p>The character of the nourishment by which animals and plants have been
+sustained has never varied. The latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> have ever been nourished by
+inorganic, and the former by organic, matter. Some animals have ever fed
+upon the flesh of other animals, as their petrified remains, enclosing the
+masticated and half-digested fragments of other animals, testify. Other
+tribes have fed only upon herbs or fruits; and some were omnivorous; just,
+in fact, as we find the habits of existing animals.</p>
+
+<p>No less certain are we that the processes of digestion and assimilation
+have ever been unchanged. We find the same organs for these purposes as in
+existing animals, viz., the mouth, the stomach, the intestines, and the
+blood-vessels, as the coprolites and the cololites abundantly testify. We
+infer, therefore, with great confidence, the existence of gastric juice
+and bile for completing the transformation of the food into blood. Indeed,
+the discovery by a lady (Miss Mary Anning, of England) of that singular
+secretion from which the color called <i>India ink</i> is prepared, with the
+ink-bag of the sepia, or loligo, in a petrified state, shows that the
+process of secretion existed in these ancient animals; and when we find
+that in all respects their structure was like that of existing animals,
+although some of the softer vessels have not been preserved, we cannot
+doubt but the entire process of digestion, and the conversion of blood
+into bone, nerve, and muscle, was precisely the same as it now is.</p>
+
+<p>In the fact, also, that we find in fossil specimens organs of respiration,
+such as lungs, gills, and trachea, we learn that the process of a
+circulation of blood, and its purification by means of the oxygen of the
+atmosphere, have never varied. Animal heat, too, dependent as it is
+essentially upon this oxygenating process, was always derived from the
+same source as at present.</p>
+
+<p>The perfectly preserved minute vessels of vegetables<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> enable us, by means
+of the microscope, to identify them with the plants now alive; and they
+prove, too, incontestably, that the nourishment of vegetables has always
+been of the same kind, and has been converted into the various proximate
+principles of plants by the same processes.</p>
+
+<p>Again. We have evidence that these ancient animals possessed the same
+senses as their congeneric races now on the globe. We have one good
+example in which that most delicate organ, the eye, is most perfectly
+preserved. It is well known that the visual organ of insects and of
+crustaceans is composed of a multitude&mdash;often several hundreds or
+thousands&mdash;of eyes, united into one, so as to serve the purpose of a
+multiplying glass; each eye producing a separate image of the object
+observed. Such an eye had the trilobite. Each contained at least four
+hundred nearly spherical lenses on the surface of the cornea, united into
+one organ; revealing to us the interesting fact, that the relations of
+light to animal organization were the same in that remote era as they now
+are.</p>
+
+<p>But I need not multiply proof of the functional identity of organic nature
+in all ages. It may, however, be inquired, how this identity, as well as
+that of anatomical structure, is reconciled with the great anomalies, both
+in size and form, which have confessedly prevailed among ancient animals.
+Compare the plants and animals which now occupy the northern parts of the
+globe with those which flourished there in the remote periods of
+geological history, and can we believe them to be portions of one great
+system of organic nature?</p>
+
+<p>Compare, for instance, the thirty or forty species of ferns now growing to
+the height of a few inches, or one or two feet, in Europe and this
+country, with the more than two hundred species already dug out of the
+coal mines, many of which were forty to forty-five feet in height; or the
+diminutive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> ground pines, and equiseta, now scarcely noticed in our
+forests, with the gigantic lepidodendron, sigillaria, calamites, and
+equiseta, of the carboniferous period; and who will not be struck with the
+great difference between them?</p>
+
+<p>Or go to Germany, and imagine the bones of the dinotherium to start out of
+the soil, and become clothed with flesh and instinct with life. You have
+before you a quadruped eighteen feet in length, and of proportional
+height, much larger than the elephant, and with curved tusks reaching two
+or three feet below its lower jaw, while no other living animal would be
+found there larger than the ox, or the horse&mdash;mere pygmies by the side of
+such a monster, and evidently unfit to be his contemporaries.</p>
+
+<p>Again. Let the megatherium be brought back to life on the pampas of South
+America, and you have an animal twelve feet long and eight feet high, with
+proportions perfectly colossal. Its fore feet were a yard long, its thigh
+bone three times thicker than that of the elephant, its width across the
+haunches five feet, its spinal marrow a foot in diameter, and its tail,
+where it was inserted into the body, two feet in diameter. What a giant in
+comparison with the sloth, the anteater, and the armadillo, to which it
+was allied by anatomical structure!</p>
+
+<p>Still more unequal in size, as compared with living batrachians, was the
+labyrinthidon, once common in England and Germany, if, indeed, the tracks
+on sandstone were made by that animal. It was, in fact, a frog as large as
+an ox, and perhaps as large as an elephant. Think of such animals swarming
+in our morasses at the present day!</p>
+
+<p>But coming back from Europe, and turning our thoughts to the animals that
+trod along the shores of the estuary that once washed the base of Mount
+Holyoke, in New England, we shall encounter an animal, probably of the
+batrachian family, of more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> gigantic proportions. It was the <i>Otozoum
+Moodii</i>, a biped, with feet twenty inches long, more than twice the size
+of those of the labyrinthidon; yet its tracks on the imperishable
+sandstone show that such a giant once trod upon the muddy shore of that
+ancient estuary.</p>
+
+<p>Along that same shore, also, enormous struthious birds moved in flocks,
+making strides from three to five feet long, with feet eighteen inches
+long, lifting their heads, it may be, from twelve to eighteen feet above
+the ground, surpassing, as it appears, even the gigantic dinornis of New
+Zealand, now that the feet of the latter have been discovered. I refer to
+the <i>Brontozoum giganteum</i>, whose tracks are so common on the new red
+sandstone of the Connecticut valley. What dwarfs are we in comparison, who
+now consider ourselves lords of that valley!</p>
+
+<p>Still more remarkable for peculiarities of structure was the tribe of
+saurians, which were once so numerous in the northern parts of Europe and
+America. The ichthyosaurus, a carnivorous marine reptile, sometimes thirty
+feet long, had the snout of a porpoise, the teeth of a crocodile, the head
+of a lizard, the vertebr&aelig; of a fish, the sternum of an ornithorhynchus,
+and the paddles of a whale. Those paddles, corresponding to the fins of a
+fish, or the web feet of water birds, were composed, each of them, of more
+than one hundred bones. In short, we find in this animal a combination of
+mechanical contrivances, which are now found among three distinct classes
+of the animal kingdom. Its eye, also, having an orbital cavity, in one
+species, of fourteen inches in its longest diameter, was proportionally
+larger than that of any living animal.</p>
+
+<p>The plesiosaurus had the general structure of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>ichthyosaurus; but its
+neck was nearly as long as its whole body&mdash;longer, in proportion to its
+size, than even that of the swan.</p>
+
+<p>The iguanodon was an herbivorous terrestrial reptile that formerly
+inhabited England. It approaches nearest in structure to the iguana, a
+reptile four or five feet long, inhabiting the marine parts of this
+continent. Yet the iguanodon was thirty feet long, with a thigh six feet,
+and a body fourteen feet in circumference. What an alarm would it now
+produce, to have such a monster start into life in the forests of England,
+where no analogous animal could be found more than half a foot in length!
+Surely this must have been one of the fabulous monsters of antiquity.</p>
+
+<p>Still more heteroclitic and unlike existing nature was the pterodactyle, a
+small lizard, contemporary with the ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus. At one
+time anatomists regarded it as a bird, at another as a bat, and finally as
+a reptile, having the head and neck of a bird, the body and tail of a
+quadruped, the wings of a bat, and the teeth of a saurian reptile. With
+its wings it could fly or swim; it could walk on two feet or four; with
+its claws it could climb or creep. &#8220;Thus,&#8221; says Dr. Buckland, &#8220;like
+Milton&#8217;s fiend, all qualified for all services, and all elements, the
+pterodactyle was a fit companion for the kindred reptiles that swarmed in
+the seas, or crawled on the shores of a turbulent planet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 14em;">&#8220;The fiend,</span><br />
+O&#8217;er bog, or steep, through straight, rough, dense, or rare,<br />
+With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,<br />
+And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now, when the details of such facts are brought before us, it is very
+natural to feel that it is the history of monsters, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> that the
+Centaurs, the Gorgons, and Chimeras of the ancients, are no more unlike
+existing animals than these resurrections from the rocks. But further
+examination rectifies our mistake, and we recognize them as parts of one
+great system. All the peculiarities of size, and structure, and form,
+which we meet, we find to be only wise and benevolent adaptations to the
+different circumstances in which animals have been placed. The gigantic
+size of many of them, compared with existing races, may be explained by
+the tropical, or even ultra tropical character of the climate; and not a
+single anomaly of structure and form can be pointed out, which did not
+contribute to the convenience and happiness of the species, in the
+circumstances in which they were placed. It is our ignorance and narrow
+views alone that give any of them the aspect of monsters. Listen to the
+opinion of Sir Charles Bell, one of the ablest of modern anatomists. &#8220;The
+animals of the antediluvian world,&#8221; says he, &#8220;were not monsters; there is
+no <i>lusus</i>, or extravagance. Hideous as they appear to us, and like the
+phantoms of a dream, they were adapted to the condition of the earth when
+they existed.&#8221; &#8220;Judging by these indications of the habits of the animals,
+we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their period
+of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of the
+lacert&aelig;, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and, finally, we learn
+that, at any period previous to man&#8217;s creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater Treatise</i>, pp. 35 and
+31.</p>
+
+<p>A similar view is given of this subject by England&#8217;s geological poet,
+(Rev. Mr. Wilks,) in whose playful verses we find more of true science and
+just inference than in many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> a ponderous tome of grave prose. In one of
+his poems he says,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 11em;">&#8220;Seamy coal,</span><br />
+Limestone, or o&ouml;lite, and other sections,<br />
+Give us strange tidings of our old connections;<br />
+Our arborescent ferns, of climate torrid,<br />
+With unknown shapes of names and natures horrid;<br />
+Strange ichthyosaurus, or iguanodon,<br />
+With many more I cannot verse upon,&mdash;<br />
+Lost species and lost genera; some whose bias<br />
+Is chalk, marl, sandstone, gravel, or blue lias;<br />
+Birds, beasts, fish, insects, reptiles; fresh, marine,<br />
+Perfect as yesterday among us seen<br />
+In rock or cave; &#8217;tis passing strange to me<br />
+How such incongruous mixture e&#8217;er could be.<br />
+And yet no medley was it: each its station<br />
+Once occupied in wise and meet location.<br />
+God is a God of order, though to scan<br />
+His works may pose the feeble powers of man.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The facts and reasonings which have now been presented will sustain the
+following important inferences:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, we learn that the notions which have so widely
+prevailed, in ancient and modern times, respecting a chaos, are without
+foundation.</i></p>
+
+<p>Among all heathen nations of antiquity, the belief in a primeval chaos was
+almost universal; and from the heathen philosophers it was transmitted to
+the Christian world, and incorporated with the Mosaic cosmogony. It is
+not, indeed, easy to ascertain what is the precise idea which has been
+attached to a chaos. It is generally described, however, as &#8220;a confused
+assemblage of elements,&#8221; &#8220;an unformed and undigested mass of heterogeneous
+matter;&#8221; not, of course, subject to those laws which now govern it, and
+which have arranged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> it all in beautiful order, even if we leave out of
+the account vegetable and animal organization. Now, I have attempted to
+show that there never was a period on the globe when these laws, with the
+exception of the organic, did not operate as they now do. Nay, the
+geologist, when he examines the oldest rocks, finds the results of these
+laws at the supposed period when chaos reigned; that is, in the earliest
+times of our planet. And what are these results? The most splendid
+crystallizations which nature furnishes. The emerald, the topaz, the
+sapphire, and other kindred gems, were elaborated during the supposed
+chaotic state of the globe; for no earlier products have yet been
+discovered than these most perfect illustrations of crystallographical,
+chemical, and electrical laws. If, indeed, any should say, that by a chaos
+they mean only that state of the world when no animals or plants
+existed,&mdash;in other words, when no organic laws had been established,&mdash;to
+such a chaos I have no objection. And this is the chaos described in the
+Bible, where it is said that, before the creation of animals and plants,
+the earth was <i>without form and void</i>. The <i>tohu vau bohu</i> of Moses, which
+is thus translated in our English Bible, means, simply and literally,
+<i>invisible and unfurnished</i>&mdash;<i>invisible</i>, both because the ocean covered
+the present land, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and
+<i>unfurnished</i>, because as yet no organic natures had been called into
+existence. This is the meaning which the old Jewish writers, as Philo and
+Josephus, attached to these words; and they have been followed by some of
+the ablest modern commentators. &#8220;It is wonderful,&#8221; says Rosenmuller the
+elder, &#8220;that so many interpreters could have persuaded themselves that it
+was possible to detect a chaos in the words &#1514;&#1465;&#1495;&#1491;&#1468; &#1491;&#1464;&#1489;&#1465;&#1492;&#1491;&#1468;. That notion
+unquestionably derived its origin from the fictions of the Greek and Latin
+poets, which were transferred by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> those interpreters to Moses. If we
+follow the practice of the language, the Hebrew phrase has this
+signification: <i>The earth was waste and desert</i>, or, as others prefer,
+<i>empty and vacuous</i>; that is, <i>uncultured and unfurnished</i> with those
+things with which the Creator afterwards adorned it.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Antiquiss. Tell.
+Hist.</i> p. 19-23.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the whole, there is no evidence whatever, either in nature or
+revelation, that the earth has ever been in a state corresponding to the
+common notions of a chaos; while, on the other hand, there is strong proof
+that the present laws of nature have been in operation from the beginning.
+These laws have varied in the intensity of their action, and we have
+strong reason to believe that organic laws did not always exist; but none
+of these laws have ever been suspended, to leave the elements to mix in
+wild disorder in a formless mass. It is high time that religion was freed
+from the indescribable incubus of a chaos.</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally, the most important conclusion to which the mind is conducted by
+this subject is, that the present and past conditions of this world are
+only parts of one and the same great system of infinite wisdom and
+benevolence.</i></p>
+
+<p>We have seen that the same wise and benevolent laws, organic and
+inorganic, have always controlled, as they now control, this lower world.
+It is true we find modified conditions of the globe in its past history;
+but they were always the foreseen result of the same laws, and in harmony
+with the same great plan. And the modifications of organic structure,
+which were great in the successive economies, were always in perfect
+correspondence with the earth&#8217;s physical changes. Nowhere do we meet with
+conflicting plans; but throughout all nature, from the earliest zo&ouml;phyte
+and sea-weed of the silurian rocks to the young animals and plants that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>
+came into existence to-day, and from the choice gems that were produced
+when the earth was without form and void, to the crystals which are now
+forming in the chemist&#8217;s laboratory, one golden chain of harmony links all
+together, and identifies all as the work of the same infinite mind.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In all the numerous examples of design which we have selected from the
+various animal and vegetable remains that occur in a fossil state,&#8221; says
+Dr. Buckland, &#8220;there is such a never-failing identity in the fundamental
+principles of their construction, and such uniform adoption of analogous
+means to produce various ends, with so much only of departure from one
+common type of mechanism as was requisite to adapt each instrument to its
+own especial function, and to fit each species to its peculiar place and
+office in the scale of created beings, that we can scarcely fail to
+acknowledge in all these facts a demonstration of the unity of the
+intelligence in which such transcendent harmony originated; and we may
+almost dare to assert that neither atheism nor polytheism would ever have
+found acceptance in the world, had the evidences of high intelligence and
+unity of design which have been disclosed by modern discoveries in
+physical science been fully known to the authors or the abetters of
+systems to which they are so diametrically opposed. It is the same
+handwriting that we read, the same system and contrivance that we trace,
+the same unity of object and relation to final causes which we see
+maintained throughout, and constantly proclaiming the unity of the great
+divine original.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater Treatise</i>, p. 584.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The earth, from her deep foundations, unites with the celestial orbs,
+that roll throughout boundless space, to declare the glory and show forth
+the praise of their common Author and Preserver; and the voice of natural
+religion accords <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>harmoniously with the testimonies of revelation, in
+ascribing the origin of the universe to the will of one eternal and
+dominant intelligence, the almighty Lord and supreme First Cause of all
+things that subsist; <i>the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, before the
+mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made,
+God from everlasting and without end</i>.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater Treatise</i>, p. 596.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_IX" id="LECTURE_IX"></a>LECTURE IX.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW.</span></p>
+
+<p>In all ages of the world, where men have been enlightened enough to reason
+upon the causes of phenomena, a mysterious and a mighty power has been
+imputed to the laws of nature. A large portion of the most enlightened men
+have felt as if those laws not only explain, but possess an inherent
+potency to continue, the ordinary operations of nature. Most men of this
+description, however, have thought that to originate nature must have
+demanded the special exercise of an infinite and all-wise Being. But a
+few, in every age, have endeavored to exalt law into a Creator, as well as
+Controller, of the world. The hypothesis has assumed a great variety of
+forms, and until recently few have attempted to draw it out in all its
+details, and apply it to all nature. Among the ancient philosophers it was
+based on the eternity of matter, and made the foundation of a system of
+rank atheism. Starting with the position, as an axiom, that nothing
+produces nothing,&mdash;in other words, that creation out of nothing is
+impossible,&mdash;Democritus maintained that all existence was the result of
+two necessary and self-existent principles, viz., space, infinite in
+extent, and atoms, infinite in number. The latter have been eternally in
+motion, in directions varying from right lines; and their necessary
+collisions have produced the various forms of organic and inorganic
+nature. To produce animals and plants, it was only necessary that the
+atoms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> should be suitably arranged. The only animating principle was the
+rapid agitation of atoms.</p>
+
+<p>In modern times, very few philosophers have ventured to solve the whole
+problem of the universe by any self-acting, self-producing power in
+nature. La Place limited himself to the mode in which the great bodies of
+the universe were produced by the vertical movements of nebulous matter;
+although his object, equally with that of Democritus and Epicurus, was to
+dispense with an intelligent, personal Deity. Lamarck, Geoffrey St.
+Hilaire, and Bory St. Vincent, assuming the existence of matter and its
+laws, have endeavored to show, by the inherent vitality of some parts of
+matter, how the first or lowest classes of animals and plants may have
+been produced; and how, from these, by the theory of development and the
+force of circumstances, all the higher families, with their instincts and
+intellects, may have been evolved. A still more recent, but anonymous,
+writer has had the boldness to unite these nebular hypotheses, with those
+of spontaneous generation and transmutation, into a single system, and to
+attempt to clothe it with the garb of philosophy; nay, to do this in
+consistency, not only with Theism, but with a belief in revelation. This
+theory is what I denominate the <i>hypothesis of creation by law</i>. And
+judging from its wide reception, we should be led to infer that it had
+strong probabilities in its favor. It should, therefore, at least receive
+a careful and candid examination. For though many of its statements and
+conclusions are absurd, and some of them are highly ridiculous, the
+hypothesis, at least in some of its parts, falls in with certain loose
+notions that have got possession of the public mind, and which nothing but
+cogent reasoning can eradicate.</p>
+
+<p>Before entering upon such an examination, however, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> seems necessary to
+go somewhat more into detail in illustration of the nature of this
+hypothesis. It may conveniently be described under the heads of
+<i>cosmogony</i>, which attempts to account for the origin of the world;
+<i>zo&ouml;gony</i>, which explains the origin of animals; and <i>zo&ouml;nomy</i>, which
+describes the laws of animal life.<small><a name="f17.1" id="f17.1" href="#f17">[17]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>The cosmogony of this theory is embraced in what is denominated the
+nebular hypothesis, propounded by the eminent mathematician La Place. He
+supposes that, originally, the whole solar system constituted only one
+vast mass of nebulous matter, being expanded into the thinnest vapor and
+gas by heat, and more than filling the space at present occupied by the
+planets. This vapor, he still further supposes, had a revolution from west
+to east on an axis. As the heat diminished by radiation, the nebulous
+matter must condense, and consequently the velocity of rotation must
+increase, and an exterior zone of vapor might be detached; since the
+central attraction might not be able to overcome the increased centrifugal
+force. This ring of vapor might sometimes retain its original form, as in
+the case of Saturn&#8217;s ring; but the tendency would be, in general, to
+divide into several masses, which, by coalescing again, would form a
+single mass, having a revolution about the sun, and on its axis. This
+would constitute a planet in a state of vapor; and by the detachment of
+successive rings might all the planets be produced. As they went on
+contracting, by the same law, satellites might be formed to each; and the
+ultimate result would be solid planets and satellites, revolving around
+the sun in nearly the same plane, and in the same direction, and also on
+their axes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>Although this hypothesis has been regarded with favor by many
+philosophers, who were Theists, and even Christians, yet the object of La
+Place in proposing it was to sustain atheism. Sir Isaac Newton had
+expressed the conviction that &#8220;the admirable arrangement of the solar
+system cannot but be the work of an intelligent and most powerful Being.&#8221;
+La Place declared that, in this statement, Newton &#8220;had deviated from the
+method of true philosophy,&#8221; and brought forward these views to sustain his
+declaration. Whether they do sustain it, will be considered in another
+place. But since it is one of those modes in which men have attempted to
+account for the universe without a Deity, it is a proper subject of
+examination in this lecture, in which we are inquiring whether law alone
+will account for the creation and sustentation of the universe.</p>
+
+<p>The zo&ouml;gony of this hypothesis undertakes to show how animals and plants
+may be produced without any special exercise of creating power on the part
+of the Deity. It supposes matter to be endowed with certain laws, whose
+operation alone will determine life in brute matter, or, rather, whose
+operation constitutes life. Some would have it that a part of matter is
+essentially vital; that is, endowed with inherent life; and that this
+matter, like leaven, communicates life to dead matter arranged in a
+certain order. But the more modern view is, that life is produced by
+electrical agency. It is found that the fundamental form of organic beings
+is a globule, having another globule forming within it. It is also found
+that globules may be produced in albumen by electricity; and if we could
+discover how nature produces albumen, it is thought that the whole process
+by which living organisms are produced would be distinctly before us. It
+seems to be simply the operation of electricity, and requires no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>
+intervention of special creating energy. If the question arises, Whence
+came such marvellous laws to exist in nature? the atheist replies that
+matter and its laws are eternal, having neither beginning nor end; while
+the Theist, who maintains this hypothesis, asserts that, when God created
+matter, he endowed it with such laws, having an inherent, self-executing
+power.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus ascertained, as it supposes, how life and organization in the
+simplest forms may be produced, the next inquiry is, how the more perfect
+and complicated forms of organic beings may be developed by laws, without
+divine power. This constitutes the zo&ouml;nomy of the subject. The French
+zo&ouml;logist, Lamarck, first drew out and formally defended this hypothesis,
+aided by others, as Geoffroy St. Hilaire and Bory St. Vincent. Their
+supposition was, that there is a power in nature, which they sometimes
+denominated the Deity, yet did not allow it to be intelligent and
+independent, but a mere blind, instrumental force. This power, they
+supposed, was able to produce what they called <i>monads</i>, or rough draughts
+of animals and plants. These monads were the simplest of all organic
+beings, mere aggregations of matter, some of them supposed to be
+inherently vital. And such monads are the only things ever produced
+directly by this blind deity. But in these monads there was supposed to
+reside an inherent tendency to progressive improvement. The wants of this
+living mass of jelly were supposed to produce such effects as would
+gradually form new organs, as the hands, the feet, and the mouth. These
+changes would be aided by another principle, which they called the <i>force
+of external circumstances</i>, by which they meant the influence upon its
+development of its peculiar condition; as, for instance, a conatus for
+flying, produced by the internal principle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> would form wings in birds; a
+conatus for swimming in water would form the fins and tails of fishes; and
+a conatus for walking would form the feet and legs of quadrupeds. Thus the
+organs were not formed to meet the wants, but by the wants, of the animal
+and plant. Of course, new wants would produce new organs; and thus have
+animals been growing more and more complicated and perfect from the
+earliest periods of geological history. Man began his course as a monad,
+but, by the force of Lamarck&#8217;s two principles, has reached the most
+elevated rank on the scale of animals. His last condition before his
+present was that of the monkey tribe, especially that of the orang-outang.
+The advocates of this hypothesis generally, however, suppose that there
+are from three to fifteen species of men, and that the different races are
+not mere varieties of one species. The most perfect species, the
+Caucasian, after leaving the monkey state, has gradually risen through the
+inferior species, and is still making progress; so that we cannot tell
+where they will stop. In general, the advocates of this hypothesis are
+materialists; that is, they do not suppose that there is a soul in man,
+distinct from the body, but that thought is one of the functions of the
+brain. They usually also regard moral qualities as mainly dependent upon
+organization, agreeably to the opinions of ultra phrenologists; and hence
+that they are more to be pitied than blamed for their deviations from
+rectitude.</p>
+
+<p>Such is the hypothesis. Let us now, in the first place, assume it to be
+proved, and see what inferences follow.</p>
+
+<p><i>I remark, first, that the occurrence of events according to law does not
+remove the necessity of a divine contriving, superintending, and
+sustaining Power.</i></p>
+
+<p>That every event in the universe takes place according to fixed laws I am
+ready to admit. For what is a natural law?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> Nothing more nor less than the
+uniform mode in which divine power acts. In the case of miracles, it may
+be that the ordinary laws of nature are suspended or counteracted; at
+least, they are increased or diminished in their power. Yet from what we
+know of the divine perfections, we must conclude that God has certain
+fixed rules by which he is regulated in the performance of miracles; and,
+of course, in the same circumstances we should expect the same miracles.
+So that we may reasonably admit that even miracles are regulated and
+controlled by law, like common events; though, from the infrequency of the
+former, men cannot understand the laws that regulate them.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if the advocates of this hypothesis mean simply that every event is
+regulated by law,&mdash;in other words, that with like antecedents like
+consequents will be connected,&mdash;I have no controversy with them; and such
+is the precise statement of a modern anonymous popular writer on the
+subject.</p>
+
+<p>He declares that his &#8220;purpose is, to show that the whole revelation of the
+works of God presented to our senses and reason is a system based on what
+we are compelled, for want of a better term, to call <i>law</i>; by which,
+however, is not meant a system independent or exclusive of the Deity, but
+one which only proposes <i>a certain mode of his working</i>.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Sequel to the
+Vestiges of Nat. Hist. of Creation</i>, p. 2.&mdash;But this is by no means all
+that is meant by this hypothesis. Nay, the grand object of the writer
+above quoted is, to show that there is no such thing as miraculous
+interference in the creation or preservation of the universe. He admits
+only the ordinary laws of nature, but denies all special and extraordinary
+laws; and says that it does not &#8220;appear necessary that God should exercise
+an immediately superintending power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> over the mundane
+economy.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Vestiges</i>, p. 273.&mdash;Nay, he denies that the original creation
+of the universe and of animals and plants required any thing but the
+operation of natural laws; of such laws as we see and understand. The
+thought does not seem to have occurred to him, that special and miraculous
+acts of the Deity may be as truly governed by law as the motions of
+planets. Every thing of that sort he seems to regard as a violation of
+law,&mdash;a stepping aside from fixed principles,&mdash;a sort of afterthought with
+Jehovah,&mdash;a remedy for some defect in his original plans. True, the law of
+miracles and of special providence is very different from the common
+course of nature; and, therefore, the one may for a time supersede the
+others. But this does not prove that the former is not regulated by laws;
+nor that it did not enter into the original plan of the universe in the
+divine mind. It must have been a part of that plan; every thing was a part
+of it, and there can be with him no afterthought, no improvement, no
+alteration of his eternal designs.</p>
+
+<p>Admitting that every event, miraculous as well as common, is under law, it
+by no means renders a present directing and energizing Deity unnecessary.
+This hypothesis admits that organic life had a beginning, for its grand
+object is to show how it began by law alone. Now, who gave to matter, in a
+gaseous state, such wonderful laws that this fair world should be the
+result of their operation? If it would require infinite wisdom as well as
+power to create the present universe at once out of nothing, would it
+demand less of contrivance and skill to impart such powers to brute
+matter? It was not merely a power to produce organic natures, to form
+their complicated organs, to give life, and instinct, and intellect; but
+to adapt each particle, each organ, each animal, and each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> plant, most
+exactly and most wonderfully to its place in the vast system, so that
+every single thing should most beautifully harmonize with every other
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>Again. What is a natural law without the presence and energizing power of
+the lawgiver? How easily are men bewildered by words! and none has led
+more astray than this word <i>law</i>. We talk about its power to produce
+certain effects; but who can point out any inherent power of this sort
+which it possesses? Who can show how a law operates but through the
+energizing influence of the lawgiver? How unphilosophical then to separate
+a law of nature from the Deity, and to imagine him to have withdrawn from
+his works! For to do this would be to annihilate the law. He must be
+present every moment, and direct every movement of the universe, just as
+really as the mind of man must be in the body to produce its movements.
+Take away God from the universe, or let him cease to act mentally upon it,
+and every movement would as instantly and certainly cease, as would every
+movement of the human frame, were the mind to be withdrawn, or cease to
+will. We realize the necessity of the divine presence and energy to
+produce a miracle. But if miracles are performed according to law, as much
+as common events,&mdash;and we surely cannot prove they are not,&mdash;why is a
+present Deity any more necessary in the one case than in the other? The
+Bible considers common and miraculous events exactly alike in this
+respect. And true philosophy teaches the same.</p>
+
+<p>I see not, then, why this law hypothesis does not require an infinite
+Deity, just as much as the ordinary belief, which supposes that God
+originally created the universe by his fiat, and sustains it constantly by
+his power, and from time to time interferes with the regular sequence of
+cause and effect by miracles. The only difference seems to be this: While
+the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> common view represents God as always watching over his works, and
+ready, whenever necessary, to make special interpositions, the law
+hypothesis introduces him only at the very dawn of the universe, exerting
+his infinite wisdom and power to devise and endow matter with exquisite
+laws, capable, by their inherent self-executing power, of originating all
+organic natures, and producing the infinite variety of nature, and keeping
+in play her countless and unceasing agencies. It was only necessary that
+he should impress attenuated matter with these laws, and then put the
+machine in motion, and it would go on forever, without any need of God&#8217;s
+presence or agency; so that he might henceforward give himself up to
+undisturbed repose.</p>
+
+<p>I know, indeed, that La Place, and some other advocates of this latter
+hypothesis, do not admit any necessity for a Deity even to originate
+matter or its laws; and to prove this was the object of the nebular
+hypothesis. But how evident that in this he signally failed! For even
+though he could show how nebulous matter, placed in a certain position,
+and having a revolution, might be separated into sun and planets, by
+merely mechanical laws, yet where, save in an infinite Deity, lie the
+power and the wisdom to originate that matter, and to bring it into such a
+condition, that, by blind laws alone, it would produce such a universe&mdash;so
+harmonious, so varied, so nicely adjusted in its parts and relations as
+the one we inhabit? Especially, how does this hypothesis show in what
+manner these worlds could be peopled by countless myriads of organic
+natures, most exquisitely contrived, and fitted to their condition? The
+atheist may say that matter is eternal. But if so, what but an infinite
+mind could in time begin the work of organic creation? If the matter
+existed for eternal ages without being brought into order, and into
+organic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> structures, why did it not continue in the same state forever?
+Does the atheist say, All is the result of laws inherent in matter? But
+how could those laws remain dormant through all past eternity,&mdash;that is,
+through a period literally infinite,&mdash;and then at length be aroused into
+intense action? Besides, to impute the present wise arrangements and
+organic creations of the world to law, is to endow that law with all the
+attributes with which the Theist invests the Deity. Nothing short of
+intelligence, and wisdom, and benevolence, and power, infinitely above
+what man possesses, will account for the present world. If there is, then,
+a power inherent in matter adequate to the production of such effects,
+that power must be the same as the Deity; and, therefore, it is truly the
+Deity, by whatever name we call it. In short, the fact that La Place did
+not see that his hypothesis utterly failed to account for the universe
+without a Deity, strikingly shows us, that a man may be a giant in
+mathematics, while he is only a pygmy in moral reasoning; or, to make the
+statement more general, how a man, by an exclusive cultivation of one
+faculty of the soul, may shrivel all the rest into a nutshell.</p>
+
+<p>From these views and reasonings, it is clear, I think, that the hypothesis
+of creation by law does not necessarily destroy the theory of religion.
+For if we admit that every thing in the world of matter and of mind, not
+excepting miracles and special providences, is regulated, if not produced,
+by law, it does not take away the necessity of a contriving, sustaining,
+and energizing Deity. Even though we admit that God has communicated to
+nature&#8217;s laws, at the beginning, a power to execute themselves, (though
+the supposition is quite unphilosophical,) no event is any the less God&#8217;s
+work, than if all were miraculous.</p>
+
+<p>In consistency with this conclusion, we find that while some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> advocates of
+this hypothesis evidently intended it to sustain atheism, its most
+plausible advocate, as we have seen, fully admits, not only the divine
+existence, but the reality of revelation. It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether this anonymous writer has not virtually taken away the Deity, and
+even moral accountability, by his materialism and his ultra-phrenology;
+yet we do not see but he may assert his law system without denying God&#8217;s
+existence or attributes.</p>
+
+<p>It must be admitted, however, that the influence of this hypothesis upon
+practical religion is disastrous. It does, apparently, so remove the Deity
+from all concern in the affairs of the world, and so foists law into his
+place, that practically there is no God. If his agency is acknowledged, as
+having put the vast machine in motion, in some indefinitely remote period
+of past duration, yet the feeling is, that since then he has given up the
+reins into the hands of law, so that man has nothing to do with him, but
+only with nature&#8217;s laws; that he has only to submit to these, and not
+expect any interposition for his relief, however earnestly he cry for it.
+Now, it is obviously the intention and desire of the advocates of this
+hypothesis thus to remove God away from his works, and from their
+thoughts; else why should they so strenuously resist the notion of
+miracles? For these may just as properly be referred to law as common
+events. Yet it is one of the most striking features of the hypothesis,
+that it opposes strongly the idea of any special oversight and
+interposition on the part of the Deity. True, when we look at the subject
+philosophically, we must acknowledge that an event is just as really the
+work of God, when brought about by laws which he ordains and energizes, as
+by miraculous interposition. Still the practical influence of these two
+views of Providence is quite different.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>Whoever the author of the Vestiges may be, he has evidently lived in a
+religious community, and felt the influence of a religious atmosphere; for
+he tries to conform his system as much as possible to the principles of
+Protestant Christianity. In other words, he feels so much the power of
+practical piety around him, that he does not suffer the influence of the
+system which he advocates to exhibit itself fully, nor to drive him into
+those extravagances of belief which naturally result from it. In order to
+see what is its natural tendency, we need to go to such a country as
+Germany, or Switzerland, where there is little to restrain the wildest
+vagaries of belief. In the works of Professor Lorenz Oken, of Zurich, we
+see fully developed the tendencies and results of this hypothesis of
+development by law, combined with the unintelligible idealism of Kant,
+Fichte, Schelling, &amp;c. In his Physio-philosophy, translated by the Ray
+Society for the edification of sober, matter-of-fact Anglo-Saxons, we find
+a man, of strong mind and extensive knowledge, taking the most ridiculous
+positions with the stoutest dogmatism, and the most imperturbable gravity,
+yet whose blasphemy is equalled only by their absurdity. Let a few
+quotations illustrate and confirm this statement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The highest mathematical idea, or the fundamental principle of all
+mathematics, is the zero == 0.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Zero is in itself nothing. Mathematics is based upon nothing, and
+consequently arises out of nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Real and ideal are no more different from each other than ice and water:
+both of these, as is well known, are essentially one and the same, and yet
+are different, the diversity consisting in the form. Every real is
+absolutely nothing else than a number.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Eternal is the nothing of nature.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>&#8220;There is no other science than that which treats of nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There exists nothing but nothing&mdash;nothing but the Eternal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every thing in the world is endowed with life; the world itself is alive,
+and continues only, maintains itself by virtue of its life.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Man is God wholly manifested. God has become man, zero has become + &mdash;.
+Man is the whole of arithmetic, compacted, however, out of all numbers; he
+can, therefore, produce numbers out of himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Animals are men who never imagine. They are beings who never attain to
+consciousness concerning themselves. They are single accounts; man is the
+whole of mathematics.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Arithmetic is the truly absolute or divine science. Theology is
+arithmetic personified.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;For God to become real, he must appear under the form of the sphere.
+There is no other form for God. God manifesting is an infinite sphere.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;God is a rotating globe; the world is God rotating.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The whole universe is material, is nothing but matter; for it is the
+primary act repeating itself eternally in the centre. The universe is a
+rotating globe of matter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is no dead matter; it is alive through its being, through the
+Eternal that is in it. Matter has no existence in itself, but it is the
+Eternal only that exists in it. Every thing is God that is there, and
+without God there is absolutely nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every thing that is is material. Now, however, there is nothing that is
+not; consequently there is every where nothing immaterial.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fire is the totality of ether, is God manifested in his totality.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>&#8220;Every thing that is has originated out of fire; every thing is only
+cooled, rigidified fire.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;God being in himself is gravity; acting, self-emergent light; both
+together, or returning into himself, heat.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;God only is monocentral. The world is the bicentral God, God the
+monocentral world, which is the same with the monas and dyas.
+Self-consciousness is a living ellipse.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;God is a threefold trinity; at first the eternal, then the ethereal, and
+finally the terrestrial, where it is completely divided.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The symbolical doctrine of the colors is correct according to the
+philosophy of nature. Red is fire, love&mdash;Father. Blue is air, truth, and
+belief&mdash;Son. Green is water, formation, hope&mdash;Ghost. These are the three
+cardinal virtues. Yellow is earth, the immovable, inexorable falsity, the
+only vice&mdash;Satan. There are three virtues, but only one vice. A result
+obtained by physio-philosophy, whereof pneumato-philosophy as yet augurs
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The primary mucus, out of which every thing organic has been created, is
+the sea mucus.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The whole sea is alive. It is a fluctuating, ever self-elevating, and
+ever self-depressing organism.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If the organic fundamental substance consist of infusoria, so must the
+whole organic world originate from infusoria. Plants and animals can be
+only metamorphoses of infusoria. No organism has consequently been created
+of larger size than an infusorial point; whatever is larger has not been
+created, but developed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The mind, just as the body, must be developed out of these animals,
+(infusoria.) The human body has been formed by an extreme separation of
+the neuro-protoplasmic or mucous mass; so must the human mind be a
+separation, a memberment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> of infusorial sensation. The highest mind is an
+anatomized or dismembered mesmerism, each member whereof has been
+constituted independent in itself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The liver is the soul in a state of sleep, the brain is the soul active
+and awakening.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Circumspection and forethought appear to be the thoughts of the bivalve
+mollusca, and snails.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Gazing upon a snail, one believes that he finds the prophesying goddess
+sitting upon the tripod. What majesty is in a creeping snail, what
+reflection, what earnestness, what timidity, and yet at the same time what
+firm confidence! Surely a snail is an exalted symbol of mind slumbering
+deeply within itself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It is difficult for an Anglo-Saxon mind to believe that a man who could
+write thus was not out of his senses. Yet Oken is an eminent physiologist,
+and has made, it is said, important discoveries in respect to the cranial
+homologies, which have been developed in Professor Owen&#8217;s work on the
+Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton. Nay, Oken declares himself to have
+written his Physio-philosophy &#8220;in a kind of inspiration&#8221;&mdash;from what world
+the religious man might be in doubt.</p>
+
+<p>These extravagant notions show what is the natural tendency of the law
+hypothesis. Yet it does not necessarily convert a man into an atheist. And
+if any of its advocates declare themselves Theists, and even Christians,
+we need not regard them as hypocrites, though we may consider them as in
+an eminently dangerous position; and that, when they shall act
+consistently, they will swing off into utter irreligion. But my arguments
+against the hypothesis will be based on the position that <i>it is not
+sustained by facts</i>; and this is the second position of my lecture.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>The nebular hypothesis is a part of the foundation on which the doctrine
+of creation by law rests. And the high scientific reputation of its
+author, as well as its apparent coincidence with some of the deductions of
+geology respecting the earliest condition of the earth, have made
+philosophers look upon it with considerable favor. Yet very few have been
+ready to give it implicit credence. And of late the most plausible
+evidence in its favor seems to be fast vanishing away. The ablest
+mechanicians are unable to see how a rotary motion should be produced in
+nebulous matter by refrigeration; or, if this be assumed, how the
+successive portions, detached by superior centrifugal force, should form
+spherical masses. But a still more formidable objection lies in the fact
+that, as improvements are made in telescopes, one and another of the
+nebul&aelig;, on which the hypothesis rests, have been resolved into stars; and
+the presumption hence arising is very strong that all are resolvable. In
+the present aspect of the subject, no sagacious philosopher would dare to
+rest even an hypothesis upon the unresolved nebul&aelig;. If, however, the
+nebular hypothesis were shown to be true, it would prove nothing in regard
+to the production of animals and plants by mere law, without the special
+agency of the Deity.</p>
+
+<p>The essential and inherent vitality of some kinds of matter is another
+doctrine on which this hypothesis rests. &#8220;In vain,&#8221; says Bory St. Vincent,
+&#8220;has matter been considered as eminently brute. Many observations prove
+that, if it is not all active, by its very nature, a part of it is
+essentially so; and the presence of this, operating according to certain
+laws, is able to produce life in an agglomeration of the molecules; and
+since these laws will always be imperfectly known, it will at least be
+rash to maintain that an infinite intelligence did not impose them; since
+they are manifested by their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> results.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Dictionnaire Classique
+d&#8217;Histoire Naturelle</i>, art. <i>Materie</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The &#8220;observations&#8221; to which this writer refers to sustain his hypothesis
+are those which had been made upon certain vegetable infusions, which, in
+certain circumstances, exhibited minute particles in motion, apparently by
+vital forces. These were called <i>monads</i>, and were not supposed to be
+distinct animals, but only atoms, ready to be organized. The more modern
+and accurate researches of Ehrenberg and others, however, have shown,
+beyond all doubt, that these monads are true animals, the minutest of all
+living beings hitherto discovered. Not less than twenty-six species of
+them have been described and figured by microscopists, the smallest of
+which never exceeds the twelve thousandth of an inch in diameter.</p>
+
+<p>The vegetable physiologists have described certain peculiar motions in the
+minute vessels of plants, that might readily be regarded as matter
+essentially vital. I refer to what they call <i>rotation</i> and <i>cyclosis</i>.
+But these are never seen save in the living plant; and, therefore, seem
+dependent on the general life of the vegetable.</p>
+
+<p>There is, however, danger of mistaking certain motions of the particles of
+matter, by chemical agency, for the effect of vitality. A curious example
+is thus described by Ehrenberg, which was discovered by Professor
+Bornsdorff. &#8220;If a solution of the chloride of aluminum be dropped into a
+solution of potassa, by the alternate precipitation and solution of the
+aluminum, in the excess of the alkali, an appearance will be given to the
+drop of aluminate matter, by the chemical changes and reactions which take
+place, as if the <i>Am&oelig;ba diffluens</i> were actually present, both as to
+its form and evolutions, and will seem to be alive. Such appearance is
+considered by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> its able discoverer as bearing the same relationship to the
+real animalcule as a doll, or a figure moved by mechanism, does to a
+living child.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>We see, then, that the supports on which rests the doctrine of the
+essential vitality of matter, give way before better instruments and more
+careful research. Another statement, however, of much higher pretensions,
+has lately been made, and on no mean authority. Able electricians declare
+that, by passing currents of galvanism through solutions of silicate or
+ferrocyanate of potassa, or some analogous substance, after a time,
+sometimes several years, numerous small insects have been developed,
+belonging to the <i>acari</i> family.</p>
+
+<p>These experiments appear to have been conducted with fairness and skill;
+and that the insects showed themselves at the pole of the battery, around
+which the gelatinous silex collected, cannot be doubted. It is true,
+however, that, when the solution was exposed to the atmosphere, the
+insects appeared much sooner and more numerous than when care was taken to
+exclude every thing but oxygen enough to sustain life. This fact leads to
+the suspicion that the ova of the insect might have been communicated
+through the air, and that, even when an attempt was made to exclude the
+atmosphere, some ova were still present. This conclusion is rendered still
+more probable by some experiments made by Professor Schulz, of Berlin, on
+the production of infusoria. Having first boiled the vegetable and animal
+infusions, so as to destroy all germs of organic life, and expelled all
+the atmosphere, he attached an apparatus in such a manner that, whatever
+air entered afterwards, must pass through sulphuric acid, or a solution of
+potash. The result was, that no infusoria or vegetable forms appeared
+during two months; but in the same infusion, placed in the open air, and
+exposed to the same light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> and heat as that enclosed in the glass vessel,
+numerous animalcula and fungi appeared in a day or two. It will need,
+therefore, very long and patient experiments to establish the assertion
+that galvanism alone can produce living animals without the presence of
+germs.</p>
+
+<p>Not many years since, the equivocal or casual production of animalcula,
+without any other parentage than law, was thought to be made out by a
+multitude of facts. For these minute creatures appeared almost every
+where, and in places where it seemed impossible that their ova should be
+found. But the researches of Ehrenberg have cleared up the difficulties of
+their origination in the ordinary modes of reproduction, in nearly every
+instance, and the advocates of the law hypothesis have been fairly driven
+from this stronghold of their argument. In describing the various modes of
+reproduction with which nature has provided the infusoria, Professor Owen
+says, &#8220;Thus each leaves, by the last act of its life, the means of
+perpetuating and diffusing its species by thousands of fertile germs. When
+once the thickly tenanted pool is dried up, and its bottom converted into
+a layer of dust, these inconceivably minute and light ova will be raised
+with the dust by the first puff of wind, diffused through the atmosphere,
+and may there remain long suspended; forming, perhaps, their share of the
+particles which we see flickering in the sunbeam, ready to fall into any
+collection of water, beaten down by every summer shower into the streams
+or pools which receive or may be formed by such showers, and, by virtue of
+their tenacity of life, ready to develop themselves whenever they may find
+the requisite conditions of their existence. The possibility, or, rather,
+the high probability, that such is the design of the oviparous generation
+of the infusoria, and such the common mode of the diffusion of their ova,
+renders the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> hypothesis of equivocal generation, which has been so
+frequently invoked to explain their origin in new-formed natural or
+artificial infusions, quite gratuitous.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Lectures on Comp. Anat.</i> vol.
+ii. p. 31.</p>
+
+<p>No longer able to maintain a foothold among the animalcula, the defenders
+of this hypothesis have of late attempted to take a stand among animals of
+a somewhat higher grade, viz., the entozoa, or animals inhabiting other
+animals. These being considerably larger than the infusoria, their ova
+could not float in the atmosphere; but they possess a wonderful tenacity
+of life; some of them exhibiting signs of life after having been in
+boiling water for an hour; others have revived after having been packed
+for a long time in ice, and frozen; others have revived after lying in a
+dried state for six or seven years. Their power of reproduction, in the
+ordinary modes, is also prodigious, exceeding even that of the infusoria.
+It will, then, demand very strong evidence to prove that such animals
+possess also the power of spontaneous production, without parentage, or
+that their existence within other animals cannot be explained without such
+a supposition. For, if capable of being produced without parentage, why
+should such extraordinary care have been taken for their multiplication,
+in almost all the ordinary modes in which animals are reproduced?</p>
+
+<p>The extraordinary facts that have been discovered by Professors
+Steenstrup, Owen, and others, within a few years, respecting what they
+call <i>alternate generation</i>, or <i>parthenogenesis</i>, have been thought
+favorable to the hypothesis of development. Among the mollusca, the
+polyparia, the entozoa, and infusoria, it is found that, in some species,
+the result of sexual union is the production of a larva without sex, and,
+therefore, incapable of propagating in the usual way. Yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> that larva can
+of itself produce another larva quite different from itself, and this
+larva another, and so on, sometimes for eight or ten generations, when the
+spermatic force seems to be exhausted, and a progeny exactly like the
+original parents that started the series is produced, capable of giving
+rise to another and a similar series. Here, then, we find a succession of
+progeny for several generations, and all quite unlike one another, yet
+without any immediate parental agency. Why is it not an example of
+spontaneous generation? and why may not new species be produced in this
+manner?</p>
+
+<p>There are two facts prominent on this subject which afford a full answer
+to such questions. One is, that these generations of larv&aelig; always begin
+with the spermatozoon and the ovum of parents; the other is, that the
+series always closes, if allowed to run its natural course, in individuals
+with sex, exactly identical with those that started it; so that the
+species always remains entire. The whole process is simply one of the
+infinitely varied modes which nature employs to preserve and perfect the
+species. The process never stops with any of the larv&aelig; intervening between
+the fertile parents at the beginning, and the fertile individuals at the
+end of the series. Professor Owen supposes&mdash;certainly with much
+plausibility&mdash;that some of the original germ-cells, not wanted for the
+production of the first larva, pass on to form the successive generations,
+till the series is complete; so that, after all, the case is not an
+exception to the general law of reproduction by parental agency; and
+instead of sustaining, it certainly goes against, the notion of
+spontaneous generation and of transmutation of species; because it shows
+how far parental influence may reach, and how tenacious nature is of
+specific distinctions. For the same reasons, the case affords<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> a
+presumption against other alleged cases of equivocal generation and
+metamorphoses of species.<small><a name="f18.1" id="f18.1" href="#f18">[18]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>Appeal has also been made to the vegetable kingdom for examples of the
+production of organic beings, viz., plants without seeds. Who has not
+observed, for instance, how the clearing up and burning over of a piece of
+land will often cause an entirely new tribe of plants to spring up and
+flourish? Whence came the seeds? We have seen, for instance, (in Richmond,
+Virginia,) a thick growth of pines upon a spot where from six to ten feet
+of soil had been removed a few years previously.</p>
+
+<p>It is very possible, in some cases of this kind, that the soil, having
+been produced by aqueous agencies, may contain seeds to a considerable
+depth, and that their vitality may have been preserved for centuries; for
+we know that seeds three thousand years old, taken from Egyptian
+catacombs, have germinated, in favorable circumstances. In most cases of
+this sort, however, the winds have probably supplied the seed, it may be,
+long before. We were one day wandering over Mount Holyoke, where a spot
+recently cleared was covered with the fire-weed, a species of senecio; and
+as we were musing upon its origin, a strong blast of wind swept over the
+plants, just ready to throw off their seeds. Sustained by their light
+egrets, they floated away on the air in numbers sufficient to cover half
+the mountain with the plant, when it should be cleared and burnt over. Yet
+their existence would never be suspected till those circumstances should
+be developed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> At least, until we can prove that the soil contains no
+seeds by the most careful examination, it will be premature to infer the
+equivocal production of the plants growing upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Vegetable physiology furnishes another fact, which seems to me to look
+still more favorable to this law hypothesis than the preceding, although
+it has not been noticed, so far as I know, by the advocates of that
+hypothesis. Speaking of the matter of which certain flowerless plants are
+composed, Dr. Lindlay says, &#8220;It is even uncertain whether this matter will
+produce its like, and whether it is not a mere representation of the vital
+principle of vegetation, capable of being called into action, either as a
+fungus, or alg&aelig;, or lichen, according to the particular conditions of
+heat, light, and moisture, and the medium in which it is placed; producing
+fungi upon dead or putrid organic beings, lichens upon living vegetables,
+earth, or stones, and alg&aelig; where water is the medium in which it is
+developed.&#8221; Again, in speaking of that green slime which often covers the
+soil, rocks, walls, and glass in damp places, he says, &#8220;The slime
+resembles a layer of albumen, spread with a brush; it exfoliates in
+drying, and finally becomes visible by the manner in which it colors green
+or deep brown. One might call it a provisional creation, waiting to be
+organized, and then assuming different forms according to the nature of
+the corpuscles which penetrate it, or develop among it. It may further be
+said to be the origin of two very distinct existences, the one certainly
+animal, the other purely vegetable.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Natural System</i>, pp. 326, 328, 334.</p>
+
+<p>Now, admitting all the facts that have been detailed respecting the
+production of infusoria, entozoa, acari, and cryptogamian plants to be
+true, although most of them are far from being proved, it seems to me that
+they do not show us how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> vitality is produced by mere law, without the
+special agency of the Deity. Writers on the subject seem to overlook the
+distinction between organization and life. The first may be present in its
+highest perfection without the latter, as it is in animals and plants
+recently killed. The organization is merely a preparation to receive the
+mysterious principles which we call <i>life</i> and <i>intellect</i>. Light, heat,
+and electricity may be the essential agents in producing the organization,
+but they do not explain the nature, or account for the presence, of life.
+That must, so far as we know, come from some other and a higher source.
+Galvanism may bring gelatinous matter into the form of an insect, or
+infusoria, or entozoa; but there is no evidence that it can impart life,
+however exquisite the organization. It may be, and we have reason to
+suppose it is, the divine will to bestow life whenever a certain
+organization exists; but this does not show that his special agency is not
+concerned in it. He may will that the peculiar life of a lichen shall be
+given to the same elementary matter which, in another situation, he
+constitutes an alga, or a fungus, or even an animal. But this would not
+prove that natural law alone could produce life. There is nowhere any
+evidence that sensibility, contractility, and especially intellect and
+volition, are the result of any natural operations. In their properties
+they are so entirely diverse from all known physical effects, that we must
+impute them to some other than a natural cause. We must call in the power
+of a supreme intelligent Being. The laws of affinity, light, heat, and
+electricity, of endosmose and exosmose, may prepare the organization, but
+their power ends there; and hence true philosophy requires us to impute
+the phenomena of life and intellect to an extraneous and infinitely higher
+cause.</p>
+
+<p>The case, then, stands thus: In ninety-nine cases out of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> hundred, we
+are certain that organization requires the previous existence and agency
+of a being similarly organized, which we call the parent. But suppose
+that, in a very few cases, the laws of nature can produce the
+organization. It still demands another and a higher power&mdash;not a blind
+impulse, but an intelligent cause&mdash;to bestow life and intellect. To prove
+the existence of a natural cause for the arrangement of the atoms into an
+organic structure, does by no means prove the same for those higher and
+mysterious principles that make that structure a living, thinking being.</p>
+
+<p>Such, however, are the strongest arguments by which the advocates of the
+law hypothesis sustain their views of the origin of organism, life, and
+intellect. The next step in their reasoning is to show how animals and
+plants may be transmuted from one species, or genus, or family, to
+another; so that the existing vast variety can be traced to a few original
+germs. They maintain that these developments of the more from the less
+perfect have proceeded along certain parallel lines; one series of
+developments, for instance, taking the line of the fishes, another of the
+reptiles, another of the birds, another of quadrupeds, and so on.</p>
+
+<p>To prove these developments or transmutations, they appeal first to the
+physiological history of the mammalian embryo. In its earliest stages, it
+can hardly be distinguished, except in size, from the unborn polygastric
+infusoria. The brain of a human embryo appears at first like that of an
+invertebrate animal; next like that of a fish; then successively like that
+of a reptile, a bird, a rodent mammal, a ruminant, and a monkey. So the
+heart, at an early stage, looks like that of an insect; then it has two
+chambers, like that of a fish; then it becomes three chambered, like that
+of a reptile; and finally, four chambered, as in the mammalia. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>
+inference which these theorists would draw from such facts is, that man
+actually begins his existence as an animalcule, and passes successively
+through the mould or condition of other animals, before he reaches the
+highest. And the reasons why he does become a man, rather than an
+echinoderm, or a fish, or a monkey, is only some slightly modifying
+circumstance, as, for instance, a longer gestation. It appears to me,
+however, that the inferences sound philosophy should derive from such
+facts are, first, that, while there is a seeming resemblance between the
+human embryo and that of lower animals, there is, in fact, a real and a
+wide diversity; so that the one infallibly becomes an inferior animal, and
+the other a man. Could a single example be produced in which a human
+embryo stopped at and became an insect, or a fish, or a monkey, there
+might be some plausibility in the supposition. But it is as certain to
+become a man as the sun is to rise and set; and, therefore, the human
+condition results from laws as fixed as those that regulate the movements
+of the heavenly bodies. That is a very superficial philosophy which infers
+identity of nature from mere external resemblance.</p>
+
+<p>The phenomena of hybridity furnish another ground of argument in favor of
+the transmutation of species, and of course in favor of the law
+hypothesis; for that hybrids are sometimes the result of the union of
+different species will not be denied. There is, however, a natural
+repugnance to union between different species; and in a state of nature
+this can very rarely be overcome. But domestication changes and almost
+obliterates many natural instincts, and hence hybridity is far more common
+among domesticated animals and plants. As a general fact, also, the hybrid
+offspring is incapable of propagating its own race, without union with one
+of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> original species by which it was produced; and this inability to
+continue this mixed race has been generally regarded among naturalists as
+the best characteristic of species. Some, however, attempt to show that
+some hybrid races do continue from generation to generation to propagate
+their kind. But in most cases the hybrid race ere long runs out, and there
+is always a strong tendency to revert to the original stock; and were it
+not for the influence of man, probably such a thing as hybridity would
+scarcely ever have been heard of. Nature seems to have established strong
+barriers around species, so that an identity should be preserved; and even
+if we admit the possibility of their coalescence in some cases, yet we
+have evidence that almost always they are preserved distinct from century
+to century; and the same is true even of the more prominent varieties, for
+we find not only the same species, but the same varieties of animals and
+plants, preserved some three thousand years in the Egyptian catacombs,
+that are now alive in the same country. How idle, then, to suppose that
+the laws of hybridity will account for such radical and entire
+transmutations as this hypothesis supposes! To accomplish this, it would
+need as strong a tendency in nature to a union of species, genera, and
+families, as now exists against it.</p>
+
+<p>But a special appeal has been made on this subject to geology. The history
+of organic remains, it is thought, corresponds to what we might expect, if
+the hypothesis of development is true. In the oldest rocks we find chiefly
+the more simple invertebrate animals, and the vertebrated tribes appear at
+first in the form of fish, then of reptiles, then of birds, then of
+mammals, and last of all of man. What better confirmation could we wish
+than this gradually expanding series? True, all the great classes of
+organic beings, vegetable and animal, are found nearly at the earliest
+epoch, and continue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> through the entire series of rocks. But we have only
+to suppose a distinct stirps for each of the classes, and that the
+developments took place along parallel lines, in order to harmonize the
+facts with the hypothesis.</p>
+
+<p>Such a general view of the subject of organic remains seems to give
+plausibility to the hypothesis of organic development. But the tables are
+turned when we descend to particulars. The idea of a distinct stirps or
+germ for each great class of animals and plants seems to me to destroy an
+essential feature of the hypothesis. It supposes that law produces at once
+a vertebral animal and a flowering plant; for the first, certainly, we
+find in the very lowest of the fossiliferous rocks. &#8220;The lower silurian,&#8221;
+says Sir Roderick Murchison, in 1847, &#8220;is no longer to be viewed as an
+invertebrate period, for the onchus (a genus of fish) has been found in
+the Llandeilo Flags, and in the lower silurian rocks of Bala.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It is also a most important fact, that this fish of the oldest rock was
+not, as the development scheme would require, of a low organization, but
+quite high on the scale of fishes. The same is true of all the earliest
+species of this class. &#8220;All our most ancient fossil fishes,&#8221; says
+Professor Sedgwick, &#8220;belong to a high organic type; and the very oldest
+species that are well determined fall naturally into an order of fishes
+which Owen and M&uuml;ller place, not at the bottom, but at the top of the
+whole class.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Discourse on the Studies of the University</i>, &amp;c. 5th edit.
+p. lxiv. pref.</p>
+
+<p>This point has been fully and ably discussed by Hugh Miller, Esq., in his
+late work, &#8220;The Footprints of the Creator, or the Asterolepis of
+Stromness.&#8221; The asterolepis was one of these fishes found in the old red
+sandstone, sometimes over twenty feet long; yet, says Mr. Miller, &#8220;instead
+of being, as the development hypothesis would require, a fish low in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>
+organization, it seems to have ranged on the level of the highest
+ichthyic-reptilian families ever called into existence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Another point which Mr. Miller has labored hard to establish, and of which
+there seems to be no reasonable doubt, is, that in many families of
+animals, not only were the first species that appeared of high
+organization, but there was a gradual degradation among those that were
+created afterwards. Of the fishes generally, he says, that &#8220;the progress
+of the race, as a whole, though it still retains not a few of the higher
+forms, has been a progress, not of development from the low to the high,
+but of degradation from the high to the low.&#8221; Again he says, &#8220;We know, as
+geologists, that the dynasty of the fish was succeeded by that of the
+reptile; that the dynasty of the reptile was succeeded by that of the
+mammiferous quadruped; and that the dynasty of the mammiferous quadruped
+was succeeded by that of man, as man now exists&mdash;a creature of a mixed
+character, and subject, in all conditions, to wide alternations of
+enjoyment and suffering. We know further,&mdash;so far, at least, as we have
+succeeded in deciphering the record,&mdash;that the several dynasties were
+introduced, not in their lower, but in their higher forms; that, in short,
+in the imposing programme of creation, it was arranged as a general rule,
+that in each of the great divisions of the procession the magnates should
+walk first. We recognize yet further the fact of degradation specially
+exemplified in the fish and the reptile.&#8221; &#8220;Among these degraded races,
+that of the footless serpent, which <i>goeth upon its belly</i>, has long been
+noted by the theologian as a race typical, in its condition and nature, of
+an order of hopelessly degraded beings, borne down to the dust by a
+clinging curse; and curiously enough, when the first comparative
+anatomists in the world give <i>their</i> readiest and most prominent instance
+of degradation among the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> divisions of the natural world, it is this very
+order of footless reptiles that they select.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the invertebrate animals are numerous examples of the deterioration
+of a race. M. Alcide D&#8217;Orbigny, one of the most accomplished of living
+paleontologists, in his <i>Cours Elementaire de Paleontologie et de
+Geologie</i>, speaks as follows of the cephalopods found in the oldest rocks:
+&#8220;See, then, the result; the cephalopods, the most perfect of the mollusks,
+which lived in the early period of the world, show a progress of
+degradation in their generic forms. We insist on this fact relative to the
+cephalopods, which we shall hereafter compare with the less perfect
+classes of mollusks, since it must lead to the conclusion that the
+mollusks, as to their classes, have certainly retrograded from the
+compound to the simple, or from the more to the less perfect.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Such facts as these are absolutely fatal to the hypothesis of development;
+and geology abounds with them. Indeed, through all her archives, we search
+in vain for facts that show any thing like a passage of one species,
+genus, or family, into another. Certain distinct types characterize the
+different formations up to a certain period, when there is a sudden
+change; and in the subsequent strata we find animals and plants entirely
+different from those that have disappeared. The new races are, indeed,
+often of a higher grade than those that preceded them, but could not have
+sprung from them.</p>
+
+<p>The true theory of animal and vegetable existence on our globe appears to
+be this: Such natures were placed upon the earth as were adapted to its
+varying condition. When the earliest group was created, such were the
+climate, the atmosphere, the waters, and the means of subsistence, that
+the lower tribes were best adapted to the condition of things. That group
+occupied the earth till such changes had occurred as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> make it unsuited
+to their natures, and consequently they died out, and new races were
+brought in; not by mere law, but by divine benevolence, power, and wisdom.
+These tribes also passed away, when the condition of things was so changed
+as to be uncongenial to their natures, to give place to a third group, and
+these again to a fourth, and so on to the present races, which, in their
+turn, perhaps, are destined to become extinct. From the first, however,
+the changes which the earth has undergone, as to temperature, soil, and
+climate, have been an improvement of its condition; so that each
+successive group of animals and plants could be more and more complicated
+and perfect; and therefore we find an increase and development of
+flowering plants and vertebral animals. And yet, from the beginning, all
+the great classes seem to have existed, so that the changes have been only
+in the proportion of the more and less perfect at different periods. In
+short, we have only to suppose that the Creator exactly adapted organic
+natures to the several geological periods, and we perfectly explain the
+phenomena of organic remains. But the doctrine of development by law
+corresponds only in a loose and general way to the facts, and cannot be
+reconciled to the details. If that hypothesis cannot get a better foothold
+somewhere else, it will soon find its way into the limbo of things
+abortive and forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>I have now noticed, I believe, the principal sources of evidence in which
+the law hypothesis rests; and at the best, we find only a possibility, but
+rarely, if ever, a probability, that such a power exists in nature. I turn
+now, for a few moments, to the arguments on the other side; that is,
+against the hypothesis.</p>
+
+<p><i>And first, it cannot explain the wonderful adaptation of animals and
+plants to their condition and to one another.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>There is not a more striking thing in nature than that adaptation; and
+geology shows us that it has always been so. Now, if any thing requires
+the exercise of infinite wisdom and power, it is this feature of creation.
+But according to this hypothesis, the laws of nature may be so arranged as
+to create every animal and plant just at the right time, and place them in
+the right spot, and adjust every thing around them to their nature and
+wants. In other words, it supposes law capable of doing what only infinite
+wisdom and power can do. What is this but ascribing infinite perfection to
+law, and imputing to it effects which only an infinite intelligence could
+bring about? In other words, it is making a Deity of the laws which he
+ordains. Theoretically it may be of little importance by what name men
+call the Deity; but practically to impute natural effects to law, as an
+independent power, is to put a blind, unintelligent agency in the place of
+Jehovah.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, where one fact in nature looks favorable to this
+hypothesis, a thousand facts teach the contrary.</i></p>
+
+<p>Take for example the reproduction of animals. Out of every thousand
+individuals we have certain evidence that nine hundred and ninety-nine are
+brought into existence by the ordinary modes of generation; that is, they
+depend upon progenitors. Still, if in the thousandth case the animal&#8217;s
+existence was clearly casual, if we could see an elephant, or an ox, start
+into life without parental agency, that single case would prove the
+hypothesis. But never do its advocates pretend that any of the larger
+animals are produced in this way. Nor is it till they get among the
+smaller and obscure animals, whose habits are very difficult to trace out,
+that we find any examples where a suspicion even can exist of the
+communication of vitality irrespective of parental agency. Is not a strong
+presumption hence produced that further and more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> scrutinizing observation
+will show the few excepted cases not to be real exceptions? Does not sound
+philosophy demand that the proof of the casual production of the
+thousandth case shall be as decided as that of the normal generation of
+the nine hundred and ninety-nine? But no one, it seems to me, will pretend
+that any thing like such certainty exists in a single example throughout
+all nature. The presumption, then, is really more than a thousand to one
+against the hypothesis.</p>
+
+<p>Take an example from hybridity. While a thousand species retain from age
+to age their individuality, not more than one coalesces with its neighbor,
+and loses its identity. And even here, all admit that there is a constant
+tendency in the hybrid race to revert to the original stock; and there is
+strong reason to believe that this will sooner or later take place, and
+that it would speedily occur in every case, were it not for the influence
+of domestication. Such facts make the presumption very strong, that
+species are permanent, and any extensive metamorphosis impossible.
+Hybridity appears to be in a measure unnatural; and the old proverb true
+in respect to it&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Si furca naturam expellas,<br />
+Usque recurret.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>By the hypothesis under consideration, we ought to expect at least a few
+examples of the formation of new organs in animals, in the efforts of
+nature to advance towards a more perfect state. It has usually been said
+that the time since animals were first described is too short for such
+development. But we have examples, from the catacombs of Egypt, of animals
+and plants that lived in that country three thousand years ago; and yet,
+according to Cuvier,&mdash;and who is a better judge?&mdash;they are precisely like
+the living species. Strange that this great length of time should not have
+produced even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> one new organ, or the marks of a conatus to produce one. We
+are, indeed, pointed to the different varieties of the human species, as
+examples of this progress. But these diversities, also, can be shown to be
+the same now as at the earliest date of historical records; and where,
+then, is the evidence that they ever have undergone, or ever will undergo,
+any change of importance? There may indeed be examples of amalgamation,
+but under favorable circumstances the original varieties are again
+developed.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the third place, geology contradicts this hypothesis.</i></p>
+
+<p>We have seen that it offers no satisfactory explanation of the gradual
+increase of the more perfect animals and plants, as we rise higher in the
+rocks. That fact is most perfectly explained by supposing that divine
+wisdom and benevolence adapted the new species, which from time to time
+were created, to the changing and improving condition of the earth. A
+multitude of species have been dug from the rocks; but not one exhibits
+evidence of the development of new organs in the manner described by this
+hypothesis. New species often appear, but they differ as decidedly from
+the previous ones as species now do; and at the beginning of each
+formation there is often a very decided advance in the organic beings from
+those found in the top of the subjacent formation. How can this hypothesis
+explain such sudden changes, when its essential principle is, that the
+progress of the development is uniform? Nothing can explain them surely
+but special creating interposition.</p>
+
+<p>Geology also shows us that for a vast period the world existed without
+inhabitants. Now, what was it that gave the laws of nature power, after so
+long an operation unproductive of vitality, to produce organic natures?
+Who can conceive of any inherent force that should thus enable them, all
+at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> once, to do what true philosophy shows to have demanded infinite
+skill?</p>
+
+<p>In short, of all the sciences, geology most clearly shows special divine
+interference to explain its phenomena. It presents us with such stupendous
+changes, after long periods of repose, such sudden exhibitions of life,
+springing forth from the bosom of universal death, that nothing but
+divine, special, miraculous agency can explain the results. And of all the
+vast domains of nature, it seems to me no part is so barren of facts to
+sustain this hypothesis as the rocks; nor so full of facts for its
+refutation. These, however, have been so fully detailed in a previous part
+of this lecture that they need not be here repeated.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fourth place, the prodigious increase of the power and the means
+of reproduction, which we find among the lower tribes of animals, affords
+a strong presumption against this hypothesis.</i></p>
+
+<p>The animals highest on the scale, and most perfect in their organization,
+have only one mode of reproduction, viz., the viviparous. Descending a
+little lower, we come to the oviparous and ovoviviparous tribes. Passing
+to the invertebrate animals, we meet with two other modes of reproduction,
+the gemmiparous and fissiparous. In the first mode, the animal is
+propagated by buds, like some plants, as the tiger lily; by the second
+mode, a spontaneous division of the animal takes place.</p>
+
+<p>Now, in some of the lowest of the invertebrate tribes, we find most of the
+modes of propagation that have been enumerated in operation; so that the
+same individual in one set of circumstances is oviparous, in another
+gemmiparous or fissiparous. The consequence is, a power of multiplication
+inconceivably great. Mr. Owen calculates that the <i>ascaris<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> lumbricoides</i>,
+the most common intestinal worm, is capable of producing sixty-four
+millions of young; and Ehrenberg asserts that the <i>hydatina senta</i>, one of
+the infusoria, increased in twelve days to sixteen millions, and another
+species, in four days, to one hundred and seventy billions.</p>
+
+<p>Why, now, are these astonishing powers of reproduction given to these
+minute animals, if it be true that they can also be produced without
+parentage, and by mere law? This latter mode would supersede the necessity
+of the former; and therefore, the care taken by Providence to provide the
+former is a strong presumption that the latter does not exist.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fifth place, it is an instructive fact on this subject that, as
+instruments have been improved, and observations have become more
+searching, the supposed cases of spontaneous generation have diminished</i>,
+until it is not pretended now that it takes place except in a very few
+tribes, and those the most obscure and difficult to observe of all living
+things. A hundred years ago, naturalists, and especially other men, might
+easily have been made to believe that many of the smaller insects had a
+casual origin. But long since, save in the matter of the acari, the
+entomological field has been abandoned by the advocates of the law
+hypothesis, and they have been driven from one tribe after another, till
+at length some of the obscure hiding-places of the entozoa and infusoria
+are now the only spots where the light is not too strong for the
+large-pupiled eyes of this hypothesis. Is not the presumption hence
+arising very strong that it will need only a little further improvement in
+instruments and care in observation to carry daylight into these recesses,
+and demonstrate the parentage and normal development of all organic
+beings?</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally. The gross materialism inseparable from this hypothesis is a
+strong argument against it.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>I am not aware that any one, except Oken, perhaps, has ever attempted to
+show that mind, as a spiritual essence, distinct from matter, has been
+created by natural laws; in other words, that there is in nature a power
+to produce mind. All such maintain that intellect is material, or, rather,
+the result of organization, the mere function of the brain, as are also
+life and instinct. Generally, also, they contend&mdash;and, indeed, consistency
+seems to require it&mdash;that the moral powers depend chiefly upon different
+developments of the brain; so that a disposition to do wrong results more
+from organization than from punishable mental obliquity; indeed, the worst
+of criminals are often, on this account, more to be pitied than blamed,
+and the physician is of more importance than the moralist and the divine
+for their reformation.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if this system of materialism is true, we ought to embrace it,
+without any fear of ultimate bad effects. But a philosopher will hesitate
+long before he adopts a system which thus seems to degrade man from his
+lofty standing as a spiritual, accountable, and immortal being, and makes
+his intellectual and moral powers dependent upon the structure of the
+brain, and, therefore, destined to perish with the material organization,
+with no hope of future existence, unless God chooses to recreate the man.
+Nay, if there be no distinct spirit in man, what evidence have we that
+there is one in Jehovah? A true philosopher, I say, will demand very
+strong evidence before he adopts any hypothesis that leads a logical mind
+to such conclusions; and I see not how the one under consideration can
+terminate in any thing else.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the reasons that lead me to reject the hypothesis of creation by
+law. I have endeavored to treat the subject in a candid and philosophical
+manner, not charging atheism upon its advocates when they declare
+themselves Theists and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> Christians. Neither have I called in the aid of
+ridicule, as might easily be done, and as, in fact, has been done by
+almost every opponent of the system who has written upon it. I have
+endeavored to show that the hypothesis, tried in the balances of sound
+philosophy, is found wanting; because, in the first place, the facts
+adduced to sustain it are insufficient; and secondly, because, where one
+fact seems to favor it, a thousand testify against it. Is not the
+conclusion a fair one, that the hypothesis has no solid foundation? Is not
+the evidence against it overwhelming? Yet it has many advocates, and I
+must think&mdash;I hope not uncharitably&mdash;that these are the reasons: First,
+because men do not like the idea of a personal, present, overruling Deity;
+and secondly, because there is very little profound and thorough knowledge
+of natural history in the community. It is just such an hypothesis as
+chimes in with the taste of that part of the world who have a smattering
+of science, and who do not wish to live without some form of religion, but
+who still desire to free themselves from the inspection of a holy God, and
+from the responsibility which his existence and presence would impose.
+Depend upon it, gentlemen, you will meet these delusions not unfrequently
+among the cultivated classes of society, where they have already done
+immense mischief. You will, indeed, find all the eminent comparative
+anatomists and physiologists, such as Cuvier and Owen; such chemists as
+Liebig; such zo&ouml;logists as Agassiz and Edward Forbes; such botanists as
+Hooker, Henslow, Lindley, Torrey, and Gray; and such geologists as De la
+Beche, Lyell, Murchison, Sedgwick, D&#8217;Orbigny, Buckland, and Miller,
+decided in their rejection of these views. But when even educated men
+obtain only a smattering of natural science, they find something very
+fascinating in this hypothesis; and this is just the religion, or,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>
+rather, the irreligion, that suits the superficial, selfish, and
+pleasure-seeking exquisites of fashionable drawing-rooms, theatres, and
+watering-places. You will find, therefore, the need of thoroughly studying
+this subject, or you will not be able, as you would wish, to vindicate the
+cause of true science and true religion.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot terminate this discussion without referring to an ingenious
+analogy, suggested by Hugh Miller, in his &#8220;Footprints of the Creator,&#8221; and
+drawn from the facts he had stated respecting the degradation of species.
+No one who has thoroughly studied Bishop Butler&#8217;s Analogy of Natural and
+Revealed Religion to the Course of Nature will venture to say that Mr.
+Miller&#8217;s suggestions are mere fancy. As the ideas are entirely original
+with him, I give them in his own words.</p>
+
+<p>Having spoken of the several dynasties of animals that have succeeded one
+another on the globe, in a passage which we have already quoted, he says,
+&#8220;Passing on to the revealed record, we learn that the dynasty of man in
+the mixed state and character is not the final one; but that there is to
+be yet another creation, or, more properly, re-creation, known
+theologically as the resurrection, which shall be connected in its
+physical components, by bonds of mysterious paternity, with the dynasty
+which now reigns, and be bound to it mentally by the chain of identity,
+conscious and actual; but which, in all that constitutes superiority,
+shall be as vastly its superior as the dynasty of responsible man is
+superior to even the lowest of the preliminary dynasties. We are further
+taught that, at the commencement of this last of the dynasties, there will
+be a re-creation of not only elevated, but also of degraded beings&mdash;a
+re-creation of the lost. We are taught yet further that, though the
+present dynasty be that of a lapsed race, which at their first
+introduction were placed on higher ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> than that on which they now
+stand, and sank by their own act, it was yet part of the original design,
+from the beginning of all things, that they should occupy the existing
+platform; and that redemption is thus no afterthought, rendered necessary
+by the fall, but, on the contrary, part of a general scheme, for which
+provision had been made from the beginning; so that the divine Man,
+through whom the work of restoration has been effected, was in reality, in
+reference to the purposes of the Eternal, what he is designated in the
+remarkable text, <i>the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world</i>. Slain
+from the foundation of the world! Could the assertors of the stony science
+ask for language more express? By piecing the two records together,&mdash;that
+revealed in Scripture and that revealed in the rocks,&mdash;records which,
+however widely geologists may mistake the one, or commentators
+misunderstand the other, have emanated from the same great Author,&mdash;we
+learn that in slow and solemn majesty has period succeeded period, each in
+succession, ushering in a higher and yet higher scene of existence; that
+fish, reptiles, mammiferous quadrupeds, have reigned in turn; that
+responsible man, &#8216;made in the image of God,&#8217; and with dominion over all
+creatures, ultimately entered into a world ripened for his reception; but,
+further, that this passing scene, in which he forms the prominent figure,
+is not the final one in the long series, but merely the last of the
+<i>preliminary</i> scenes; and that that period to which the by-gone ages,
+incalculable in amount, with all their well-proportioned gradations of
+being, form the imposing vestibule, shall have perfection for its occupant
+and eternity for its duration. I know not how it may appear to others, but
+for my own part I cannot avoid thinking that there would be a lack of
+proportion in the series of being, were the period of perfect and
+glorified humanity abruptly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>connected, without the introduction of an
+intermediate creation of <i>responsible</i> imperfection with that of the
+dying, irresponsible brute. That scene of things in which God became man,
+and suffered, <i>seems</i>, as it no doubt <i>is</i>, a necessary link in the
+chain.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A single concluding thought forces itself upon my mind. It is this: How
+ingenious and persevering men are in deluding themselves on the subject of
+religion! Since the time of Christ, what countless devices have they
+framed to escape from the lofty truths and spiritual piety of his gospel!
+Nor are they satisfied with this; for the gospel has shed so much light
+upon the religion of nature, that even this is more than men like; and,
+therefore, every science is ransacked for facts to neutralize all
+religion. Men&#8217;s consciences do not permit them to throw off all the forms
+of religion; and, therefore, they are satisfied if they can only tear out
+its heart. They like to preserve and to embalm its external covering, as
+the naturalist does the skin of an animal for his cabinet. And as the
+latter fills his specimen with straw and arsenic, and fits glass eyes into
+it, so do men fill up their religious specimen with error and vain
+speculation, and fit into its head the eyes of false philosophy, and then
+claim for it intellectual worship. It is the business of educated men to
+show that such caricatures are neither science nor religion. May you,
+gentlemen, have your full share in this most useful and noble work.<small><a name="f19.1" id="f19.1" href="#f19">[19]</a></small></p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_X" id="LECTURE_X"></a>LECTURE X.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE.</span></p>
+
+<p>Next in importance to the question whether the Deity exists, is the
+inquiry whether he exerts any direct agency in upholding the universe and
+in controlling its events. This point has been discussed in all ages in
+which there have been philosophers or theologians, and the current of
+opinion has fallen principally into three channels.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, some have removed the Deity entirely from his works
+into a fancied extra-mundane sphere, where in solitude he might enjoy the
+blessedness of his own infinite nature, without the trouble of directing
+the events of the universe, or watching over the works of his hand.
+Forgetful of the great principle, that the intellectual powers produce
+happiness only when called into exercise, they have fancied that the care
+of the universe must be a burden to its Creator, and that it would
+derogate from his dignity. It is supposed, therefore, that the world has
+been given up to the rule of fate or chance.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, a more numerous class have maintained that the
+Supreme Being, after creating the world, committed its preservation and
+government either to a subordinate agent, or to the laws which he
+impressed upon matter and mind, which possess an inherent power to execute
+themselves; so that, in fact, God exercises no direct and immediate agency
+in natural operations. The learned and usually profound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> Cudworth adopted
+the hypothesis of a <i>plastic nature</i>, as he terms it, by which he means a
+vital, spiritual, and unintelligent, yet subordinate agent, by whose
+agency the world is governed and its operations carried on. At first view,
+this hypothesis would seem to lead inevitably to atheism; but such was not
+the intention of its author. Still, it is obviously so clumsy, that had it
+not been the product of a great mind, it never would have received so much
+notice, or called forth such mighty efforts for its refutation, as have
+been bestowed upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Two varieties of opinion exist among those who believe the world governed
+and sustained by natural laws, established by the Deity. Some maintain
+that these laws are general, not particular; not extending to minor
+events, but only the more important; not providing for species, but only
+for families. Hence they suppose that these general cases may interfere
+with one another, and produce results apparently repugnant to the
+intention of their Author. Others, shocked at the absurdity of such
+conclusions, believe the laws of nature to extend to every event, and
+never to interfere with one another, and always to act in accordance with
+the divine will and appointment, but without any direct agency exerted by
+the Deity. They suppose these laws&mdash;in other words, secondary agencies&mdash;to
+have the power of producing all natural phenomena.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, there are others who believe that a law can have no
+efficiency without the presence and agency of the lawgiver. They,
+therefore, suppose every event in the natural world to be the result of
+the direct and immediate agency of God. What we call laws are only the
+uniform mode of his operation. They agree with the advocates of the
+last-named theory in supposing the laws of nature to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> extend to every
+event, and to be in accordance with the ordination of the Deity; but they
+differ in maintaining that the presence and direct efficiency of a
+lawgiver are essential to the operation of natural laws.</p>
+
+<p>I should then define a Special Providence to be an event brought about
+apparently by natural laws, yet, in fact, the result of a special agency,
+on the part of the Deity, to meet a particular exigency, either by an
+original arrangement of natural laws, or by a modification of second
+causes, out of sight at the time.</p>
+
+<p>The doctrine, which supposes the Deity to exercise a superintendence and
+direction over all the affairs of the universe, in any of the modes that
+have been mentioned, whether by a subordinate agent, or by laws, general
+or particular, with inherent self-executing power, or by the direct
+efficiency of the divine will, is called the doctrine of divine
+providence. If the superintendence extend only to general laws, it is
+called a general providence. If those laws reach every possible case, it
+is called a particular or universal providence.</p>
+
+<p>By a <i>Miraculous Providence</i> is meant a superintendence over the world
+that interferes, when desirable, with the regular operations of nature,
+and brings about events, either in opposition to natural laws, or by
+giving them a less or greater power than usual. In either of these cases,
+the events cannot be explained by natural laws; they are above, or
+contrary to, nature, and, therefore, are called miracles, or prodigies.</p>
+
+<p>There may be, and, as I believe, there is, another class of occurrences,
+intermediate between miracles and events strictly natural. These take
+place in perfect accordance with the natural laws within human view, and
+appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by those laws; and yet, in some
+way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> or other, we learn that they required some special exercise of divine
+power, out of human view, for their production. Thus, according to the
+views of most Christian denominations, conversion takes place in the human
+heart in perfect accordance with the laws of mind, and could be
+philosophically explained by them; yet revelation assures that it <i>is not
+of blood,</i> [natural descent,] <i>nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
+will of man, but of God</i>. Divine power, therefore, is essential to the
+change, although we see only the operation of natural causes. So a storm
+may appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by natural laws; and yet
+divine efficiency might have produced a change in some of those laws out
+of our sight, and thus meet a particular exigency. Such events I call
+<i>special providence</i>; and I maintain that we cannot tell how frequently
+they may occur.</p>
+
+<p>It is chiefly the bearings of science, especially of geology, upon the
+doctrine of miraculous and special providence, which I wish to consider.
+But it may form a useful introduction, to state the evidence, which goes
+to show that the agency of the Deity, in the ordinary operations of
+nature, is a direct efficiency; or, in other words, that the laws of
+nature are only the modes in which divine agency operates.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, if we suppose ever so many secondary causes to be
+concerned in natural events, the efficiency must, after all, be referred
+to God.</p>
+
+<p>What is a secondary cause? or, in other words, what is a law of nature
+considered as a cause? It is simply a uniform mode of operation. We find
+that heavy bodies uniformly tend towards the earth&#8217;s centre, and that we
+call the law of gravity; but if those bodies sometimes ascended, and
+sometimes moved horizontally, under the same circumstances, we could not
+infer the existence of such a law.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>Now, there must be some cause for uniformity of operation in nature. There
+must be some foreign power, which gives the uniformity, since it is
+certain that the law itself can possess no efficiency. We may, indeed,
+find one law dependent upon a second law, and this upon a third, and so
+on. But the inquiry still arises, What gives the efficiency to this second
+and third law? and still the answer must be, Something out of itself. So
+that if we run back on the chain of causes ever so far, we must still
+resort to the power of the Deity to find any efficiency that will produce
+the final result. In most cases, we can trace back only one or two links
+on the chain. For instance, we account for the falling of all bodies by
+the law of gravity. But philosophers have wearied themselves in vain to
+find any cause for gravity, except in the will of God. The failure of
+every other hypothesis, though invented by such men as Newton and Le Sage,
+has been signal. Sound philosophy, then, requires us to infer that gravity
+owes its efficiency to the direct exertion of divine power. And so in all
+cases, when we can no longer discover second causes for any phenomenon,
+why should we imagine their existence, rather than refer it to the agency
+of God? For go back as far as we may, and discover a thousand intervening
+causes, the efficiency resides alone in God. We have no evidence that even
+infinite power can communicate that efficiency to the laws of nature, so
+that they can act without the presence and agency of God. The common idea,
+which endows those laws with independent power, will not bear examination.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, if natural operations do not depend upon the exercise
+of divine power, no other efficient cause can be assigned for their
+production.</p>
+
+<p>We have seen that in the laws of nature, independently of the Deity, there
+is no efficiency; and I know not where else<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> we can resort for any agency
+to carry forward the operations of nature, except to the same infinite
+Being. The fate and chance of the ancients, the plastic nature of
+Cudworth, the delegated nature of Lamarck, are indeed names invented by
+men to designate a certain imaginary efficiency residing somewhere,
+independent of the Deity, by which the phenomena of nature have been
+supposed to be produced. But the moment they are described, they are found
+to be mere imaginary agencies, meaning nothing more than the course of
+nature, or the laws of nature, which we have seen possess no independent
+efficiency. To a divine agency, therefore, we must resort, or be left
+without any adequate cause for the complicated and wonderful processes of
+nature.</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, this view of the subject is strongly confirmed by the
+Christian Scriptures.</p>
+
+<p>How universal is the divine agency represented in the well-known
+passage&mdash;<i>for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things</i>.
+Equally vivid is Paul&#8217;s statement on Mars Hill&mdash;<i>In him we live, and move,
+and have our being.</i> How graphic a description is the 147th Psalm of God&#8217;s
+agency in the natural world! Not only is all good ascribed to God, but
+evil also. By the mouth of Isaiah he says, <i>I form light and create
+darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things.</i>
+In short, no event in the material or spiritual world is by the sacred
+writers ascribed to chance, or to nature, or the laws of nature, as it is
+among men; but to the direct efficiency of God. Nor is there any
+difference in this respect between miracles and common events. The one
+class is represented as originating in the agency of God, just as much as
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>Finally. It will hardly be thought strange, in view of the preceding
+considerations, that a large proportion of the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> acute and
+philosophical minds in modern times have preferred this view of divine
+providence to any other.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Isaac Newton declares that the various parts of the world, organic and
+inorganic, &#8220;can be the effect of nothing else than the wisdom and skill of
+a powerful, ever-living Agent, who, being in all places, is more able by
+his will to move the bodies within his boundless, uniform <i>sensorium</i>,
+thereby to form and reform the parts of the universe, than we are by our
+will to move the parts of our own bodies.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Says Dr. Clarke, the friend and disciple of Newton, &#8220;All things which we
+commonly say are the effects of the natural powers of matter, and laws of
+motion, are, indeed, if we will speak strictly and properly, the effects
+of God&#8217;s action upon matter continually, and at every moment, either
+immediately by himself, or mediately by some created, intelligent being.
+Consequently there is no such thing as the course of nature, or the power
+of nature, independent of the effects produced by the will of God.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In speaking of the principle of vegetable life, Sir James Edward Smith,
+the eminent botanist, says, &#8220;I humbly conceive that, if the human
+understanding can in any case flatter itself with obtaining, in the
+natural world, a glimpse of the <i>immediate agency</i> of the Deity, it is in
+the contemplation of this <i>vital principle</i>, which seems independent of
+material organization, and an impulse, of his own divine
+energy.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Introduction to Botany</i>, p. 26, (Boston edition.)</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We would no way be understood,&#8221; says Sir John Herschel, &#8220;to deny the
+constant exercise of this [God&#8217;s] direct power in maintaining the system
+of nature, or the ultimate emanation of every energy, which material
+agents exert, from his immediate will, acting in conformity with his own
+laws.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Discourse on Nat. Philosophy.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>&#8220;A law,&#8221; says
+Professor Whewell, &#8220;supposes an agent and a power; for it is
+the mode according to which the agent proceeds, the order according to
+which the power acts. Without the presence of such an agent, of such a
+power, conscious of the relations on which the law depends, producing the
+effects which the law prescribes, the law can have no efficiency, no
+existence. Hence we infer that the intelligence by which the law is
+ordained, the power by which it is put in action, must be present at all
+times and in all places where the effects of the law occur; that thus the
+knowledge and the agency of the divine Being pervades every portion of the
+universe, producing all action and passion, all permanence and change. The
+laws of nature are the laws which He, in his wisdom, prescribes to his own
+acts; his universal presence is the necessary condition of any course of
+events; his universal agency the only origin of any efficient
+force.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater Treatise</i>, p. 270.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The student in natural philosophy,&#8221; observes the Bishop of London, &#8220;will
+find rest from all those perplexities, which are occasioned by the
+obscurity of causation, in the proposition which, although it was
+discredited by the patronage of Malebranche and the Cartesians, has been
+adopted by Clarke and Dugald Stewart, and which is by far the most simple
+and sublime account of the matter&mdash;that all events which are continually
+taking place in the different parts of the material universe are the
+<i>immediate</i> effects of the divine agency.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Whewell&#8217;s Bridgewater
+Treatise</i>, p. 273.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Jonathan Edwards,&#8221; says M&#8217;Cosh in his Method of the Divine Government,
+&#8220;somewhere illustrates the manner in which God upholds the universe, by
+the way in which an image is upheld in a mirror. That image is maintained
+by a continual flow of rays of light, each succeeding pencil of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> which
+does not differ from that by which the image was first produced. He
+conceives that the universe is, in every part of it, supported in a
+similar way by a continual succession of acts of the divine will, and
+these not differing from that which at first caused the world to spring
+into existence. Now, it may be safely said of this theory that it cannot
+be disproved. Several considerations may be urged in support of it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Which of the views respecting divine providence that have been stated has
+the best practical tendency, seems hardly to admit of doubt. If we believe
+that God has submitted the direction and government of this world to a
+subordinate agent, a plastic nature; or if we suppose he has impressed
+matter and mind with certain general laws, which have the power of
+executing themselves without his agency, and especially if in their
+operation they do sometimes actually clash with one another, or even if
+those laws extend to every movement of matter and mind,&mdash;still, if they do
+not require divine efficiency, men cannot but feel that God is removed
+from his works, and that the laws of nature, and not his agency, are their
+security. But if they believe that every movement of matter or mind
+requires a direct exercise of divine power or efficiency, just as much as
+if every event was a miracle, it cannot but bring God near to us, and make
+us realize his presence.</p>
+
+<p>If we obtain a timepiece from London or Paris, which contains all the
+springs and wheels requisite to keep it in operation, by occasionally
+winding it up, how little do we think of the artist who constructed it,
+except, perhaps, occasionally to admire his ingenuity! But if it had been
+necessary for that artist to accompany the chronometer, and actually to
+put forth the strength of his own arm every moment to keep it in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> motion,
+how much more should we think of him and realize his presence! The same
+effect, in a greater or less degree, will attend the belief that God must
+be not only virtually, but substantially, present every where, and be
+constantly exercising his power to keep in operation the vast machine of
+the universe. It cannot but deeply impress the heart, and exert a most
+salutary influence upon the affections, to realize that every event around
+us is brought about by the immediate agency of the supreme Being.</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding the salutary influence of this view of Providence upon
+our moral feelings, and though philosophy pronounces it decidedly the most
+reasonable, still it meets with strong opposition. I need not stop to
+notice the objections, that it makes God the author of evil as well as
+good, and that it represents man as a mere machine in the hands of the
+Deity, and therefore takes away human responsibility. I say I need not
+stop to answer such objections, because they lie equally strong against
+any system which makes God the original author of the universe. But a more
+plausible objection is, that it makes all events miraculous. This
+objection is based on the supposition that every event which takes place
+through the direct and immediate agency of God is a miracle. But is this
+the true meaning of a miracle? Is the term ever applied to any but
+extraordinary events? It may or it may not imply a contravention of the
+laws of nature. But it does always imply something which the laws of
+nature cannot produce, and which, of course, they cannot explain. It is
+always the result of some new force coming in to the aid of the laws of
+nature, or in the place of them, or even sometimes, perhaps, in opposition
+to them; as when the <i>sun stood still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the
+valley of Ajalon</i>. Hence an event may take place through the direct and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>immediate agency of God, and yet not be a miracle. If it be neither
+above, nor independent of, nor in opposition to the laws of nature, then
+it forms a part of the ordinary providence of God; it is a part of the
+usual, the fixed and uniform course of nature, and can be explained by
+known and unalterable laws. The nature of the event is not affected at all
+by the question whether it is produced by the direct efficiency of God, or
+by a power inherent in those laws. We, who believe that the direct
+efficiency of God is necessary to the operation, and even to the
+existence, of the laws of nature, are just as firm believers in the
+constancy of those laws as he who supposes them possessed of inherent
+powers. When that constancy is interrupted in any way, we call it a
+miracle. Hence it appears that our views of the nature of a miracle are
+the same as his, viz., an event which takes place out of the ordinary
+course of nature; and, therefore, our system is no more liable to the
+objection that all events are made miracles than his system.</p>
+
+<p>The way is now prepared for inquiring what geology teaches respecting the
+ordinary and extraordinary providence of God over this world.</p>
+
+<p>The evidences of ordinary providence, which are common to geology and
+other sources of proof, I shall pass by; both because they are familiar to
+all, and because I have, in a former lecture, shown the existence and
+operation of the present laws of nature in all past ages. But there is one
+feature of the past condition of the world taught by geology to which I
+would call your attention, as exhibiting a more impressive view of the
+wisdom and skill of ordinary providence than almost any other department
+of nature presents. When the heavenly bodies are once put under the
+control of the two great forces that guide them, viz., the centrifugal and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>centripetal, we see no reason why they may not move on forever in their
+accustomed paths. But the two great agents of geological change, fire and
+water, have an aspect of great irregularity and violence, and are
+apparently less under the control of mathematical laws. In the mighty
+intensity of their action in early times, we can hardly see how there
+could have been much of security or permanence in the state of the globe,
+without the constant restraining energy of Jehovah. We feel as if the
+earth&#8217;s crust must have been constantly liable to be torn in pieces by
+volcanic fires, or drenched by sweeping deluges. And yet the various
+economies of life on the globe, that have preceded the present, have all
+been seasons of profound repose and uniformity. The truth is, these mighty
+agencies have been just as much under the divine control as those which
+regulate the heavenly bodies; and I doubt not but the laws that regulate
+their action are as fixed and mathematical as those which guide the sun,
+moon, and planets. Still, it must have required infinite wisdom and power
+so to arrange the agencies of nature that the desolating action of fire
+and water should take place only at those epochs when every thing was in
+readiness for the ruin of an old economy and the introduction of a new
+one. Geological agencies differ from astronomical in this&mdash;that the former
+must be allowed an irregular action within certain limits; whereas the
+latter act with unvarying uniformity in all circumstances. If the former
+had not some room for irregular action, they would not act at all; but if
+allowed too much liberty, they will destroy what they were intended to
+preserve. And God does restrain, and always has restrained them, just at
+the point where desolation would be the result of their more powerful
+operation. I do not, indeed, contend that it requires more power or wisdom
+to bind those mighty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> agencies within proper limits than to control the
+heavenly bodies. But to our limited faculties it certainly seems a more
+difficult work; and, therefore, the geological history of the globe gives
+us a more impressive idea of the ordinary providence of God than we see in
+the calm and uniform movements of nature around us.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, geology furnishes us with some very striking
+examples of miraculous providence.</i></p>
+
+<p>In disproving the eternity of the organic world, in a former lecture, I
+adduced and illustrated these examples so fully, that I shall do little
+more in this place than give a recapitulation of that argument.</p>
+
+<p>If we suppose the earth originally to have been merely a diffused mass of
+vapor, like comets, or nebul&aelig;, I can conceive how, by the operation of
+such natural laws as now exist, it might have been condensed into a solid
+globe; into a melted state, indeed, from the amount of heat extricated in
+the condensation. Those same laws might subsequently form over the molten
+mass a solid crust, which, at length, might be ridged and furrowed by the
+action of internal heat, so as to form the basis of continents and the
+beds of oceans. In due time, the vapors might condense, so as to fill
+those basins with water; and, by the mutual and alternate action of the
+waters above and the heat beneath, the rocks might be comminuted, so as to
+form the basis of soils. So far might the arrangements of the world have
+proceeded by natural laws; in other words, by the ordinary providence of
+God. But at this point we must bring in an extraordinary agency of the
+Deity, or the world would have remained, in the expressive language of
+revelation, <i>without form and void</i>; that is, invisible and unfurnished.
+You have, indeed, the framework of a world, but the most difficult and
+complicated part of the work,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> the creation of plants and animals, remains
+yet to be performed. Here, then, is the precise point where you must call
+in the miraculous agency of the Deity, or the earth would forever remain
+an uninhabited waste. For if it does not require miraculous agency to
+bring into existence animals and plants, I know not what can require it,
+or prove its operation. I can almost as easily conceive how matter might
+spring from nothing fortuitously, certainly I can as easily conceive of
+its eternity, as that organism and life can result from the ordinary laws
+of nature.</p>
+
+<p>It may be, however, that I shall here be met by the statement, that some
+distinguished geologists maintain the probable existence of organized
+beings on the globe at an indefinitely earlier period than that in which
+their remains first appear in the rocks. They contend that the extreme
+heat which has melted the older rocks has obliterated all traces of
+organic existence below a certain line. Now, in order to meet this
+difficulty, it is not necessary to show this opinion to be erroneous. We
+have only to advance another step in our general argument, which brings us
+upon ground admitted to be good by the geologists above alluded to. They
+all of them believe that many new animals and plants have from time to
+time appeared on the globe; that, in fact, there have been several almost
+entire changes in its inhabitants. Most of them suppose these new races to
+have been introduced in large numbers at particular epochs, though some
+prefer the theory which supposes the new species to have been introduced
+one by one, as the old ones became extinct. But even this supposition does
+not essentially affect my argument; because they all allow that these
+successive species were really new, and could not have been the result of
+any metamorphosis of the old species. And it is the fact that new organic
+beings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> have, from time to time, been created, that is alone essential to
+my argument. Whether they were created by groups or singly, is an
+interesting geological question; but, in either case, miraculous power
+must have been put forth as really and as efficiently to call into
+existence a single new species of animalcula, or sea-weed, as to introduce
+an entirely new race. The successive economies of organic life that have
+existed on the earth, and passed from it, do most unequivocally
+demonstrate the extraordinary or miraculous providence of God.</p>
+
+<p>But we might abandon even this strong ground of our argument, and still
+geology would afford us a most unequivocal example of the creative agency
+of the Deity. That science shows, beyond all question, that man, and most
+of his contemporary races of animals and plants, have not always occupied
+this globe; and, indeed, that they were not placed upon it till nearly
+every form buried in the rocks had passed away. And since those races
+which now inhabit the globe have among them a larger proportion of highly
+organized and more complicated species than have ever before been
+contemporaries,&mdash;especially since man is among them, confessedly the most
+perfect in organization and in intellect of all the beings that ever
+occupied this planet,&mdash;we can here point to the highest exercise of
+creative power ever exhibited in this lower world, as a certain memento of
+God&#8217;s extraordinary or miraculous providence. Indeed, who, that has any
+adequate idea of the wonders of man&#8217;s intellectual, moral, and immortal
+nature, and of the strange extremes that meet and harmonize in his
+physical and intellectual constitution, will believe that any loftier
+miracle has ever been exhibited on this globe than his creation?</p>
+
+<p>But I have already dwelt so long upon this whole argument<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> in a former
+lecture, that I will add no more in this place. If the facts which I have
+stated do not prove the miraculous agency of the Deity in past ages, I
+know not how it can be proved. But assuming this position to be
+established, and several inferences of importance will follow.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, this subject removes all philosophical presumption
+against a special revelation from heaven.</i></p>
+
+<p>If we can prove that the Deity has often so interfered with the course of
+nature as to introduce new species, nay, whole races of animals and plants
+upon the globe,&mdash;if, in a comparatively recent period, he has created a
+moral and immortal being, endowed with all the powers of a free and an
+accountable agent,&mdash;it would surely be no more wonderful if he should
+communicate to that being his will by a written revelation. Indeed, the
+benevolence of the Deity, as we learn it from nature, would create a
+presumption that such a revelation would be given, if it appear, as we
+know it does, that no sufficient knowledge is inherent in his nature to
+guide him in the path of duty; since such a revelation would be no greater
+miracle than to people the world, originally destitute of life, and then
+to repeople it again and again, with so vast a variety of organic natures.
+Philosophy has sometimes been disinclined to admit the claims of
+revelation, because it implies a supernatural agency of the Deity; and,
+until recently, revelation seemed to be a solitary example of special
+interference on the part of Jehovah. But geology adds other examples, long
+anterior to revelation&mdash;examples registered, like the laws of Sinai, on
+tables of stone. And the admission of the geological evidence of special
+interference with the regular sequence of nature&#8217;s operations ought to
+predispose the mind for listening to the appropriate proofs of a moral
+communication to ignorant and erring man.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span><i>In the second place, the subject shows us how groundless is the famous
+objection to the miracles recorded in Scripture, founded on the position
+that they are contrary to experience.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is,&#8221; says Mr. Hume, &#8220;a maxim worthy of our attention, that no
+testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of
+such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact
+which it endeavors to establish.&#8221; Hence he asserts, that &#8220;the evidence of
+testimony, when applied to a miracle, carries falsehood on the very face
+of it, and is more properly a subject of derision than of argument,&#8221; and
+that &#8220;whoever believes the Christian religion is conscious of a continued
+miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his
+understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most
+contrary to custom and experience.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At the time when Mr. Hume wrote, and with his great skill in weaving
+together metaphysical subtilties, such an argument might deceive
+superficial minds; for then a miracle was supposed to be contrary to all
+experience. But geology has disclosed many new chapters in the world&#8217;s
+history, and shown the existence of miracles earlier than chronological
+dates. Even Mr. Hume would hardly deny that the creation of whole series
+of animals and plants was miraculous; and yet, in proof of that creation,
+we need not depend upon testimony; for we can read it with our own eyes
+upon the solid rocks. Such proof appeals directly to our common sense; nor
+can any ingenious quibble, concerning the nature of human testimony,
+weaken its influence in producing conviction.</p>
+
+<p>And if God has wrought stupendous miracles of creation in order to people
+the world, who does not see that it is still more probable he would
+perform other miracles when they were needed to substantiate a revelation
+of his will to those moral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> and accountable beings, who needed its special
+teachings to make them acquainted with their God, their duty, and their
+destiny?</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally. The subject removes all presumption against the exercise of a
+special and miraculous providence in the divine government of the world.</i></p>
+
+<p>In all ages of the world, philosophers, and even many theologians, have
+been strenuous opposers of special and miraculous providence. If they have
+admitted, as most of the latter class have done, that some miracles were
+performed in ancient times, they have strenuously maintained that the
+doctrine of special providence in these days is absurd, and that God
+cannot, without a miracle, bestow any special favors upon the virtuous in
+answer to their prayers, or inflict any special punishments upon the
+wicked; and that it is fanaticism to expect any other retributions than
+such as the ordinary and unmodified course of nature brings along with it.</p>
+
+<p>The unvarying constancy of nature, in consequence of being governed by
+fixed laws, is the grand argument which they adduce in opposition to any
+supposed special providence. <i>Since the fathers fell asleep</i>, say they,
+<i>all things continue as they were from the beginning.</i> God has subjected
+the world to the government of laws, and he will not interfere with,
+counteract, set aside, or give a supernatural force to those laws, to meet
+particular exigencies. For the adjustment of all apparent inequalities of
+good and evil, suffering and enjoyment here, we must wait for the
+disclosure of eternity, when strict retributive Justice will hold her even
+scales. When natural evils come upon us, therefore, it is idle to expect
+their removal, except so far as they may be mitigated or overcome by
+natural means; and hence it is useless to pray for their removal, or to
+expect God will deliver us from them in any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> other way. When the heavens
+over us become brass, and the earth under our feet iron, and the rain of
+our land is powder and dust, and want, and famine, as the consequence,
+stalk forth among the inhabitants, of what use to pray to God for rain,
+since to give it would require a miracle, and the age of miracles has
+passed? When the pestilence is scouring through the land, and our
+neighbors and nearest friends are within its grasp, and we may next become
+its victims,&mdash;nay, when we, too, are on the borders of the grave,&mdash;why
+should we expect relief by prayer, since sickness is the result of natural
+causes, and God will not interpose to save us from the effects of natural
+evils, because that would be contrary to a fixed rule of his government?
+When dangers cluster around the good man in the discharge of trying
+duties, it would be enthusiasm in him to expect any special protection
+against his enemies, though he pray ever so fervently, and trust in divine
+deliverance with ever so much confidence. He must look to another world
+for his reward, if called to suffer here. Nor has the daringly wicked man
+any reason to fear that God will punish his violations of the divine law
+by any unusual display of his power; not in any way, indeed, but by the
+evils which naturally flow from a wicked life. In short, it will be
+useless to pray for any blessing that requires the least interference with
+natural laws, or for the removal of any evil which depends upon those
+laws. And since our minds are controlled as much by laws as the functions
+of our bodies, we are not to expect any blessings in our souls, which
+require the least infringement of intellectual laws. In fine, the effect
+of prayer is limited almost entirely to its influence upon our own hearts,
+in preparing them to receive with a proper spirit natural blessings, and
+to bear aright natural evils; to stimulate us to use<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> with more diligence
+the means of avoiding or removing the latter, and securing the former.</p>
+
+<p>Not a few philosophers of distinction, and some theologians, have adopted
+these views. Even Dr. Thomas Brown uses the following language: &#8220;It is
+quite evident that even Omnipotence, which cannot do what is
+contradictory, cannot combine both advantages&mdash;the advantage of regular
+order in the sequences of nature, and the advantages of a uniform
+adaptation of the particular circumstances of the individual. We may take
+our choice, but we cannot think of a combination of both; and if, as is
+very obvious, the greater advantage be that of uniformity of operation, we
+must not complain of the evils to which that very uniformity which we
+cannot fail to prefer&mdash;if the option had been allowed us&mdash;has been the
+very circumstance that gave rise.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Lecture 94.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Science,&#8221; says George Combe, &#8220;has banished from the minds of profound
+thinkers belief in the exercise by the Deity, in our day, of special acts
+of supernatural power, as a means of influencing human affairs; and it has
+presented a systematic order of nature, which man may study, comprehend,
+and follow, as a guide to his practical conduct. Many educated laymen, and
+also a number of the clergy, have declined to recognize fasts,
+humiliations, and prayers, as means adapted, according to their views, to
+avert the recurrence of the evil, [the potato blight.] Indeed, these
+observances, inasmuch as they mislead the public mind with respect to its
+causes, are regarded by such persons as positive evils.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The most irreligious of all religious notions, as it seems to us,&#8221; says
+the North American Review, &#8220;is a belief in special providences; for if the
+doctrine has any weight at all, it is gained at the expense of a general
+providence. To assume to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> detect God as nearer to us on some occasions is
+to put him farther off from us on other occasions. To have him in special
+incidents is to forget him in the common tenor of events. The doctrine of
+special providences evidently has no other foundation than this, that men
+<i>think they can detect</i> God&#8217;s purpose and presence more signally in some
+incidents than in others; so that the doctrine, after all, is only a
+compliment to man&#8217;s power of detection, instead of an acknowledgment of
+God&#8217;s special presence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Such views and reasonings seem, upon a superficial examination, to be very
+plausible. But when we look into the Bible, we cannot but see that the
+main drift of it is directly opposed to such notions. That book does
+encourage man to pray to God for the removal of evils of every kind; evils
+as much dependent upon natural laws as the daily course of the sun through
+the heavens. It does teach us to look to God in every trying situation for
+deliverance, if it is best for us to be delivered. It does represent the
+wicked man as in danger of special punishment. It exhibits a multitude of
+examples, in which God has thus delivered those who trusted in him, and
+punished those who violated his laws.</p>
+
+<p>In every age, too, the most devotedly pious men have testified, that they
+have found deliverance and support in circumstances in which mere natural
+laws could afford them no relief. Moreover, when men are brought into
+great peril or suffering of any kind, they involuntarily cry to God for
+help. When the vessel founders in the fury of the storm, the hardened
+sailor employs that breath in ardent prayer which just before had been
+poured out in blasphemies. And when the widowed mother hears the tempest
+howling around her dwelling at night, she cannot but pray for the
+protection of her child upon the treacherous sea. When violent disease
+racks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> the frame, and we feel ourselves rapidly sinking into the grave, it
+is scarcely in human nature to omit crying to God with a feeling that he
+can save us. In short, it is a dictate of nature to call upon God in times
+of trouble. Our reasoning about the constancy of nature, which appears to
+us while in safety so clearly to show prayer for the removal of natural
+evils to be useless, loses its power, and the feelings of the heart
+triumph. It now becomes, therefore, an important practical question, which
+of these views of the providence of God is correct. Is it those which our
+reasoning derives from the constancy of nature, or those inspired by piety
+and the Bible? I have already said, that the subject of this lecture
+removes all presumption against the latter view; and I now proceed to show
+how God can exercise a special providence over the world, so as to meet
+the case of every individual, whether for blessing or punishment, and
+that, too, without miracles.</p>
+
+<p>Whoever believes that geology discloses stupendous miracles of creation,
+at various epochs, will not doubt that all presumption against miraculous
+agency at any other time is thus removed. For we are thus shown that the
+law of miracles forms a part of the divine plan in the government of the
+world. But this does not prove the same to be the fact in respect to a law
+of special providence.</p>
+
+<p>It is indeed true that geology gives us no distinct examples of special
+providence, in the sense which we have attached to that term in the
+present lecture. But it does furnish a multitude of instances in which
+changes of physical condition in the earth were met by most wisely adapted
+changes of organic nature. And even though these changes were the result
+of miraculous agency, they disclose this principle of the divine
+government, viz., that peculiarities of condition are to be met by special
+arrangements, so that every exigency shall be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> provided for in the manner
+infinite wisdom sees to be best. Now, this principle constitutes the
+essence of special providence; and, therefore, geology, in showing its
+past operation in the world&#8217;s early organic history, affords a presumption
+that the same unchanging God may still employ it in his natural and moral
+government.</p>
+
+<p>But does not this principle of special adaptation to individual exigencies
+demand miraculous agency in all cases? Can the wants of individuals be met
+in any other way than by miracles, or by the ordinary and settled laws of
+nature? I maintain that there are other modes in which this can be done;
+in which, in fact, every case requiring special interference can be met
+exactly and fully.</p>
+
+<p><i>This can be done, in the first place, by a divine influence exerted upon
+the human mind, unperceived by the individual.</i></p>
+
+<p>If it were perceived, it would constitute a miracle. But can we doubt that
+the Author of mind should be able to influence it directly and indirectly,
+unperceived by the man so acted upon? Even man can do this to his fellow;
+and shall such a power be denied to God?</p>
+
+<p>Now, in many cases,&mdash;I do not say all,&mdash;it only needs that the minds of
+others should be inclined to do so and so towards a man, in order to place
+him in circumstances most unlike those that would have surrounded him
+without such an influence. Even the very elements, being to some extent
+under human control, can thus be made subservient, or adverse, to an
+individual; and, indeed, by a change in the feelings and conduct of others
+towards us, by an unseen influence upon their minds, our whole outward
+condition may be changed. In this way, therefore, can God, in many
+instances, confer blessings on the virtuous, or execute punishment upon
+the wicked, or give special answers to special prayer; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> yet there
+shall be no miracle about it, nor even the slightest violation of a law of
+matter or of mind. The result may seem to us only the natural effect of
+those laws, and yet the divine influence may have modified the effect to
+any extent.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, God can so modify the second causes of events out of
+our sight, as to change wholly, or in part, the final result, and yet not
+disturb the usual order of nature within sight, so that there shall be no
+miracle.</i></p>
+
+<p>A miracle requires that the usual order of nature, as man sees it, be
+interrupted, or some force superadded to her agency. But if such change
+take place out of our sight, it might not disturb that order within sight;
+and, therefore, to us it would be no miracle.</p>
+
+<p>The mode in which this can be done depends upon the fact that in nature we
+often find several causes, essential to produce an effect, connected
+together, as it were, in a chain; so that each link depends upon that
+which precedes it. Thus the power of vision depends upon the optic nerve,
+in the bottom of the eye. But this would be useless, were not the coats
+and humors of the eye of a certain consistence and curvature, in order to
+bring the rays together to form an image on the retina. Again, these coats
+and humors depend upon light, and light depends for its transmission,
+probably, upon that exceedingly elastic medium called the <i>luminiferous
+ether</i>. This is as far back as we can trace the series of causes concerned
+in producing vision. And yet this elastic ether may depend upon something
+else, and this cause of the movement of the ether upon another cause; and
+we know not how long the chain may be before we reach the great First
+Cause. Now, if any one of this series of second causes be modified, the
+effect will be a modification of the final result. This supposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>
+modification may take place in that part of the chain of causes within our
+view, or in that part concealed from us. If it took place within sight, it
+would constitute a miracle; because the regular sequence of cause and
+effect would be broken off, or an unnatural power be imparted to the cause
+producing the ultimate effect. If the modification took place in that part
+of the chain of second causes out of our sight, the final effect would be
+no miracle; because it would be brought about by natural laws, and these
+would perfectly explain it. Nevertheless, this ultimate effect would be
+different from what it would be if God had not touched and modified that
+link of causation which lies out of our sight, back among the secret
+agencies of his will. And I see not but in this way he might modify the
+ultimate effect as much as he pleased, and still preserve the unvarying
+constancy of nature. For in all these cases we should see only the links
+of the chain of causes nearest to us; and, provided they operated in their
+usual order, how could we know that any change had taken place in the
+region beyond our knowledge? If the whole chain of causation were open to
+our inspection, then, indeed, would the transaction be an obvious miracle;
+but now we see nothing but the unchanging operation of natural laws.</p>
+
+<p>To illustrate this principle, let us imagine a few examples. Suppose the
+land visited by drought, and its pious inhabitants assemble to pray for
+rain. We know very well that the causes on which a storm of rain depend
+are very complicated. How easy for the divine Being, in answer to those
+prayers, to modify one or more of these secret agencies of meteorological
+change, that are concealed from our sight, so as to bring together the
+vapors over the land and condense them into rain! And yet that storm shall
+have nothing about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> it unusual, and it results from the same laws which we
+have before seen to be in operation. Still, it may have been the result of
+a special agency exerted by Jehovah in answer to prayer, yet in such a
+manner that no known law of nature is infringed upon, or even rendered
+more powerful in its action.</p>
+
+<p>Equally intricate and complicated are the causes of disease, and
+especially of those pestilences that sometimes march over a whole
+continent, with the angel of death in their train; and alike easy is it
+for God, in answer to earnest prayer, to avert their progress, or to
+cripple their power, or turn them aside from a particular district,
+without the least interference with the visible connection of cause and
+effect.</p>
+
+<p>The beloved father of a family lies upon a bed of sickness, and disease is
+fast gaining upon the powers of life. His numerous and desolate family, in
+spite of the cold suggestion that it will be of no avail, will earnestly
+beseech the Being in whose hands is the power of disease, to arrest the
+fatal malady. And could not their Father in heaven, in the way I have
+pointed out, give them their request, and yet their parent&#8217;s recovery be
+the natural result of careful nursing and medical skill? imposing,
+however, upon that family as great an obligation as if a manifest miracle
+had been wrought to save him.</p>
+
+<p>The widow&#8217;s only son, in spite of her counsels and entreaties, becomes a
+vagabond upon the seas, and, at length, one of the crew of the battle
+ship. The perils of the deep and of vicious companions are enough to make
+that widow a daily and most earnest suppliant at the mercy-seat of her
+heavenly Father, for his protection and salvation. But, at length, war
+breaks out, and the perils of battle render his fate more doubtful. Still,
+faith in God buoys up her heart, and she cannot abandon the hope of yet
+seeing her son returned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> reformed, and becoming a useful man. And at
+length, rescued from the storm and shipwreck, and the carnage of battle,
+and the yet more dangerous snares of sin, that youth returns, a renovated
+man, and cheers that mother&#8217;s setting sun by an eminently useful life.
+Now, all this may have happened simply by the operation of natural laws.
+But it may also have been the result of divine interference in answer to
+prayer; and hard will you find it to convince that rejoicing mother that
+the hand of God&#8217;s extraordinary providence was not in it.</p>
+
+<p>The devoted missionary, at the promptings of a voice within, quits a land
+of safety and peace, and finds himself in the midst of dangers and
+sufferings of almost every name; <i>in perils of waters, in perils of
+robbers, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness,
+in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
+nakedness</i>. The furnace of persecution is heated, and he performs his
+duties with his life constantly in his hand. But he uses no weapon save
+faith and prayer. He feels that &#8220;he is immortal till his work is done.&#8221;
+And, in fact, he outlives all his dangers, and, in venerable old age,
+surrounded by the fruits of his labor,&mdash;a reformed and affectionate
+people,&mdash;he passes quietly into the abodes of the blessed. Here, again,
+why should we hesitate to refer his protection and deliverance to the
+special interposition of his heavenly Father, in the manner I have pointed
+out?</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, the history of dreadfully wicked men is full of
+terrible examples of calamity and suffering, as the consequence of their
+sins. True, the evil came upon them apparently by the operation of natural
+laws; but shall we hence infer that God in no case has so modified these
+laws, by an agency among the hidden causes of events, as to make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> the
+result certain? He certainly could do this; and to say that he never has
+done it, is to remove one of the most powerful restraints that operate
+upon the wicked.</p>
+
+<p>In several examples recorded in the Bible, both of deliverance for the
+virtuous and of punishment for the wicked, so many natural agencies are
+concerned, that we are left in doubt whether the events are to be regarded
+as miraculous or not. Let the deluge, the destruction of Sodom, and the
+passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, serve as examples. In the
+first, we find the flood imputed to a forty days&#8217; rain and the overflowing
+of the ocean; and its reduction to a wind. In the destruction of the
+cities of the plain, the phenomena described correspond very well with the
+effects of volcanic agency; and we find accordingly that the region where
+those cities stood shows marks of that agency. In the passage of the Red
+Sea, the removal of the waters, to allow the Israelites to pass, is
+imputed to a strong east wind all night. Nevertheless, the pillar of a
+cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were a manifest and standing
+miracle in this transaction.</p>
+
+<p>Now, may it not be that, in all these cases, so far as natural agencies
+were concerned, they were made to conspire with the miraculous in the
+manner which I have described, viz., by such a modification of some of the
+remote causes by which they were brought into action, as exactly to answer
+the divine purpose in the catastrophe of the deluge, of Sodom, and in the
+passage of the Red Sea?</p>
+
+<p><i>A third mode by which the purposes of special providence can be brought
+about without miracles is by such an adjustment of the direct and lateral
+influences on which events depend, that the time and manner of their
+occurrence shall exactly meet every exigency.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>Although it expresses a truth to represent the second causes of events as
+constituting the links of a chain, it is not the whole truth. For, in
+fact, those causes are connected together in the form of a network, or,
+more exactly still, by a sphere filled with interlocked meshes; or, to
+speak more mathematically, the forces by which events are produced are
+both direct and indirect. It would be easy to calculate the effect of a
+single direct force; but if, in its progress, it meets with a multitude of
+oblique impulses, striking it at every possible angle, what human
+mathematics can make out the final resultant? Yet, in fact, such is the
+history of almost every event. The lateral influences, which meet and
+modify the direct force, are so numerous, and unexpected often, that men
+are amazed at the result, sometimes as unexpected as a miracle. &#8220;When an
+individual,&#8221; says Isaac Taylor, &#8220;receives an answer to his prayer, the
+interposition may be made, not in the line which he himself is describing,
+but in one of those which are to meet him on his path; and at a point,
+therefore, where, even though the visible constancy of nature should be
+violated, yet, as being at the time beyond the sphere of his observation,
+it is a violation not visible to him.&#8221; &#8220;And herein is especially
+manifested the perfection of divine wisdom, that the most surprising
+conjunctions of events are brought about by the simplest means, and in a
+manner that is perfectly in harmony with the ordinary course of human
+affairs. This is, in fact, the great miracle of providence, that no
+miracles are needed to accomplish its purposes.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Nat. History of
+Enthusiasm</i>, p. 128.</p>
+
+<p>This complication of causes does not merely give variety to the works and
+operations of nature, but it enables God to produce effects which could
+never have resulted from each law acting singly; nor is there a scarcely
+conceivable limit to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> these modifications. Indeed, in this way can
+Providence accomplish all his beneficent purposes, and meet every
+individual case, just as infinite wisdom would have it met. &#8220;By this
+agency,&#8221; says M&#8217;Cosh, &#8220;God can at one time increase, and at another time
+lessen, or completely nullify, the spontaneous efforts of the fixed
+properties of matter. Now he can make the most powerful agents in
+nature&mdash;such as wind, fire, and disease&mdash;coincide and cooperate to produce
+effects of such a tremendous magnitude as none of them separately could
+accomplish; and again, he can arrest their influence by counteracting
+agencies, or, rather, by making them counteract each other. He can, for
+instance, by a concurrence of natural laws, bring a person, who is in the
+enjoyment of health at present, to the very borders of death, an hour or
+an instant hence; and he can, by a like means, suddenly restore the same
+or another individual to health, after he has been on the very verge of
+the grave. By the confluence of two or more streams, he can bring agencies
+of tremendous potency to bear upon the production of a given effect, such
+as a war, a pestilence, or a revolution; and, on the other hand, by
+drawing aside the stream into another channel, he can arrest, at any given
+instant, the awful effects that would otherwise follow from these
+agencies, and save an individual, a family, or a nation, from the evils
+which seem ready to burst upon them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Guided by these principles and guarded by sound sense, the inquiring mind
+will discover many and wonderful designed connections between the various
+events of divine providence. Read in the spirit of faith, striking
+coincidences will every where manifest themselves. What singular unions of
+two streams at the proper place to help on the exertions of the great and
+good! What curious intersections of cords to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> catch the wicked as in a
+net, when they are prowling as wild beasts! By strange but most apposite
+correspondences, human strength, when set against the will of God, is made
+to waste away under God&#8217;s indignation burning against it, as, in heathen
+story, Meleager wasted away as the stick burned which his mother held in
+the fire.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Method of the Divine Government</i>, pp. 176, 203.</p>
+
+<p>In many cases, the lateral streams of influence that flow in and bring
+unexpected relief to the pious man, and unexpected punishment to the
+wicked, or a marked answer to prayer, seem to the individuals little short
+of miraculous. Yet, after all, they can see no violation of the natural
+order of cause and effect. But the wonder is, how the modifying influence
+should come in just at the right moment. It may, indeed, have received a
+commission to do this very thing from the immediate impulse of Jehovah;
+yet, being unperceived by us, it is no miracle. Or the whole plan may have
+been so arranged at the beginning that its development will meet every
+case of special providence exactly. Which of these views may be most
+accordant with truth, may admit of discussion. Yet we think that all the
+modes that have been pointed out, by which miraculous and special
+providences are brought about, may be referred to one general proposition,
+which we now proceed to state.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fourth place, the plan of the universe in the divine mind, at the
+beginning, must have embraced every case of miracles and of special
+providence.</i></p>
+
+<p>From the nature of the divine attributes we infer with certainty that
+every event occurring in the universe must have entered into the original
+plan of creation in the mind of God. Surely no one will deny that he must
+have foreseen the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> operation of every law which he established, and,
+consequently, every event which it would produce. But there must be some
+ground for foreknowledge to rest upon; otherwise it is conjecture, not
+knowledge. And what could that basis be but the divine plan?</p>
+
+<p>Equally clear is it that, whatever plans existed in the mind of God, when
+he brought the universe into existence, must always have been there. For
+to suppose that there was a point of duration when the plan was first
+conceived, would imply new knowledge in one confessedly omniscient; and
+that destroys the idea of omniscience.</p>
+
+<p>Similar reasoning from the nature of the divine attributes leads us to the
+conclusion that God always acts according to law. That he does this in the
+ordinary operations of nature, all admit. But even when he introduces a
+miracle,&mdash;perhaps by a counteraction of ordinary laws,&mdash;he may still act
+by some rule; so that, were precisely the same circumstances to occur
+again, the same miracle would be repeated. Beforehand, we could not say
+whether God would conduct the affairs of the universe by one unvarying
+system of natural laws, or occasionally interfere with the regular
+sequence of cause and effect by miracle. But though the latter course
+should be adopted, as we have reason to think it is, even the special
+interference must be according to law; so that, in fact, there is a law of
+miracles as well as of common events. Again, if God sometimes alters one
+or more of the links out of sight, in a chain of second causes, in order
+to meet a providential exigency, or if he modifies for the same purpose
+some of the oblique influences by which events are affected, all this must
+be done by rule; that is, by law. Indeed, to suppose him ever to act
+without law, is to represent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> him as less wise than men, who, if
+judicious, are always governed by settled principles, which produce the
+same conduct in the same circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>From this reasoning we may safely infer two things: first, that the laws
+regulating miracles and special providences are as fixed and certain as
+those of ordinary events; and secondly, that those laws must have formed a
+part of the plan of creation originally existing in the divine mind. And
+hence, thirdly, we must admit that every case of miracle and special
+providence must have entered into that plan.</p>
+
+<p>When he formed it, he foresaw every possible event that would result from
+its operation to the end of the world. He saw distinctly the condition of
+every individual of the human family, from the beginning to the close of
+life; all his dangers and trials, his sufferings and his sins; and he knew
+just when and where every prayer would be offered up. Nor can it be any
+more doubtful that, with infinite wisdom to guide him, and infinite power
+to execute his will, God could so have arranged and constituted the laws
+of nature, as to meet exactly every case that should ever occur, just in
+the way he would wish to have it met. Those laws might have been so framed
+and disposed that, after running on in one unvarying course for ages, a
+new one might come in, or the old ones be modified, and at once produce
+effects quite different, and then the first laws resume again their usual
+course. And the new or modified law might be made to produce its
+extraordinary or peculiar effects just at the moment when some miracle or
+special providence would be needed. Thus what would be to us a special or
+miraculous interposition of divine power, might be the foreseen and
+foreordained result of God&#8217;s original purpose. And if we can conceive how
+such an effect could be produced once, we cannot doubt that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> infinite
+wisdom and power could in like manner meet every possible case in which
+what we call special and miraculous providence would be needed. With our
+limited powers, we are obliged, after constructing a complicated machine,
+to put it into operation before we can judge certainly of its effects; and
+then, if our wishes are not met, we must alter the parts, or in some other
+way meet the new cases that occur; and hence we find it difficult to
+conceive how it can be otherwise with God. But he saw the operation of the
+vast machine of the universe just as clearly at the beginning as at any
+subsequent period. He, therefore, can do at the beginning what we can do
+only after experience, viz., adapt the parts to every variety of
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>If I mistake not, we are indebted to Bishop Butler for the germ of these
+views; but Professor Babbage has illustrated them by reference to an
+extraordinary machine of his own invention, called &#8220;The Calculating
+Engine.&#8221; It is adapted to perform the most extensive and complicated
+numerical calculations, of course with absolute certainty, because its
+parts are arranged by certain laws. And he finds that precisely such
+effects, on a small scale, can be produced by this machine, as have been
+imputed above to the divine agency in creation. It is moved by a weight
+and a wheel which turns at a short interval around its axis, and prints a
+series of natural numbers,&mdash;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &amp;c.,&mdash;each exceeding its
+antecedent by unity. &#8220;Now, reader, let me ask you,&#8221; says Professor
+Babbage, &#8220;how long you will have counted before you are firmly convinced
+that the engine, supposing its adjustments to remain unaltered, will
+continue, whilst its motion is maintained, to produce the same series of
+natural numbers. Some minds, perhaps, are so constituted that, after
+passing the first hundred terms, they will be satisfied that they are
+acquainted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> with the law. After seeing five hundred terms, few will doubt;
+and after the fifty thousandth term, the propensity to believe the
+succeeding term will be fifty thousand and one, will be almost
+irresistible. That term will be fifty thousand and one; the same regular
+succession will continue; the five millionth and the fifty millionth term
+will appear in their expected order, and one unbroken chain of numbers
+will pass before you, from one up to one hundred millions. True to the
+vast induction which has thus been made, the next succeeding term will be
+one hundred millions and one; but after that, the next number presented by
+the rim of the wheel, instead of being one hundred millions and two, is
+one hundred millions ten thousand and two.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The law which seemed to govern this series fails at the one hundred
+million and second term. That term is larger than we expected by ten
+thousand. The next term is larger than was anticipated by thirty thousand.
+If we still continue to observe the numbers presented by the wheel, we
+shall find that for a hundred, or even for a thousand terms, they continue
+to follow the new law relating to the triangular numbers; but after
+watching them for twenty-seven hundred and sixty-one terms, we find that
+this law fails in the case of the twenty-seven hundred and sixty-second
+term. If we continue to observe, another law then comes into action. This
+will continue through fourteen hundred and thirty terms, when a new law is
+again introduced, which extends over about nine hundred and fifty terms;
+and this, too, like all its predecessors, fails, and gives place to other
+laws, which appear at different intervals. It is also possible so to
+arrange the engine, that at any periods, however remote, the first law
+shall be interrupted for one or more times, and be superseded by any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span>
+other laws, after which the original law shall be again produced, and no
+other deviation shall ever take place.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, it must be remarked that the law that each number presented by the
+engine is greater by unity than the preceding number, which law the
+observer had deduced from an induction of a hundred million of instances,
+was not the true law that regulated its action; and that the occurrence of
+the number one hundred million ten thousand and two at the one hundred
+million and second term was as necessary a consequence of the original
+adjustment as was the regular succession of any one of the intermediate
+numbers to its immediate antecedent. The same remark applies to the next
+apparent deviation from the new law, which was founded on an induction of
+two thousand seven hundred and sixty-one terms; and to all the succeeding
+laws, with this limitation only, that whilst their consecutive
+introduction at various definite intervals is a necessary consequence of
+the mechanical structure of the engine, our knowledge of analysis does not
+yet enable us to predict the periods at which the more distant laws will
+be introduced.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Ninth Bridgewater Treatise.</i></p>
+
+<p>The application of these statements to the doctrine of special as well as
+of miraculous providence is very obvious. If human ingenuity can construct
+a machine which shall exhibit the introduction of new laws, after the old
+ones had been established by an induction of a hundred million of
+examples, and these new ones be succeeded by others, how much easier for
+the infinite God to construct the vast and more complicated machine of the
+universe, so that new laws, or modifications of the old ones, shall be
+introduced at various periods of its history, to meet every exigency! How
+easy for him so to adjust this machine at the beginning, that the new laws
+and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> new modes of action should be introduced, precisely at those points
+where a special providence would be desirable, to reward the virtuous and
+to punish the wicked, and then the old law again assume its dominion! And
+how easily, in this way, could the case of every individual be met, from
+the beginning to the end of the world! I mean, how easy would this work be
+to infinite wisdom and power!</p>
+
+<p>But if all events, miraculous as well as common, may depend upon unbending
+law, how does such a view differ from the one I am now opposing, viz.,
+that the constancy of nature&#8217;s laws precludes the idea of any special
+interference on the part of God, in human affairs? The main point of
+difference, I reply, is, that the advocates of the latter view will not
+admit any such thing at the present day as special interference, on the
+part of the Deity, with nature. They admit only uniform and ordinary laws,
+which they suppose are never interrupted. This I deny; and endeavor to
+show, not only that the contrary may be a fact, but that God purposed it
+originally, and determined the laws by which it might be accomplished. The
+fact that he did this beforehand, even from eternity, no more precludes
+his agency, than the special interference of a father to help his child
+through a dangerous pass is disproved, because he foresaw the danger and
+provided the means of defence even before the child was born. If the
+father was actually with the child, as he went through the danger, and
+held out to him the requisite help, what difference could it make, though
+the father purposed to do so a long time previously? And if we admit that
+God&#8217;s efficiency alone gives power to the ordinary laws of nature, we
+shall admit that in every special law he is as really present with his
+energy, as a father who should lead his child by the hand through the
+dangerous path. So that, practically at least, the difference between
+these two views of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> the subject is very great; the one removing God far
+away, and putting law in his place; and the other bringing him near, and
+making him the actual and constant agent in every event. The one view is
+practical atheism, although often adopted by religious men; the other is
+practical Christianity.</p>
+
+<p>By the principles of physical science, then, the scriptural doctrines of
+miraculous and special providence are proved to be in accordance with
+philosophy. The miracles of revelation are shown to have been preceded by
+the miracles of geology; and are, therefore, in conformity with the
+principles of the divine government. The modifications which God can make
+in the causes of events out of human view, or the changes which he can
+produce by lateral influences upon the final result,&mdash;all, it may be, in
+conformity to an eternal plan, reaching the minutest of human
+affairs,&mdash;enable him to execute every purpose of special providence so as
+to satisfy every exigency.</p>
+
+<p>The sceptic may say, that we cannot prove by facts that God does so modify
+and arrange the laws and operations of nature as to adapt his dealings to
+the case of individuals. But, on the other hand, neither can he show that
+God does not thus interfere with nature&#8217;s uniformity. It is enough to show
+that he can do it without a miracle, in order to establish the doctrine of
+special providence. How often he exercises this power, we cannot know; but
+we may be sure as often as is desirable.</p>
+
+<p>A most important application of these principles may be made to the
+subject of prayer. For in answering prayer, God is, in fact, merely
+executing some of the purposes of his special providence; and it is
+gratifying to the pious heart to see how he can give an answer to the
+humblest petitioner. No matter though all the laws of nature seem in the
+way of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> answer,&mdash;God can so modify their action as to conform them to
+the case of every petitioner. War, famine, and pestilence may all be upon
+us, yet humble prayer may turn them all aside, and every other physical
+evil; and that without a miracle, if best for us and for the universe.
+Tell a man that the only effect of prayer is its reflex influence upon
+himself, in leading him to conform more strictly to nature&#8217;s laws, and you
+send a paralysis and a death chill into all his moral sensibilities.
+Indeed, he cannot pray; but tell him that God will be influenced, as is
+any earthly friend, by his supplications, and his heart beats full and
+strong, the current of life goes bounding through his whole system, the
+glow of health mantles his cheek, and all his senses are roused into
+intense and delightful action.</p>
+
+<p>The sad influence of a perversion and misunderstanding of the doctrine of
+nature&#8217;s constancy upon the youthful mind is well exhibited by a late able
+writer. &#8220;Early trained to it under the domestic roof,&#8221; says M&#8217;Cosh, &#8220;the
+person regularly engaged in prayer during childhood and opening manhood.
+But as he became introduced to general society, and began to feel his
+independence of the guardians of his youth, he was tempted to look upon
+the father&#8217;s commands, in this respect, as proceeding from sourness and
+sternness, and the mother&#8217;s advice as originating in an amiable weakness
+and timidity. He is now careless in the performance of acts which in time
+past had been punctually attended to. How short, how hurried, how cold are
+the prayers which he now utters! Then there come to be mornings on which
+he is snatched away to some very important or enticing work without
+engaging in his customary devotions. There are evenings, too, following
+days of mad excitement or sinful pleasure, in which he feels utterly
+indisposed to go into the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> God, and to be left alone with him.
+He feels that there is an utter incongruity between the ball-room, or the
+theatre, which he has just left, and the throne of grace, to which he
+should now go. What can he say to God, when he would pray to him? Confess
+his sins? No; he does not at present feel the act to be sinful. Thank God
+for giving him access to such follies? He has his doubts whether God
+approves of all that has been done. But he may ask God&#8217;s blessing? No; he
+is scarcely disposed to acknowledge that he needs a blessing, or he doubts
+whether the blessing would be given. The practical conclusion to which he
+comes is, that it may be as consistent in him to betake himself to sleep
+without offering to God what he feels would only be a mockery. What is he
+to do the following morning? It is a critical time. Confess his error? No;
+cherishing as he does the recollection of the gay scene in which he
+mingled, and with the taste and relish of it yet upon his palate, he is
+not prepared to acknowledge his folly. Morning and evening now go and
+return, and bring new gifts from God, and new manifestations of his
+goodness; but no acknowledgment of the divine bounty on the part of him
+who is yet ever receiving it. No doubt there are times when he is prompted
+to prayer by powerful feelings, called up by outward trials or inward
+convictions; but ever when the storms of human life would drive him to the
+shore, there is a tide beating him back. His course continues to be a very
+vacillating one&mdash;now seeming to approach to God, and anon driven farther
+from him, till he obtains from books, or from lectures, a smattering of
+half-understood science. He now learns that all things are governed by
+laws, regular and fixed, over which the breath of prayer can exert as
+little influence, as they move on in their allotted course, as the passing
+breeze of the earth over the sun in his circuit. False philosophy has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> now
+come to the aid of guilty feelings, and hardens their cold waters into an
+icicle lying at his very heart, cooling all his ardor, and damping all his
+enthusiasm. He looks back, at times, no doubt, to the simple faith of his
+childhood with a sigh; but it is as to a pleasing dream, or illusion, from
+which he has been awakened, and into which, the spell being broken, he can
+never again fall.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Method of the Divine Government</i>, p. 224.</p>
+
+<p>O, what a change would this world exhibit, were the whole Christian church
+to exercise full faith in God&#8217;s ability to answer prayer without a
+miracle, only to the extent pointed out by philosophy, to say nothing of
+the Bible; for, in fact, a large proportion of that church, confounded by
+the specious argument derived from nature&#8217;s constancy, have virtually
+yielded this most important principle to the demands of scepticism. When
+natural evils, such as war, famine, drought, and pestilence, came upon our
+forefathers, they, taking the Bible for their guide, observed days of
+fasting and prayer for their removal. But how seldom do their descendants
+follow their example! And yet even physical science testifies that the
+fathers acted in conformity to the true principles of philosophy. Would
+that the Christian church would consent to be led back to the Bible
+doctrine on this subject by philosophy.</p>
+
+<p>That same philosophy, also, should lead the good man, when struggling
+through difficulties, to exercise unshaken confidence in the divine
+protection, even though all nature&#8217;s laws seem arrayed against him; for at
+the unseen touch of God&#8217;s efficiency, the iron bars of law shall melt away
+like wax, and deliverance be given in the midst of appalling dangers, if
+best for the man and for the universe; and if not best, he will not desire
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Science, too, bids the wicked man not to fancy that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> constancy of
+nature will shield him from the infliction of merited and special
+punishment, should God choose to make bare the rod of his justice; for the
+blow may come as certainly in the course of nature as against it.</p>
+
+<p>Let modern Christian theology, then, receive meekly the rebuke
+administered on this important point by physical science. For how lame and
+halting a defence of the Scripture doctrine of special providence and
+prayer has that theology been able to make! How few of our systems of
+theology contain a manful vindication of truths so important! Let not the
+Christian divine, therefore, refuse the aid thus offered by physical
+science. Let him no longer indulge groundless jealousies against true
+philosophy, as if adverse to religion. Especially let him not spurn the
+aid of geology, which alone, of all the sciences, discloses stupendous
+miracles of creation in early times, and thus removes all presumption
+against the miracles of Christianity and special providence at any time.</p>
+
+<p>It is, indeed, an instructive fact, that a science which has been thought
+so full of danger to Christianity should thus early be found vindicating
+some of the most peculiar and long-contested doctrines of revelation. And
+yet it ought not to surprise us, for geology is as really the work of God
+as revelation. And though, when ill understood and perverted, she may have
+seemed recreant to her celestial origin, yet the more fully her
+proportions are developed, and her features brought into daylight, the
+more clearly do we recognize her alliance to every thing pure and noble in
+the universe. &#8220;And surely,&#8221; says a late writer, &#8220;it must be gratifying
+thus to see a science, formerly classed, and not perhaps unjustly, amongst
+the most pernicious to faith, once more become her handmaid; to see her
+now, after so many years of wandering from theory to theory, or rather
+from vision to vision, return once<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> more to the home where she was born,
+and to the altar at which she made her first simple offerings; no longer,
+as she first went forth, a wilful, dreamy, empty-handed child, but with a
+matronly dignity, and a priest-like step, and a bosom full of well-earned
+gifts, to pile upon its sacred hearth. For it was religion which gave
+geology birth, and to the sanctuary she hath once more
+returned.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Wiseman&#8217;s Lectures on Science and Revealed Religion</i>, p. 192,
+Am. ed.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_XI" id="LECTURE_XI"></a>LECTURE XI.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH.</span></p>
+
+<p>Man has a stronger desire to penetrate the future than the past. And yet
+the details of most future events are wisely concealed from him. There are
+two, and only two, sources of evidence from which he can obtain some
+glimpses of what will be hereafter. The one is revelation, the other
+analogy. So far as God has thought proper to reveal the future, our
+information is precise and certain. But it does not embrace a multitude of
+events about which we have strong curiosity. By analogy is meant a
+prediction of the future from the past. On the principle that nature is
+constant, we infer what will be from what has been. If, however, new laws
+are hereafter to come into operation, or if present agencies will then
+operate very differently from what they now do, it is obvious that analogy
+can be only an imperfect guide. Still, in respect to many important
+events, its conclusions are infallible. Judging, for instance, from the
+past, we are absolutely certain that no living thing will escape the great
+law of dissolution, which, thus far, apart from the few exceptions made
+known to us by revelation, has been universal.</p>
+
+<p>The future changes in the condition of the earth, as they are taught us by
+revelation and analogy, or, rather, by geology, will form the subject of
+my present lecture. And my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> first object will be, to ascertain, if
+possible, precisely what the Bible teaches us concerning these changes.</p>
+
+<p>We find in the Scriptures several descriptions, more or less definite, of
+the changes which this globe will hereafter undergo. Some of them,
+however, are couched in the figurative language of prophecy, and others
+are incidental allusions; and concerning the precise meaning of such
+descriptions, there will, of course, be a diversity of opinion.</p>
+
+<p>There are, however, some passages on this subject as literal and as
+precise in their meaning as language can be. Now, it is one of the rules
+for interpreting language, that, where a work contains several accounts of
+the same event, the description which is most simple and literal ought to
+be made the index for obtaining the meaning of those passages which are
+figurative, or, on any account, obscure. I shall, therefore, select the
+passage of Scripture which all acknowledge to be most plain and definite,
+respecting the future destruction of the earth, and the new heavens and
+earth that are to succeed, and first inquire into its precise meaning;
+after which, we shall be better prepared to ascertain what modification of
+that meaning other passages of sacred writ demand.</p>
+
+<p>It needs but a cursory examination of the Bible to convince any one that
+the description in the Second Epistle of Peter of the future destruction
+and renovation of the earth and heavens, is eminently the passage first to
+be examined, because the fullest and clearest on this subject. It is the
+apostle&#8217;s object directly and literally to describe these great changes,
+apart from all embellishments of language.</p>
+
+<p><i>There shall come</i>, says he, <i>in the last days, scoffers, walking after
+their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
+the fathers fell asleep, all things<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> continue as they were from the
+beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that
+by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
+the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being
+overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are
+now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the
+day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not
+ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
+years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning
+his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to
+us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
+repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
+the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and the works that are
+therein, shall be burned up. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be
+dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation
+and godliness? Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
+wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.</i></p>
+
+<p>It would require too much time, and, moreover, is not necessary to the
+object I have in view, to enter into minute verbal criticism upon this
+passage. I will only remark that the phrase translated <i>the earth and the
+works that are therein</i>, might with equal propriety be rendered &#8220;the earth
+and the works that are <i>thereon</i>;&#8221; and yet the difference of meaning
+between the two modes of expression is of no great importance. Again, by
+the term <i>heavens</i>, in this passage, we are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> evidently to understand the
+atmosphere, or region immediately surrounding the earth; as in the first
+chapter of Genesis, where it is said that <i>God called the firmament
+heavens</i>; the plural form being used in the Hebrew, though not in the
+English translation.</p>
+
+<p>What, now, by a fair exegesis, is taught in this passage concerning the
+destruction and renovation of the world? The following train of remark may
+conduct us to the true answer to this inquiry:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, this passage is to be understood literally. It would
+seem as if it could hardly be necessary to present any formal proof of
+this position to any person of common sense, who had read the passage. But
+the fact is, that men of no mean reputation as commentators have
+maintained that the whole of it is only a vivid figurative prophecy of the
+destruction of Jerusalem. Others suppose the new heavens and new earth
+here described to exist before the conflagration of the world. But these
+new heavens and earth are represented as the residence of the righteous,
+after the burning and melting of the earth, which, according to other
+parts of Scripture, is to take place at the end of the world, or at the
+general judgment. How strange that, in order to sustain a favorite theory,
+able men should thus invert the obvious order of these great events, so
+clearly described in the Bible! Still more absurd is it to attempt to
+fasten a figurative character upon this most simple statement of
+inspiration. It is, indeed, true, that the prophets have sometimes set
+forth great political and moral changes, the downfall of empires, or of
+distinguished men, by the destruction of the heavens and the earth, and
+the growing pale and darkening of the sun and moon. But in all these cases
+the figurative character of the description is most obvious; while in the
+passage from Peter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> its literal character is equally obvious. Take, for
+example, this statement&mdash;<i>By the word of God the heavens were of old, and
+the earth, standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and
+the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
+unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.</i></p>
+
+<p>I believe no one has ever doubted that the destruction of the world by
+water, here described, refers to Noah&#8217;s deluge. Now, how absurd to admit
+that this is a literal description of that event, and then to maintain the
+remainder of the sentence, which declares the future destruction of that
+same world by fire, to be figurative in the highest degree! For if this
+destruction mean only the destruction of Jerusalem, or any other great
+political or moral revolution, the language is one of the boldest figures
+which can be framed. Who, that knows any thing of the laws of language,
+does not see the supreme absurdity of thus coupling in the same sentence
+the most simple and certain literality with the strongest of all figures?
+What mark is given us, by which we may know where the boundary is between
+the literal and the metaphorical sense? From what part of the Bible, or
+from what uninspired author, can a parallel example be adduced? What but
+the strongest necessity, the most decided <i>exigentia loci</i>, would justify
+such an anomalous interpretation of any author? Nay, I do not believe any
+necessity could justify it. It would be more reasonable to infer that the
+passage had no meaning, or an absurd one. But surely no such necessity
+exists in the present case. Understood literally, the passage teaches only
+what is often expressed, though less fully, in many other parts of
+Scripture; and even though some of these other passages should be involved
+in a degree of obscurity,&mdash;and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> I am not disposed to deny that some
+obscurity rests upon one or two of them,&mdash;it would be no good reason for
+transforming so plain a description into a highly-wrought figurative
+representation; especially when by no ingenuity can we thus alter more
+than one part of the sentence. I conclude, therefore, that, if any part of
+the Bible is literal, we are thus to consider this chapter of Peter.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, this passage does not teach that the earth will be
+annihilated.</p>
+
+<p>The prevailing opinion in this country, probably, has been, and still is,
+that the destruction of the world described by Peter will amount to
+annihilation&mdash;that the matter of the globe will cease to be. But in all
+ages there have been many who believe that the destruction will be only
+the ruin of the present economy of the world, but not its utter
+extinction. And surely Peter&#8217;s description does not imply annihilation of
+the matter of the globe. He makes fire the agent of the destruction, and,
+in order to ascertain the extent of the ruin that will follow, we have
+only to inquire what effect combustion will have upon matter. The common
+opinion is, that intense combustion actually destroys or annihilates
+matter, because it is thereby dissipated. But the chemist knows that not
+one particle of matter has ever been thus deprived of existence; that fire
+only changes the form of matter, but never annihilates it. When solid
+matter is changed into gas, as in most cases of combustion, it seems to be
+annihilated, because it disappears; but it has only assumed a new form,
+and exists as really as before. Since, therefore, biblical and scientific
+truth must agree, we may be sure that the apostle never meant to teach
+that the matter of the globe would cease to be, through the action of fire
+upon it; nor is there any thing in his language that implies such a
+result, but most obviously the reverse.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>If these things be so, then, in the third place, we may infer that Peter
+did not mean to teach that the matter of the globe would be in the least
+diminished by the final conflagration. I doubt not the sufficiency of
+divine power partially or wholly to annihilate the material universe. But
+heat, however intense, has no tendency to do this; it only gives matter a
+new form. And heat is the only agency which the apostle represents as
+employed. In short, we have no evidence, either from science or
+revelation, that the minutest atom of matter has ever been destroyed since
+the original creation; nor have we any more evidence that any of it ever
+will be reduced to the nothingness from which it sprang. The prevalent
+ideas upon this subject all result from erroneous notions of the effect of
+intense heat.</p>
+
+<p>In the fourth place, the passage under consideration teaches us that
+whatever upon or within the earth is capable of combustion will undergo
+that change, and that the entire globe will be melted.</p>
+
+<p>The language of Peter has always seemed to me extremely interesting. He
+says that <i>the heavens</i> [or atmosphere] <i>will pass away with a great
+noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and
+the works that are therein, shall be burned up; looking for, and hasting
+unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire,
+shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat</i>.</p>
+
+<p>This language approaches nearer to an anticipation of the scientific
+discoveries of modern times than any other part of Scripture. And yet, at
+the time it was written, it would not have enabled any one to understand
+the chemistry of the great changes which it describes. But, now that their
+chemistry is understood, we perceive that the language is adapted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> to it,
+in a manner which no uninspired writer would have done. The atmosphere is
+represented as passing away with a great noise&mdash;an effect which the
+chemist would predict by the union of its oxygen with the hydrogen and
+other gases liberated by the intense heat. Yet what uninspired writer of
+the first century would have imagined such a result?</p>
+
+<p>Again, when we consider the notions which then prevailed, and which are
+still widely diffused, why should the apostle add to the simple statement
+that the earth would be burnt up, the declaration that its elements would
+be melted? For the impression was, that the combustion would entirely
+destroy the matter of the globe. But the chemist finds that the greater
+part of the earth has already been oxidized, or burnt, and on this matter
+the only effect of the heat, unless intense enough to dissipate it, would
+be to melt it. If, therefore, the apostle had said only that the world
+would be burnt up, the sceptical chemist would have inferred that he had
+made a mistake through ignorance of chemistry. But he cannot now draw such
+an inference; for the apostle&#8217;s language clearly implies that only the
+combustible matter of the globe will be burnt, while the elements, or
+first principles of things, will be melted; so that the final result will
+be an entire liquid, fiery globe. Such a wonderful adaptation of his
+description to modern science could not surely have resulted from human
+sagacity, but must be the fruit of divine inspiration.</p>
+
+<p>And this adaptation is the more wonderful when we find it running through
+the whole Bible wherever the sacred writers come in contact with
+scientific subjects. In this respect, the Bible differs from every other
+system of religion professedly from heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever other systems have treated of the works of nature, they have
+sanctioned some error, and thus put into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> the hands of modern science the
+means of detecting the imposture. The Vedas of India adopt the absurd
+notions of an ignorant and polytheistic age respecting astronomy, and the
+Koran adopts as infallible truth the absurdities of the Ptolemaic system.
+But hitherto the Bible has never been proved to come into collision with
+any scientific discovery, although many of its books were written in the
+rudest and most ignorant ages. It does not, indeed, anticipate scientific
+discovery. But the remarkable adaptation of its language to such
+discoveries, when they are made, seems to me a more striking mark of its
+divine origin than if it had contained a revelation of the whole system of
+modern science.</p>
+
+<p>In the fifth place, the passage under consideration teaches that this
+earth will be renovated by the final conflagration, and become the abode
+of the righteous. After describing the day of God, <i>wherein the heavens,
+being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
+fervent heat</i>, Peter adds, <i>Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look
+for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.</i> Now, the
+apostle does not here, in so many words, declare that the new heavens and
+earth will be the present world and its atmosphere, purified and renovated
+by fire. But it is certainly a natural inference that such was his
+meaning. For if he intended some other remote and quite different place,
+why should he call it <i>earth</i>, and, especially, why should he surround it
+with an atmosphere? The natural and most obvious meaning of the passage
+surely is, that the future residence of the righteous will be this present
+terraqueous globe, after its entire organic and combustible matter shall
+have been destroyed, and its whole mass reduced by heat to a liquid state,
+and then a new economy reared up on its surface, not adapted to sinful,
+but to sinless beings, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> therefore, quite different from its present
+condition&mdash;probably more perfect, but still the same earth and surrounding
+heavens.</p>
+
+<p>There are, indeed, some difficulties in the way of such a meaning to this
+passage, and objections to a material heaven; and these I shall notice in
+the proper place. But I have given what seems to me the natural and
+obvious meaning of the passage.</p>
+
+<p>Such, as I conceive, are the fair inferences from the apostle&#8217;s
+description of the end of the world. Let us now inquire whether any other
+passages of Scripture require us to modify this meaning.</p>
+
+<p>The idea of a future destruction of the world by fire is recognized in
+various places, both in the Old and New Testaments. Christ speaks more
+than once of heaven and earth as passing away. Paul speaks of Christ as
+descending, at the end of the world, in flaming fire. And the Psalmist
+describes the destruction of the heavens and the earth as a renovation.
+<i>They shall perish,</i> says he, <i>but thou</i> [God] <i>shalt endure; yea, all of
+them shall wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change
+them, and they shall be changed.</i> In Revelation, after the apostle had
+given a vivid description of the final judgment and its retributions, he
+says, <i>And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and
+the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.</i> He then
+proceeds to give a minute and glowing description of what he calls the New
+Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of heaven. It is scarcely possible to
+understand the whole of this description as literally true. We must rather
+regard it as a figurative representation of the heavenly state. And hence
+the first verse, which speaks of the new heavens and the new earth, in
+almost the same language which Peter uses, may be also figurative,
+indicating merely a more exalted condition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> than the present world. Hence,
+I would not use this passage to sustain the interpretation given of the
+literal description by Peter. And yet it is by no means improbable that
+the figurative language of John may have for its basis the same truths
+which are taught by Peter. Nor ought we to infer, because a figure is
+built upon that basis in the apocalyptic vision, that the simple
+statements of Peter are metaphorical.</p>
+
+<p>In the passage quoted from Peter, it is said, <i>Nevertheless, we, according
+to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness.</i> Most writers have supposed the apostle to refer either to
+the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should inherit the land, or to
+a prophecy in Isaiah, which says, <i>Behold, I create new heavens, and a new
+earth, and the former shall not be remembered, or come into mind. But be
+you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create
+Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in
+Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more
+heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an
+infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the
+child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner, being a hundred years
+old, shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and
+they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not
+build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as
+the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long
+enjoy the works of their hands. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
+and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the
+serpent&#8217;s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,
+saith the Lord.</i></p>
+
+<p>Now, it seems highly probable that the new heavens and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> earth, here
+described, represent a state of things on the present earth before the day
+of judgment, and not a heavenly and immortal state; for sin and death are
+spoken of as existing in it; both which, we are assured, will be excluded
+from heaven. Hence able biblical writers refer this prophecy to the
+millennial state, or the period when there will be a general prevalence of
+Christianity. In this they are probably correct. But some of these
+writers, as Low and Whitby, proceed a step farther, and infer that Peter&#8217;s
+description of the new heavens and new earth belong also to the millennial
+period; first, because they presume that the apostle referred to this
+promise in Isaiah; and secondly, because he uses the same terms, namely,
+&#8220;new heavens and new earth.&#8221; But are these grounds sufficient to justify
+so important a conclusion? How common it is to find the same words and
+phrases in the Bible applied by different writers to different subjects,
+especially by the prophets! Even if we can suppose Peter to place the new
+heavens and the new earth before the judgment, in despite of his plain
+declaration to the contrary, yet there are few who will doubt that the new
+heavens and earth described in revelation are subsequent to the judgment
+day, so vividly described in the verses immediately preceding.</p>
+
+<p>And as to the promise referred to by Peter, if he really describes the
+heavenly state, surely it may be found in a multitude of places; wherever,
+indeed, immortal life and blessedness are offered to faith and obedience.
+Isaiah, therefore, may be giving a figurative description of a glorious
+state of the church in this world, under the terms &#8220;new heavens and new
+earth,&#8221; emblematical of those real new heavens and new earth beyond the
+grave, described by Peter. And hence, it seems to me, the language of the
+prophet should not be allowed to set aside, or modify, the plain meaning
+of the apostle.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>I shall quote only one other passage of the Bible on this subject. I refer
+to that difficult text in Romans, which represents the whole creation as
+groaning and travailing together in pain until now; and that it will be
+delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
+children of God.</p>
+
+<p>I have stated in a former lecture, that Tholuck, the distinguished German
+theologian, considers this a description of the present bound and fettered
+condition of all nature, and that the deliverance refers to the future
+renovation of the earth. Such an exposition chimes in perfectly with the
+views on this subject which have long and extensively prevailed in
+Germany. And it certainly does give a consistent meaning to a passage
+which has been to commentators a perfect labyrinth of difficulties. If
+this be not its meaning, then I may safely say that its meaning has not
+yet been found out.</p>
+
+<p>In view, then, of all the important passages of Scripture concerning the
+future destruction and renovation of the earth, I think we may fairly
+conclude that none of them require us to modify the natural and obvious
+meaning of Peter which has been given. In general, they all coincide with
+the views presented by that apostle; or if, in any case, there is a slight
+apparent difference, the figurative character of all other statements
+besides his require us to receive his views as the true standard, and to
+modify the meaning of the others. We may, therefore, conclude that the
+Bible does plainly and distinctly teach us that this earth will hereafter
+be burned up; in other words, that all upon or within it, capable of
+combustion, will be consumed, and the entire mass, the elements, without
+the loss of one particle of the matter now existing, will be melted; and
+then, that the world, thus purified from the contamination of sin, and
+surrounded by a new atmosphere, or heavens,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> and adapted in all respects
+to the nature and wants of spiritual and sinless beings, will become the
+residence of the righteous. Of the precise nature of that new
+dispensation, and of the mode of existence there, the Scriptures are
+indeed silent. But that, like the present world, it will be
+material,&mdash;that there will be a solid globe, and a transparent expanse
+around it,&mdash;seems most clearly indicated in the sacred record.</p>
+
+<p>The wide-spread opinion that heaven will be a sort of airy Elysium, where
+the present laws of nature will be unknown, and where matter, if it exist,
+can exist only in its most attenuated form, is a notion to which the Bible
+is a stranger.</p>
+
+<p>The resurrection of the body, as well as the language of Peter, most
+clearly show us that the future world will be a solid, material world,
+purified indeed, and beautified, but retaining its materialism.</p>
+
+<p>Let us now see whether, in coming to these conclusions from Scripture
+language, we are influenced by scientific considerations, or whether many
+discerning minds have not, in all ages, attached a similar meaning to the
+inspired record.</p>
+
+<p>Among all nations, the history of whose opinions have come down to us, and
+especially among the Greeks, the belief has prevailed that a catastrophe
+by fire awaited the earth, corresponding to, or rather the counterpart of,
+a previous destruction by water. These catastrophes they denominated the
+<i>cataclysm</i>, or destruction by water, and the <i>ecpyrosis</i>, or destruction
+by fire. The ruin was supposed to be followed, in each case, by the
+regeneration of the earth in an improved form, which gradually
+deteriorated; the first age after the catastrophe, constituting the golden
+age; the next, the silver age; and so on to the iron age, which preceded
+another cataclysm, or ecpyrosis. The intervals between these convulsions
+were regarded as of various lengths, but all of them of great duration.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>These opinions the Greeks derived from the Egyptians.</p>
+
+<p>The belief in the future conflagration of the world also prevailed among
+the ancient Jews. Philo says that &#8220;the earth, after this purification,
+shall appear new again, even as it was after its first creation.&#8221;&mdash;<i>De
+Vita Mosis</i>, tom. ii.&mdash;Among the Jews, these ideas may have been, in part,
+derived from the Old Testament; though its language, as we have seen, is
+far less explicit on this subject than the New Testament. That
+distinguished Christian writers, in all ages since the advent of Christ,
+have understood the language of Peter as we have explained it, would be
+easy to show. I have room, however, to quote only the opinions of a few
+distinguished modern writers.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Knapp, one of the most scientific and judicious of theologians, thus
+remarks upon the passage of Peter already examined: &#8220;It cannot be thought
+that what is here said respecting the burning of the world is to be
+understood figuratively, as Wettstein supposes; because the fire is here
+too directly opposed to the literal water of the flood to be so
+understood. It is the object of Peter to refute the boast of scoffers,
+that all things had remained unchanged from the beginning, and that,
+therefore, no day of judgment and no end of the world could be expected.
+And so he says that originally, at the time of the creation, the whole
+earth was covered and overflowed with water, (Gen. i.,) and that from
+hence the dry land appeared; and the same was true at the time of Noah&#8217;s
+flood. But there is yet to come a great fire revolution. The heavens and
+the earth (the earth with its atmosphere) are reserved, or kept in store,
+for the fire, until the day of judgment, (v. 10.) At that time the heavens
+will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved by
+fervent heat, and every thing upon the earth will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> be burnt up. The same
+thing is taught in verse 12. But in verse 13 Peter gives the design of
+this revolution. It will not be annihilation, but we expect a new heavens
+and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, <i>i. e.</i>, an entirely new,
+altered, and beautiful abode for man, to be built from the ruins of his
+former dwelling-place, as the future habitation of the pious, (Rev. xxi.
+1.) This will be very much in the same way as a more perfect and an
+immortal body will be reared from the body which we now
+possess.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Theology</i>, vol. ii. p. 649.</p>
+
+<p>From Dr. Chalmers my extracts will be longer than are necessary to show
+his opinion upon this subject, because he felicitously refutes certain
+erroneous ideas, widely prevalent, respecting matter, and spirit. &#8220;We know
+historically,&#8221; says he, &#8220;that earth, that a solid, material earth, may
+form the dwelling of sinless creatures, in full converse and friendship
+with the Being who made them.&#8221; &#8220;Man, at the first, had for his place this
+world, and, at the same time, for his privilege an unclouded fellowship
+with God, and for his prospect an immortality, which death was neither to
+intercept nor put an end to. He was terrestrial in respect to condition,
+and yet celestial, both in respect of character and enjoyments.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The common imagination that we have of paradise on the other side of
+death, is that of a lofty aerial region, where the inmates float in ether,
+or are mysteriously suspended upon nothing; where all the warm and
+sensible accompaniments, which give such an expression of strength, and
+life, and coloring to our present habitation, are attenuated into a sort
+of spiritual element, that is meagre and imperceptible, and utterly
+uninviting to the eye of mortals here below; where every vestige of
+materialism is done away, and nothing left but certain unearthly scenes,
+that have no power of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> allurement, and certain unearthly ecstasies with
+which it is felt impossible to sympathize. The holders of this imagination
+forget all the while that there is no necessary connection between
+materialism and sin; that the world which we now inhabit had all the
+solidity and amplitude of its present materialism before sin entered into
+it; that God, so far, on that account, from looking slightly upon it,
+after it had received the last touch of his creating hand, reviewed the
+earth, and the waters, and the firmament, and all the green herbage, with
+the living creatures, and the man whom he had raised in dominion over
+them, and <i>he saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was all
+very good</i>. They forget that, on the birth of materialism, when it stood
+out in the freshness of those glories which the great Architect of nature
+had impressed upon it, that <i>the morning stars sang together, and all the
+sons of God shouted for joy</i>. They forget the appeals that are every where
+made in the Bible to his material workmanship, and how, from the face of
+these visible heavens, and the garniture of this earth which we tread
+upon, the greatness and goodness of God are reflected on the view of his
+worshippers. No, my brethren, the object of the administration we sit
+under is to extirpate sin, but it is not to sweep away materialism. By the
+convulsions of the last day it may be shaken and broken down from its
+present arrangement, and thrown into such fitful agitations as that the
+whole of its existing framework shall fall to pieces; and with a heat so
+fervent as to melt the most solid elements, may it be utterly dissolved.
+And thus may the earth again become without form and void, but without one
+particle of its substance going into annihilation. Out of the ruins of
+this second chaos may another heaven and another earth be made to arise,
+and a new materialism, with other aspects of magnificence and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> beauty,
+emerge from the wreck of this mighty transformation, and the world be
+peopled, as before, with the varieties of material loveliness, and space
+be again lighted up into a firmament of material splendor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is, indeed, a homage to that materialism, which many are for expunging
+from the future state of the universe altogether, that, ere the immaterial
+soul of man has reached the ultimate glory and blessedness designed for
+it, it must return and knock at the very grave where lie the mouldered
+remains of the body which it wore, and there inquisition must be made for
+the flesh, and the sinews, and the bones which the power of corruption
+has, perhaps centuries before, assimilated to the earth around them, and
+then the minute atoms must be reassembled into a structure that bears upon
+it the form, and lineaments, and general aspect of a man, and the soul
+passes into this material framework, which is hereafter to be its
+lodging-place forever; and that not as its prison, but as its pleasant and
+befitting habitation; not to be trammelled, as some would have it, in a
+hold of materialism, but to be therein equipped for the services of
+eternity; to walk embodied among the bowers of our second paradise; to
+stand embodied in the presence of our God.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The glorification of the visible creation,&#8221; says Tholuck, the
+distinguished German divine, &#8220;is more definitely declared in Rev. xxi. 1,
+although it must be borne in mind that a prophetic vision is there
+described. Still more definitely do we find the belief of a transformation
+of the material world declared in 2 Peter, iii. 7-12. The idea that the
+perfected kingdom of Christ is to be transferred to heaven, is properly a
+modern notion. According to Paul and the Revelation of John, the kingdom
+of God is placed upon the earth, in so far as this itself has part in the
+universal transformation. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> exposition has been adopted and defended
+by most of the oldest commentators; <i>e. g.</i>, Chrysostom, Theodoret,
+Hieronymus, Augustine, Luther, Koppe, and others. Luther says, in his
+lively way, &#8216;God will make, not the earth only, but the heavens also, much
+more beautiful than they are at present. At present, we see the world in
+its working clothes; but hereafter it will be arrayed in its Easter and
+Whitsuntide robes.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I cannot but feel astonishment,&#8221; says Dr. John Pye Smith, &#8220;that any
+serious and intelligent man should have his mind fettered with the common,
+I might call it the vulgar, notion of a proper destruction of the earth;
+and some seem to extend the notion to the whole solar system, and even the
+entire material universe; applying the idea of an extinction of being, a
+reducing to nothingness. This notion has, indeed, been often used to aid
+impassioned description in sermons and poetry; and thus it has gained so
+strong a hold upon the feelings of many pious persons, that they have made
+it an article of their faith. But I confess myself unable to find any
+evidence for it in nature, reason, or Scripture. We can discover nothing
+like destruction in the matter of the universe as subjected to our senses.
+Masses are disintegrated, forms are changed, compounds are decomposed; but
+not an atom is annihilated. Neither have we the shadow of reason to assert
+that mind, the seat of intelligence, ever was, or ever will be, in a
+single instance, destroyed. The declaration in Scripture that <i>the heavens
+and the earth shall flee away, and no more place be found for them</i>, is
+undoubtedly figurative, and denotes the most momentous changes in the
+scenes of the divine moral government. If it be the purpose of God that
+the earth shall be subjected to a total conflagration, we perfectly well
+know that the instruments of such an event lie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> close at hand, and wait
+only the divine volition to burst out in a moment. But that would not be a
+destruction; it would be a mere change of form, and, no doubt, would be
+subservient to the most glorious results. <i>We, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness.</i>&#8221;&mdash;<i>Lectures on Geology and Revelation</i>, p. 161, (4th
+London edition.)</p>
+
+<p>Says Dr. Griffin, one of the ablest of the American divines, &#8220;A question
+here arises, whether the new heavens and new earth will be created out of
+the ruins of the old; that is, whether the old will be renovated and
+restored in a more glorious form, or whether the old will be annihilated,
+and the new made out of nothing. The idea of the annihilation of so many
+immense and glorious bodies, organized with inimitable skill, and
+declarative of infinite wisdom, is gloomy and forbidding. Indeed, it is
+scarcely credible that God should annihilate any of his works, much less
+so many and so glorious works. It ought not to be believed without the
+most decisive proof. On the other hand, it is a most animating thought
+that this visible creation, which sin has marred, which the polluted
+breath of men and devils has defiled, and which by sin will be reduced to
+utter ruin, will be restored by our Jesus, will arise from its ruins in
+tenfold splendor, and shine with more illustrious glory than before it was
+defaced by sin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After a laborious and anxious search on this interesting subject, I must
+pronounce the latter to be my decided opinion. And the same, I find, has
+been the more common opinion of the Christian fathers, of the divines of
+the reformation, and of the critics and annotators who have since
+flourished. I could produce on this side a catalogue of names which would
+convince you that this has certainly been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> the common opinion of the
+Christian church in every age, as it was also of the Jewish.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The words which are employed to express the destruction of the world do
+not necessarily imply annihilation. Is it said that the world shall
+perish? The same word is used to express the ancient destruction of the
+world by the flood, when certainly it was not annihilated. Is it said that
+the world shall have an end, and be no more? This may be understood only
+of the present form and organization of the visible system? Is it said
+that the heavens and the earth shall be dissolved by fire? But the natural
+power of fire is not to annihilate, but only to dissolve the composition
+and change the form of substances.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Sermons</i>, vol. ii. p. 450.</p>
+
+<p>We have now examined the most important testimony respecting the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth; for inspiration only can
+certainly determine its future condition. But science may throw some light
+upon the changes through which it is to pass. And I now proceed to inquire
+whether geology affords us any glimpses of its future condition.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, geology shows us that the earth contains within itself
+all the agencies necessary for its future destruction in the manner
+pointed out in the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>Some author has remarked that, from the earliest times, there has been a
+loud cry of fire. We have seen that it began with the ancient Egyptians,
+and was continued by the Greeks. But in recent times it has waxed louder
+and far more distinct. The ancient notions about the existence of fire
+within the earth were almost entirely conjectural, but within the present
+century the matter has been put to the test of experiment. Wherever, in
+Europe and America, the temperature of the air, the waters, and the rocks
+in deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> excavations has been ascertained, it has been found higher than
+the mean temperature of the climate at the surface; and the experiment has
+been made in hundreds of places. It is found, too, that the heat increases
+rapidly as we descend below that point in the earth&#8217;s crust to which the
+sun&#8217;s heat extends. The mean rate of increase has been stated by the
+British Association to be one degree of Fahrenheit for every forty-five
+feet. At this rate, all known rocks would be melted at the depth of about
+sixty miles. Shall we hence conclude that all the matter of the globe
+below this thickness (or, rather, for the sake of round numbers, below one
+hundred miles) is actually in a melted state? Most geologists have not
+seen how such a conclusion is to be avoided. And yet this would leave only
+about one eight hundredth part of the earth&#8217;s diameter, and about one
+fourteenth of its contents, or bulk, in a solid state. How easy, then,
+should God give permission, for this vast internal fiery ocean to break
+through its envelope, and so to bury the solid crust that it should all be
+burnt up and melted! It is conceivable that such a result might take place
+even by natural operations. And certainly it would be easy for a special
+divine agency to accomplish it.</p>
+
+<p>It may be thought, however, that the igneous fluidity of the internal part
+of the globe is too mighty and improbable a conclusion to be based upon
+the increase of temperature, observed only to the depth of two or three
+thousand feet. But this is not the only evidence of such a condition of
+the earth&#8217;s interior. Three hundred active volcanoes, and still more
+numerous extinct ones, have opened their mouths and poured forth their
+molten contents from a great depth, to bear witness to the existence of
+vast masses of melted rock beneath the earth&#8217;s crust. The globe, too, is
+flattened at the poles, just to the amount it would be by rotation on its
+axis, had it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> been a liquid mass; and, therefore, there is every
+probability that it was once liquid; and if so once, its interior is
+probably still so, because the period for cooling it, when once surrounded
+by a solid crust, must be incalculably long. That this solid crust has
+once been liquid from heat, is most obvious to all who carefully examine
+it. For the unstratified rocks have certainly once been melted, and most
+of the stratified series were derived from the unstratified. Again, the
+organic remains dug out from the deep-seated strata prove that, when they
+were alive, the surface, even in high latitudes, must have been subject to
+a tropical, or even an ultra-tropical heat; thus showing us that the
+temperature of the globe has gradually diminished, as we should expect
+from the theory of original igneous fluidity. And, finally, no other
+hypothesis but the gradual cooling of the earth&#8217;s crust, and the powerful
+volcanic agency that must from time to time have torn and ridged up that
+crust, will account for the present fractured and overturned condition of
+the strata, and the elevation of our continent from the ocean&#8217;s bed. But
+this supposition does most satisfactorily explain all these phenomena, and
+also those of earthquakes and volcanoes.</p>
+
+<p>I must acknowledge, however, that all these arguments fail of convincing a
+few geologists of the doctrine of internal igneous fluidity, to the extent
+above described. But they all admit that the facts do prove the existence
+of vast oceans of melted matter beneath the earth&#8217;s crust. Nor do even
+these geologists doubt but the globe contains within itself the agencies
+requisite for a universal conflagration. Mr. Lyell says that &#8220;there must
+exist below enormous masses of matter, intensely heated, and in many
+instances in a constant state of fusion.&#8221; He says, also, &#8220;When we consider
+the combustible nature of the elements of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> earth, so far as they are
+known to us, the facility with which their compounds may be decomposed and
+made to enter into new combinations, the quantity of heat which they
+evolve during those processes; when we recollect the expansive power of
+steam, and that water itself is composed of two gases, which, by their
+union, produce intense heat; when we call to mind the number of explosive
+and detonating compounds which have been already discovered,&mdash;we may be
+allowed to share the astonishment of Pliny, that a single day should pass
+without a general conflagration. &#8216;<i>Excedit profecto omnia miracula, ullum
+diem fuisse quo non cuncta conflagrarent.</i>&#8217;&#8221;&mdash;Lyell&#8217;s <i>Principles of
+Geology</i>, b. ii. chap. xx. vol. ii.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As a consequence of the refrigeration of the centre and crust of the
+globe,&#8221; says D&#8217;Orbigny, &#8220;the withdrawment of matter has produced
+elevations and depressions on the consolidated crust; to which movements,
+in connection with those of the waters, we must impute the complete
+destruction of the existing fauna. These dislocations have brought about
+at each epoch changes of level in the consolidated beds and in the seas.
+And after a period of agitation, more or less prolonged, after each of
+these geological revolutions, different beings have been created to cover
+anew and enliven the surface of the earth.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Cours Elementaire
+Paleontologie</i>, p. 148.</p>
+
+<p>All geologists, then, agree that the elements of the earth&#8217;s final
+conflagration are contained within its bosom or upon its surface. At
+present, these elements are so bound down by counteracting agencies, that
+all is quiet and security. But let the fiat of the Almighty go forth for
+their liberation, and the scenes of the last day, as described in the
+Bible, will commence. The ploughshare of ruin will be driven onward, until
+this fair world is all ingulfed, and no trace of organic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> life remains.
+Yet to him who realizes that the destruction is only a necessary
+preparation for a brighter world, which will emerge from the ruins of the
+present; that, when the matter of the globe has been purified, its surface
+shall be covered with new and lovelier forms of beauty, surrounded by a
+still more bland and balmy atmosphere, and inhabited by sinless and
+immortal beings,&mdash;to him who realizes all this, the desolation will put on
+the aspect of a glorious transformation.</p>
+
+<p>In the second place, still deeper will be this impression, when we
+recollect that similar transmutations have already been experienced by the
+earth with an improvement of its condition. There is no evidence that the
+entire surface of the earth has ever undergone a complete fusion since
+organic life first appeared upon it. But we have reason to think that,
+frequently, at least, when one race of animals and plants has disappeared
+from the earth, it has been the result of violent catastrophes, proceeding
+from the elevation or subsidence of continents or chains of mountains.
+Says Agassiz, &#8220;A very remarkable, and perhaps the most surprising fact is,
+that the appearance of the chains of mountains, and the inequalities of
+the surface resulting from it, seem to have coincided generally with the
+epochs of the renewal of organized beings.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Ed. Journal of Science</i>, Oct.
+1842, p. 394.&mdash;These vertical movements of such large portions of the
+earth&#8217;s crust could have resulted only from the direct or indirect agency
+of volcanic power, though the destruction of organic life, which must have
+been the consequence, may have resulted as often from aqueous as igneous
+inundations. But usually both agencies were probably concerned, and the
+predominance of one or the other of these agencies is of little
+consequence to the argument; for if such wide-spread ruin has already
+repeatedly passed over the earth, a still wider desolation may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>
+presumed possible, if only a little wider play shall be given to the
+agents of destruction. Already have the changes of this sort which the
+earth, or portions of it, have undergone, resulted in an improved
+condition of its surface. In other words, at each successive epoch,
+animals and plants of a higher and more perfect organization have
+appeared, because the temperature, the air, and the earth&#8217;s general
+condition have been better adapted to their happy existence. The amount of
+limestone seems to have been constantly increasing, and, as a consequence,
+the fertility of the soil; probably, also, the amount of carbonic acid has
+diminished in the atmosphere, as animals with lungs have been multiplied.
+In short, there is a prodigious increase, among the present inhabitants of
+the globe, of animals and plants possessing complicated and delicate
+organization and loftier intellectual powers, over all former conditions
+of the globe. But we have reason to believe, from the Christian
+Scriptures, that the next economy of life which shall be placed upon the
+globe will far transcend all those that have gone before. Every vestige of
+sin, suffering, decay, and death will disappear. Says the Bible, <i>There
+shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be
+any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And there shall in
+no wise enter it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
+abomination, or maketh a lie.</i> In short, the change is no other than the
+conversion of this world into heaven. Reasonably, therefore, might we
+anticipate a most thorough destruction of the present world, to prepare
+the way for the introduction of such a glorious state. The Scriptures
+describe that state by the most splendid imagery that can be derived from
+existing nature. It is represented, figuratively, no doubt, as a splendid
+city, prepared of God, and let down to the earth. Its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> twelve foundations
+are all precious stones, its gates pearls, its wall jasper, and its
+streets pure gold, as it were, transparent glass. The Lord God Almighty
+and the Lamb are the temple of that city. Instead of the sun and the moon,
+the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. From
+out of their throne proceeds the water of life, clear as crystal, and
+along its banks grows the tree of life, with its twelve manner of fruits,
+yielding its fruit every month.</p>
+
+<p>Here, then, we have the most splendid and enchanting objects in nature
+brought before us as representatives of the new heavens and the new earth.
+Yet we cannot learn from the Bible, or science, what material dress nature
+will then put on. We are taught only that it will far exceed, in splendor
+and perfection, the drapery which she now wears. We may be assured that it
+will be eminently adapted to a spirit that is henceforth to be perfectly
+holy, happy, incorruptible, and immortal. Both revelation and geology
+agree in assuring us that the new earth, which will emerge from the ruins
+of the present, will be improved in its condition; but the particulars of
+that condition are not described&mdash;probably because we could not, in our
+present state, understand them.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the views concerning the earth&#8217;s future destruction and
+renovation, which appear to me to be taught by a fair interpretation of
+Scripture, and which harmonize with the teachings of geology. But we are
+met here by two formidable difficulties. In the first place, if the
+present earth is to be burnt up and melted at the last day, it must
+require thousands of years before another solid crust shall be formed upon
+its surface, capable of sustaining organic natures which are material. But
+the Bible represents the righteous, at the day of judgment, as reunited to
+their bodies, which they left in the grave, and entering at once into
+their residence upon the new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> earth. Where, then, can we find the
+thousands of years which, by this theory, are essential to prepare this
+residence for their reception? Into what intermediate place, what new
+Hades, shall they pass, until verdure shall clothe the new earth, and more
+than the primeval beauty of Eden take the place of the volcanic desolation
+which must reign over a world just beginning to cool from incandescent
+heat?</p>
+
+<p>I freely acknowledge that this is a serious objection to my theory; and
+perhaps it is insuperable, unless we resort to miraculous interference. It
+were easy to say, that God can, in a moment, convert a globe of fire into
+a paradise of beauty, and make its landscapes smile with charms
+transcending the bowers of paradise lost. Indeed, the Scriptures represent
+the New Jerusalem as prepared by God&#8217;s own hands, and let down at once
+upon the earth to form the metropolitan abode of the righteous.</p>
+
+<p>But, after all, I am unwilling thus to dispose of the difficulty. For it
+is a clumsy way to meet objections, when we undertake to philosophize upon
+events, either past, present, or future, to foist in a miracle, in order
+to eke out our hypothesis. We thus make an image of as incoherent parts as
+that in Nebuchadnezzar&#8217;s dream, and as easily broken in pieces.</p>
+
+<p>There is a second mode by which the difficulty under consideration can be
+completely obviated, could we only admit the theory on which it rests.
+Some theological writers have maintained that the day of judgment will
+occupy a long period,&mdash;thousands and tens of thousands of years
+perhaps,&mdash;in order that every individual may experience a literal trial
+before the universe for all his conduct on earth, so that the conscience
+of every one in that vast assembly shall approve the final sentence. They
+appeal to various texts of Scripture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> where it is strongly stated that
+rigid inquisition will be made on that solemn day into the conduct and
+motives of every individual. And it may be, indeed, that such descriptions
+are to have a literal fulfilment; and if so, we should have a period long
+enough for the new earth to be recovered by natural means from its
+volcanic desolation, and to be covered over with new forms of beauty. But
+I confess the theory of such a long period of judgment does not seem to me
+to be sustained by the most approved rules of exegesis, and therefore I am
+unwilling to rest upon it to sustain my own hypothesis.</p>
+
+<p>But is it not possible that our difficulty of conceiving how the spiritual
+body can enter at once upon its residence in the new heavens and earth,
+while yet the globe is only a shoreless ocean of fire, results from a
+mistaken conception of the nature of the spiritual body? Do we not judge
+of it by our own present bodies, and imagine that it must necessarily
+possess such an organization as would be destroyed by the extremes of heat
+and cold? And are we authorized to draw such an inference? The Scriptures
+have, indeed, left us very much in the dark as to the specific nature of
+the future glorified body, which Paul calls a spiritual body. He does not
+mean that it is composed of spirit, for then it would not differ from the
+soul itself, by which it is to be animated. He certainly means that it is
+composed of matter; unless, indeed, there be in the universe a third
+substance, distinct both from matter and spirit. But of the existence of
+such a substance we have no positive evidence; and, therefore, must
+conclude the spiritual body to be matter; called spiritual, probably,
+because eminently adapted to form the immortal residence of pure spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Yet we learn from the apostle&#8217;s description that it is not composed of
+flesh and blood, which, he says, cannot inherit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> the kingdom of God;
+neither is it capable of decay, like our present bodies. Indeed, the
+illustration which he derives from the decay and germination of a kernel
+of wheat shows us that the future body will be as much unlike the present
+as a stalk of wheat is different from the seed whence it sprang; and, in
+appearance, scarcely any two things are more unlike. Hence we may suppose
+the resurrection body of the righteous to be as different from that which
+the soul now animates as matter can be, in its most diverse forms.</p>
+
+<p>Now, the question arises, Do we know of any form of matter in the present
+world which remains the same at all temperatures, and in all
+circumstances, which no chemical or mechanical agencies can alter?&mdash;a
+substance which remains unchanged in the very heart of the ice around the
+poles, and in the focus of a volcano; which remains untouched by the most
+powerful reagents which the chemist can apply, and by the mightiest forces
+which the mechanician can bring to bear upon it? It seems to me that
+modern science does render the existence of such a substance probable,
+though not cognizable by the senses. It is the luminiferous ether, that
+attenuated medium by which light, and heat, and electricity are
+transmitted from one part of the universe to another, by undulations of
+inconceivable velocity. This strange fluid, whose existence and action
+seems all but demonstrated by the phenomena of light, heat, and
+electricity, and perhaps, too, by the resistance experienced by Encke&#8217;s,
+Biela&#8217;s, and Halley&#8217;s comets, must possess the extraordinary
+characteristic above pointed out. It must exist and act wherever we find
+light, heat, or electricity; and where do we not find them? They penetrate
+through what has been called empty space; and, therefore, this ether
+exists there, propagating its undulations at the astonishing rate of two
+hundred thousand miles per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> second. They emanate in constant succession
+from every intensely heated focus, such as the sun, the volcano, and the
+chemical furnace; and, therefore, this strange medium is neither
+dissipated nor affected by the strongest known heat. Both light and heat
+are transmitted through ice; and, therefore, this ether cannot be
+congealed. The same is true of glass, and every transparent substance,
+however dense; and even the most solid metals convey heat and electricity
+with remarkable facility; and, therefore, this ether exists and acts with
+equal facility in the most solid masses as in a vacuum. In short, it seems
+to be independent of chemical or mechanical changes, and to act
+unobstructed in all possible modifications of matter. And, though too
+evanescent to be cognizable by the senses, or the most delicate chemical
+and mechanical tests, it possesses, nevertheless, a most astonishing
+activity.</p>
+
+<p>Now, I am not going to assert that the spiritual body will be composed of
+this luminiferous ether. But, since we know not the composition of that
+body, it is lawful to suppose that such may be its constitution. This is
+surely possible, and that is all which is essential to my present
+argument.</p>
+
+<p>Admitting its truth, the following interesting conclusions follow:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, the spiritual body would be unaffected by all possible
+changes of temperature. It might exist as well in the midst of fire, or of
+ice, as in any intermediate temperature. Hence it might pass from one
+extreme of temperature to another, and be at home in them all; and this is
+what we might hope for in a future world. Some, indeed, have imagined that
+the sun will be the future heaven of the righteous; and on this
+supposition there is no absurdity in the theory. Nor would there be in the
+hypothesis which should locate heaven in solid ice, or in the centre of
+the earth.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>In the second place, on this supposition, the spiritual body would be
+unharmed by those chemical and mechanical agencies which matter in no
+other form can resist.</p>
+
+<p>The question has often arisen, how the glorified body, if material, would
+be able to escape all sources of injury, so as to be immortal as the soul.
+In this hypothesis, we see how it is possible; for though the whole globe
+should change its chemical constitution, though worlds should dash upon
+worlds, the spiritual body, though present at the very point where the
+terrible collision took place, would feel no injury; and safe in its
+immortal habitation, the soul might smile amid &#8220;the wreck of matter and
+the crush of worlds.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, on this supposition, the soul might communicate its
+thoughts and receive a knowledge of events and of other minds, through
+distances inconceivably great, with the speed of lightning. If we suppose
+the soul, in such a tenement, could transmit its thoughts and desires, and
+receive impressions, through the luminiferous ether, with only the same
+velocity as light, it might communicate with other beings upon the sun, at
+the distance of one hundred million miles, in eight minutes; and such a
+power we may reasonably expect the soul will hereafter possess, whether
+derived from this or some other agency. We cannot believe that, in another
+world, the soul&#8217;s communication with the rest of the universe will be as
+limited as in the present state. On this supposition, she need not wander
+through the universe to learn the events transpiring in other spheres, for
+the intelligence would be borne on the morning&#8217;s ray or the lightning&#8217;s
+wing.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, on this supposition, the germ of the future spiritual body may,
+even in this world, be attached to the soul; and it may be this which she
+will come seeking after on the resurrection morning.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span>I know not but this wonderful medium, in some unknown form, may attach
+itself to the sleeping dust; and though that dust be scattered upon the
+winds, or diffused in the waters of the ocean, and transformed into other
+animal bodies, still that germ may not be lost. The chemist has often been
+perplexed, when he thinks how the bodies of men are decomposed after
+death, and how every particle must, in some cases, pass into other bodies;
+he has been perplexed, I say, to see how the resurrection body should be
+identified, and especially how those particles could become a part of
+different bodies. Perhaps the hypothesis under consideration may relieve
+the difficulty. Perhaps, too, it may teach us how the soul exists and
+acts, when separated from the body. It may act through this universal
+medium, though in a manner less perfect than after it has united itself to
+the spiritual body raised from the grave.<small><a name="f20.1" id="f20.1" href="#f20">[20]</a></small></p>
+
+<p>But I fear I am venturing too far into the region of conjecture. My only
+object is, to show that we do know of a substance which might form a
+spiritual body which should be in its element upon the new earth, even
+though it were in the condition of a fiery ocean. It could not, indeed, be
+an organic body of such a kind as heat would destroy; though I see no
+reason why it may not possess an organism far more delicate and wonderful
+than that of our present bodies, and yet be unaffected by heat or cold, or
+mechanical or chemical agencies. I do not feel, therefore, that the
+objection which I am considering is insuperable. It results, I apprehend,
+from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> the false assumption that the spiritual body will be subject to
+those influences by which our present comparatively gross bodies are so
+powerfully affected.</p>
+
+<p>Shall I be pardoned if I say that, in the experiments of an incipient and
+maltreated science, we have, perhaps, a glimpse of the manner in which the
+soul will act in the future spiritual body? for if those experiments be
+not all delusion,&mdash;and how can we reasonably infer that experiments so
+multiplied, so various, and in many cases, when not in the hands of
+itinerant jugglers, so fairly performed,&mdash;I say, how can we regard all
+these as mere trickery? and if not, they are best explained by supposing
+the soul to act independently of the bodily organs, and through the same
+medium which we have supposed to constitute the future spiritual body. In
+this view, mesmerism assumes a most interesting aspect, forming, as it
+were, a link between the present and the future world. The theory which I
+have advanced does not, indeed, fall to the ground, though mesmerism
+should be found a delusion; yet it is but justice to say, that it first
+came under my eye in that most classical, philosophical, and attractive
+work, Townsend&#8217;s &#8220;Facts in Mesmerism.&#8221; A similar view, however, was
+presented several years earlier, in a work by Isaac Taylor, no less
+ingenious and profound, the &#8220;Physical Theory of Another Life,&#8221; a work,
+however, which makes not the slightest allusion to mesmerism. The author
+supposes such a state of things as I have imagined in another life to be
+in existence even now. &#8220;The sensation of light,&#8221; says he, &#8220;is now believed
+to result from the vibrations, not the emanations, of an elastic fluid, or
+ether; but this same element may be capable of another species of
+vibrations; or the electric or the magnetic fluids may be susceptible of
+some such vibrations; or an element as universally diffused as light
+through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> universe may be the medium of sonorous undulations, equally
+rapid and distinct, and serving to connect the most remote regions of the
+universe by the conveyance of sounds, just as the most remote are actually
+connected by the passage of light. Yet the sonorous vibrations of this
+supposed element may be far too delicate to awaken the ear of man, or, in
+fact, of a kind not perceptible by the human auditory nerve.&#8221; &#8220;We refuse
+to allow that a conjecture of this sort is extravagant, or destitute of
+philosophical probability; on the contrary, consider it as borne out, in a
+positive sense, by the discoveries of modern science. Might we then rest
+for a moment upon an animating conception (aided by the actual analogy of
+light) such as this, viz., that the field of the visible universe is the
+theatre of a vast social economy, holding rational intercourse at great
+distances? Let us claim leave to indulge the belief, when we contemplate
+the starry heavens, that speech, inquiry and response, commands and
+petitions, debate and instruction, are passing to and fro; or shall the
+imagination catch the pealing anthems of praise, at stated seasons,
+arising from worshippers in all quarters, and flowing on with thundering
+power, like the noise of many waters, until it meet and shake the courts
+of the central heavens?&#8221;&mdash;<i>Physical Theory of Another Life</i>, p. 202, 3d
+Am. ed.</p>
+
+<p>The second objection to the view which I have presented of the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth, as an abode of the righteous, may
+be thus stated: Heaven is an unchanging state; but a world which has been
+burned up and melted, even if we might suppose spiritual beings to dwell
+upon it, must undergo still further change. The radiation of its heat
+would form a crust over its surface; the waters, dissipated into vapor,
+would be recondensed; volcanic agency would ridge up the crust into
+mountains and valleys; and, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> short, geological agencies would at length
+form such a surface, so far as rocks and soil are concerned, as we now
+tread upon. And even though organic beings should not be again placed upon
+it, those changes would proceed, till, perhaps, another and another great
+catastrophe by fire might pass over it; nor can we say where these
+mutations would end. Can we believe such a world to be heaven?</p>
+
+<p>Here, again, as in the last objection, it appears to me, the main
+difficulty lies in our judging of the future spiritual body by that
+organism which we now inhabit. Heaven is, indeed, an unchanging state of
+happiness and holiness. But does it, therefore, follow that there can be
+no change in its material form and aspect? I have already shown that the
+spiritual body may be of such a composition that no change of temperature,
+of place or constitution, in surrounding bodies, can at all affect it. If
+the soul could be happy in one set of physical circumstances while in such
+a tenement, it might be happy in any other circumstances with which we are
+acquainted. But it does not follow that the happiness of the soul might
+not be increased by the changes of the material world around it. What is
+it on earth that affords the greatest amount of happiness derived from the
+external world? It is the immense variety of creation, produced chiefly by
+chemical and mechanical agencies. These changes afford us the most
+striking exhibitions of the wisdom, power, and benevolence of the Deity,
+within our knowledge; and why may not analogous, or still more wonderful
+changes, and greater variety, give still higher conceptions of the divine
+character to the inhabitants of heaven, and excite a purer and a stronger
+love? And to study that character will form, I doubt not, the grand
+employment of heaven. Who can tell what depths of knowledge may there be
+laid open into the internal constitution of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> matter, and its combinations,
+and especially its union with spirit! And what surer means of bringing out
+these developments than change, constant and everlasting change? For who
+can set limits to those mutations which an infinite God can produce upon
+the matter of this vast universe? It is easy to see that they may be
+literally infinite.</p>
+
+<p>Once more. We have seen that the geological changes which our world has
+hitherto undergone have been an improvement of its condition, and that
+each successive economy has been a brighter exhibition of divine wisdom
+and benevolence: Shall this progress be arrested when the present economy
+closes? We know that the righteous will forever advance in holiness and
+happiness. Why may not a part of that increase depend upon their
+introduction into higher and higher economies through eternal ages? May
+not this be one of the modes in which new developments of the character of
+God will open upon them in the world of bliss?</p>
+
+<p>The Scriptures represent the material aspect of the new heavens and the
+new earth, when first the righteous enter upon them, to be one of
+surpassing glory. But why may not other developments await them in the
+round of eternal ages, as their expanding faculties are able to understand
+and appreciate them?</p>
+
+<p>The greater the variety of new scenes in the material world which shall be
+presented to the mind, such as an infinite Deity shall devise, the more
+intense the happiness of their contemplations; and who can set limits to
+the permutations which such a being can produce, even upon matter? I can
+form no conjecture as to the nature of those new developments; nor do I
+believe they could be understood in our present state. I feel as if those
+formed too low an estimate of the new heavens and the new earth, who
+imagine a repetition there of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> most curious organic structures, the
+most splendid flowers and fruits, and the most enchanting landscapes of
+the present world: I fancy that scenes far more enchanting, and objects
+far more glorious, will meet the soul at its first entrance upon the new
+earth, even though to mortal vision it should present only an ocean of
+fire. I imagine a thousand new inlets into the soul&mdash;nay, I think of it as
+all eye, all ear, all sensation; now plunging deeper into the
+infinitesimal parts of matter than the microscope can carry us, and now
+soaring away, perhaps on the waves of the mysterious ether, far beyond the
+ken of the telescope. And if such is the first entrance into heaven, who
+can conjecture what new fields and new glories shall open before the mind,
+and fill it with ecstasy, as it flies onward without end! But I dare not
+indulge further in these hypothetical, yet fascinating thoughts; yet let
+us never forget, that in a very short time, far shorter than we imagine,
+all the scenes of futurity will be to us a thrilling reality. We shall
+then know in a moment how much of truth there is in these speculations.
+But if they all prove false, fully confident am I that the scenes which
+will open upon us will surpass our liveliest conceptions. The glass
+through which we now see darkly will be removed, and face to face shall we
+meet eternal glories. Then shall we learn that our present bodily organs,
+however admirably adapted to our condition here, were in fact clogs upon
+the soul, intended to fetter its free range, that we might the more richly
+enjoy the liberty of the sons of God, and expatiate in the spiritual body,
+<i>the building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the
+heavens</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Let us, then, live continually under the influence of the scenes that
+await us beyond the grave. They will thus become familiar to us and we
+shall appreciate their infinite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> superiority to the objects that so deeply
+interest us on earth. We shall be led to look forward even with strong
+desire, in spite of the repulsive aspect of death, to that state where the
+soul will be freed from her prison-house of flesh and blood, and can range
+in untiring freedom through the boundless fields of knowledge and
+happiness that are in prospect. Then shall we learn to despise the low
+aims and contracted views of the sensualist, the demagogue, and the
+worldling. High and noble thoughts and aspirations will lift our souls
+above the murky atmosphere of this world, and, while yet in the body, we
+shall begin to breathe the empyreal air of the new heavens, and to gather
+the fruits of the tree of life in the new earth, where righteousness only
+shall forever dwell.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_XII" id="LECTURE_XII"></a>LECTURE XII.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE.</span></p>
+
+<p>In order to impress some important truth or transaction, men have
+sometimes represented surrounding inanimate objects as looking on and
+witnessing the scene, or listening to the words, and ready ever afterwards
+to open their mouth to testify to the facts, should man deny them. I know
+of no writings from which to derive so striking an illustration of these
+strong figurative representations as the sacred Scriptures.</p>
+
+<p>Take, for a first example, the solemn covenant entered into between
+Jehovah and the Israelites, in the time of Joshua. To fix the transaction
+as firmly as possible in the minds of the fickle people, <i>he took a great
+stone and set it up there under an oak that was by the sanctuary of the
+Lord. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a
+witness unto us. For it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he
+spake unto us. It shall, therefore, be a witness unto you, lest ye deny
+your God.</i></p>
+
+<p>In a second example, the prophet Habakkuk describes the insatiable
+wickedness of the Chaldeans; and addressing the nation as an individual,
+he says, <i>Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many
+people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stone shall cry out of
+the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.</i> Such
+abominations had aroused even the most insensible part of creation, the
+very timber and the stone, to life and indignation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>In a third example, the whole multitude of Jews had just spread their
+garments upon the ground for Christ to ride over, they meanwhile crying
+out, <i>Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in
+heaven and glory in the highest.</i> But some of the Pharisees said, <i>Master,
+rebuke thy disciples; and he answered and said unto them, If these should
+hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.</i> If man refused to
+do homage to the King of glory, when he came among them, the rocks, more
+sensible, would break forth in his praises.</p>
+
+<p>The discoveries of modern science, however, show us that there is a
+literal sense in which the material creation receives an impression from
+all our words and actions that can never be effaced; and that nature,
+through all time, is ever ready to bear testimony of what we have said and
+done. Men fancy that the wave of oblivion passes over the greater part of
+their actions. But physical science shows us that those actions have been
+transfused into the very texture of the universe, so that no waters can
+wash them out, and no erosions, comminution, or metamorphoses, can
+obliterate them.</p>
+
+<p>The principle which I advance in its naked form is this: <i>Our words, our
+actions, and even our thoughts, make an indelible impression on the
+universe.</i> Thrown into a poetic form, this principle converts creation</p>
+
+<p class="poem">Into a vast sounding gallery;<br />
+Into a vast picture gallery;<br />
+And into a universal telegraph.</p>
+
+<p>This proposition I shall endeavor to sustain by an appeal to
+well-established principles of science. Yet, since some of these
+principles are not the most common and familiar, and have not been
+applied, except in part, to this subject, I must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> be more technical in
+their explanation than I could wish, and more minute in the details.</p>
+
+<p>The grand point, however, on which the whole subject turns, is the
+doctrine of reaction. By this is meant the mutual or reciprocal action of
+different things upon one another. Thus, if a body fall to the earth, the
+earth reacts upon it, and stops it, or throws it back. If sulphuric acid
+be poured upon limestone, a mutual action ensues; the acid acts on the
+stone, and the stone reacts upon the acid, and a new compound is produced.
+If light fall upon a solid body, the body reacts upon the light, which it
+sends back to the eye with an image of itself. These are examples of what
+is meant by reaction, or the reciprocal action of different substances
+upon one another. But it is not every kind of reaction that will prove a
+permanent impression to be made upon the universe by our conduct. Hence we
+must be more specific.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, the principle is proved and illustrated by the
+doctrine of mechanical reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p>From the principle, long since settled in mechanics, that action and
+reaction are equal, it will follow that every impression which man makes
+by his words, or his movements, upon the air, the waters, or the solid
+earth, will produce a series of changes in each of those elements which
+will never end. The word which is now going out of my mouth causes
+pulsations or waves in the air, and these, though invisible to human eyes,
+expand in every direction until they have passed around the whole globe,
+and produced a change in the whole atmosphere; nor will a single
+circumgyration complete the effect; but the sentence which I am now
+uttering shall alter the whole atmosphere through all future time. So
+that, as Professor Babbage remarks, to whom we are indebted for the first
+moral application of this mechanical principle, &#8220;the air is one vast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>
+library, on whose pages are forever written all that man has ever said, or
+woman whispered.&#8221; Not a word has ever escaped from mortal lips, whether
+for the defence of virtue or the perversion of the truth, not a cry of
+agony has ever been uttered by the oppressed, not a mandate of cruelty by
+the oppressor, not a false and flattering word by the deceiver, but it is
+registered indelibly upon the atmosphere we breathe. And could man command
+the mathematics of superior minds, every particle of air thus set in
+motion could be traced through all its changes, with as much precision as
+the astronomer can point out the path of the heavenly bodies. No matter
+how many storms have raised the atmosphere into wild commotion, and
+whirled it into countless forms; no matter how many conflicting waves have
+mixed and crossed one another; the path of each pulsation is definite, and
+subject to the laws of mathematics. To follow it requires, indeed, a power
+of analysis superior to human; but we can conceive it to be far inferior
+to the divine.</p>
+
+<p>The same thing is true of the waters. No wave has ever been raised on
+their bosom, no keel has ever ploughed their surface, which has not sent
+an influence and a change into every ocean, and modified every wave, that
+has rolled in upon the farthest shores. As the vessel crosses the deep,
+the parted waves close in, and every trace of disturbance soon disappears
+from human vision. Nevertheless, it is certain that every track thus
+furrowed in the waters has sent an influence through their entire mass,
+such as is calculable by distinct formul&aelig;; and it may be that glorified
+minds, by the principles of celestial mathematics, can as easily trace out
+the paths of the unnumbered vessels that have crossed the waters, as the
+astronomer can the paths of the planets or the comets.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>The solid earth, too, is alike tenacious of every impression we make upon
+it; not a footprint of man or beast is marked upon its surface, that does
+not permanently change the whole globe. Every one of its countless atoms
+will retain and exhibit an infinitesimal, but a real, effect through all
+coming time. It is too minute, indeed, for the cognizance of the human
+senses. But in a higher sphere there may be inlets of perception acute
+enough to trace it through all its bearings, and thus render every atom of
+the globe a living witness to the actions of every living being.</p>
+
+<p>In view of these facts, we cannot regard the glowing language of Babbage
+an exaggeration, when he says, &#8220;The soul of the negro, whose fettered
+body, surviving the living charnel-house of his infected prison, was
+thrown into the sea to lighten the ship, that his Christian master might
+escape the limited justice at length assigned by civilized man to crimes
+whose profit had long gilded their atrocity, will need, at the last great
+day of human accounts, no living witness of his earthly agony: when man
+and all his race shall have disappeared from the face of our planet, ask
+every particle of air still floating over the unpeopled earth, and it will
+record the cruel mandate of the tyrant. Interrogate every wave which
+breaks unimpeded on ten thousand desolate shores, and it will give
+evidence of the last gurgle of the waters which closed over the head of
+his dying victim. Confront the murderer with every corporeal atom of his
+immolated slave, and in its still quivering movements he will read the
+prophet&#8217;s denunciation of the prophet king.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The distinguished mathematical professor from whom I have just quoted
+limits the effects of this mathematical reaction to this globe and its
+atmosphere. But if, as the philosophers now generally admit, there is a
+subtile and extremely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> elastic medium pervading all space, why must they
+not extend to other worlds, yea, to the whole universe? Without an
+accurate acquaintance with the facts, indeed, it will seem a mere
+extravagant imagination to say that our most trivial word or action sends
+a thrill throughout the whole material universe; but I see not why sober
+and legitimate science does not conduct us to this conclusion. Nay, still
+further, it teaches us that the vibrations and changes which our words and
+actions produce upon the universe shall never cease their action and
+reaction till materialism be no more.</p>
+
+<p>We venture, then, to push this thought of the ingenious mathematician into
+another sphere, which he did not enter. The majority, probably, of the
+ablest expounders of the Bible have maintained, as previously shown, that
+the apostle Peter most unequivocally teaches us that the new heavens, or
+atmosphere, and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, are merely
+our present earth and atmosphere, melted and burnt by the fires of the
+last day, and fitted up anew,&mdash;a second and a lovelier paradise,&mdash;to be
+the everlasting abode of holiness and happiness. Indeed, to attempt to fix
+any other meaning upon Peter&#8217;s language makes of it a most absurd jumble
+of literal and figurative expressions, and produces an inversion of
+chronological events. But, admitting the literal meaning of the apostle to
+be the true one, then those reactions, produced by our words and conduct
+upon the present world, shall not be destroyed by the fires of the last
+day, but reappear in the new economy, and modify the pulsations of the new
+heavens and the new earth through all eternity.</p>
+
+<p>But even though heaven should be in some other part of the universe, and
+not this earth refitted, yet, if it be a material residence, why, on the
+principles already explained, should it not be reached and affected by
+those vibrations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> which the laws of mathematics assure us are now
+spreading from each individual, as a centre, through the whole universe?
+The conflagration of the earth will alter its chemical constitution, and
+convert matter into new forms; but the mechanical character of the atoms
+will not be destroyed; and when they emerge from the final catastrophe, in
+new and brighter forms, they may still bear and exhibit the impress of
+every word and every action which they now receive.</p>
+
+<p>Such representations as these, I am aware, will, upon first thought, seem
+to most minds little better than the dreams of fancy, although founded
+upon the laws of mathematics. For how soon does every trace disappear from
+the earth of the most terrible convulsions and the mightiest human
+efforts! The shout of countless multitudes, the thunder and the crash of
+battle, and even the volcano&#8217;s bellowing, are soon succeeded by unbroken
+silence; and we cannot discover a trace of any of those countless scenes
+of noise and convulsion that have been acted upon the world&#8217;s busy stage.
+How practically absurd, then, to imagine that any influence goes out from
+the feeble efforts of individuals, that can be recognized, either now or
+hereafter, on the wide field of the universe!</p>
+
+<p>Such objections as these, however, are based upon the impression, of which
+it is hard to divest ourselves, that our present means of distinguishing
+the effects of physical forces are as perfect as we can hope for in
+eternity. And yet, who will doubt that, when our present gross bodies
+shall be laid aside, the soul, looking forth from a spiritual body, with
+quickened powers and unobstructed vision, shall penetrate a new world in
+the infinitesimal parts of creation? What absurdity in the supposition
+that then the minutest movement among the atoms, which can now be
+discovered only by the mathematics of quantities infinitely small, may
+then stand out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> as distinctly to our inspection as do now the features of
+the landscape? What absurdity in the supposition that, even now, there are
+finite minds in the universe who possess this quickened power of
+perception, and, though in distant worlds, do actually know what is
+passing here by the vibrations which our words and actions produce upon
+elastic matter?</p>
+
+<p>Thus far I have spoken of the influence of our words and actions only upon
+the material universe, although the principle with which I started
+includes thoughts also. But are not actions merely the external
+manifestation of thoughts and purposes? and, therefore, is not thought the
+efficient agency that impresses the universe? I shall also attempt to show
+that there are other modes in which the intellect may do this, aside from
+ordinary words and actions.</p>
+
+<p>But I proceed to the second proof of the general principle. <i>And I derive
+it from what may be called optical reactions; that is, the reaction of
+light and the substances on which it impinges.</i> These exert such an
+influence upon it, that, when it is thrown back from them, and enters the
+organs of vision, or even a transparent lens, with a screen behind it, it
+produces an image of those objects; in other words, what we call vision.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it is this fact, in connection with the progressive motion of light,
+that forms the basis of this branch of the argument. Though light moves
+with such immense velocity, that, for all practical purposes on earth, it
+is instantaneous, yet, in fact, it does occupy a little more than a second
+for every two hundred thousand miles which it passes over. Hence a flash
+of lightning occurring on earth would not be visible on the moon till a
+second and a quarter afterwards; on the sun, till eight minutes; at the
+planet Jupiter, when at its greatest distance from us, till fifty-two
+minutes; on Uranus, till two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> hours; on Neptune, till four hours and a
+quarter; on the star of Vega, of the first magnitude, till forty-five
+years; on a star of the eighth magnitude, till one hundred and eighty
+years; and on a star of the twelfth magnitude, till four thousand years;
+and stars of this magnitude are visible through telescopes; nor can we
+doubt that, with better instruments, stars of far less magnitude might be
+seen; so that we may confidently say that this flash of lightning would
+not reach the remotest heavenly body till more than six thousand years&mdash;a
+period equal to that which has elapsed since man&#8217;s creation.</p>
+
+<p>Now, suppose that, on these different heavenly bodies, beings exist with
+organs of vision sufficiently acute to discern a flash of lightning on
+earth, or, rather, to see all the scenes on that hemisphere of our world
+that is turned towards them; it is obvious that, on the remotest star, the
+earth would be seen, at this moment, just coming forth from the Creator&#8217;s
+hand, in all the freshness of Eden&#8217;s glories, with our first parents in
+the beauty of innocence and happiness, and all the beasts of the field and
+the fowls of the air playing around them. On a star of the twelfth
+magnitude would be seen the world as it showed itself four thousand years
+ago; on a star of the eighth magnitude, as it appeared one hundred and
+eighty years ago; and so on to the moon, where would be seen the
+occurrences of the present moment. And since there are ten thousand times
+ten thousand worlds, scattered through these extremes of distance, is it
+not clear that, taking them all together, they do at this moment contain a
+vast panorama of the world&#8217;s entire history, since the hour when the
+morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy on
+creation&#8217;s morning?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thus,&#8221; says the unknown author of a little work entitled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> &#8220;The Stars and
+the Earth,&#8221; in which these ideas were first developed&mdash;&#8220;thus the universe
+encloses the <i>pictures</i> of the past, like an indestructible and
+incorruptible record, containing the purest and the clearest truth; and as
+sound propagates itself in the air, wave after wave, or, to take a still
+clearer example, as thunder and lightning are in reality simultaneous, but
+in the storm the distant thunder follows at the interval of minutes
+[seconds?] after the flash, so, in like manner, according to our ideas,
+the pictures of every occurrence propagate themselves into the distant
+ether, upon the wings of the ray of light; and although they become weaker
+and smaller, yet, in immeasurable distance, they still have color and
+form; and as every thing possessing color and form is visible, so must
+these pictures also be said to be visible, however impossible it may be
+for the human eye to perceive it with the hitherto discovered optical
+instruments.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This last statement of the writer every one will acknowledge is true when
+applied to God; for who will doubt that his eye can take in at a glance
+that universe which he has made? And to do that is to have before him the
+entire daily history of our globe; nay, probably, also, of every other
+world. Indeed, such a supposition affords us a lively conception of the
+divine omniscience, since we have only to suppose this panorama of the
+indefinite past to extend indefinitely into the future, and the infinite
+picture will also be present at this moment before the divine mind.</p>
+
+<p>But is the supposition an absurdity, that there may be in the universe
+created beings, with powers of vision acute enough to take in all these
+pictures of our world&#8217;s history, as they make the circuit of the
+numberless suns and planets that lie embosomed in boundless space? Suppose
+such a being at this moment upon a star of the twelfth magnitude, with an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>
+eye turned toward the earth. He might see the deluge of Noah, just
+sweeping over the surface. Advancing to a nearer star, he would see the
+patriarch Abraham going out, not knowing whither he went. Coming still
+nearer, the vision of the crucified Redeemer would meet his gaze. Coming
+nearer still, he might alight upon worlds where all the revolutions and
+convulsions of modern times would fall upon his eye. Indeed, there are
+worlds enough and at the right distances, in the vast empyrean, to show
+him every event in human history.</p>
+
+<p>We may proceed a step farther, and inquire whether such an exaltation of
+vision as we have supposed may not be hereafter enjoyed by the glorified
+human mind when it passes into the spiritual body. We can hardly believe
+such a transformation possible. But suppose an individual born blind to
+grow up to manhood and intelligence without ever having been told any
+thing about vision. Then suppose the oculist to attempt an operation for
+the restoration of his sight, and, to prepare him for the transition, let
+the wonders of human vision be described to him, and he be told that, by a
+few moments of suffering, he can be put in possession of this astonishing
+faculty; would it not appear as improbable to him as it now does to us, to
+imagine that our vision can be so clarified and exalted, that we can
+discern the events which are passing in distant worlds as easily as we now
+do those immediately around us.</p>
+
+<p>But if such a power of reading human history, from its panorama spread out
+on the face of the universe, be now possessed by unfallen beings in other
+spheres, what idea must they form of the character of man? At one time,
+they must regard the race as given up to hopeless rebellion, and the
+inflictions of vindictive justice. And then, anon, they would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> see the
+sceptre of mercy stretched out, and a few faithful soldiers marching under
+the banner of virtue and fighting the battles of the Lord. Surely they
+would need a revelation to understand the anomalies and solve the
+paradoxes which passed under their eyes. They would wonder why a world so
+filled with tokens of divine goodness, yet so disfigured by wickedness in
+every form, had not long since been struck from its orbit by the hand of
+divine justice.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far, in the present argument, I have been following, for the most
+part, in the track marked out by others. But I now venture to advance into
+regions hitherto untrodden for any such purpose; yet I trust that the
+light which we may find to guide our steps may not prove the bewildering
+gleam of an <i>ignis fatuus</i>, but the lamp of true science.</p>
+
+<p><i>My third argument is based upon electric reactions.</i></p>
+
+<p>Whatever may be the true nature of electricity, it is convenient, and
+probably leads to no error, to speak of it as a fluid, or rather two
+fluids. For we find two kinds of electricity, denominated positive and
+negative; and it is a general fact, that, when a body is brought into one
+electrical state, it throws other bodies around it into the opposite
+state, by a power called induction. Those bodies, whose electrical
+condition has been thus altered, will act on others lying in a remoter
+circle, and these upon others, and so on, we cannot tell how widely, for
+we have reason to suppose that electricity is a power that extends through
+all nature. It can hardly be doubted that is the force which constitutes
+what we call chemical affinity by which the constituent parts of all
+compound bodies are held together; and in those stony and metallic masses,
+that occasionally fall from the heavens, we have proof that this same
+power holds sway in other worlds; for the most reasonable supposition is,
+that these meteors move like the planets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> through the regions of celestial
+space, and give us some idea of the constitution of planetary worlds. If
+so, the same chemical laws, and, of course, the same chemical forces,
+prevail there as in our planet. Indeed, the uniformity of nature would
+lead us to such a conclusion were there no facts like those of meteors to
+teach it directly. It follows, from these principles, that, whenever we
+change the electrical condition of bodies around us, we start a movement
+to whose onward march we can assign no limits but the material universe.
+These waves of influence consist of a series of attractions and
+repulsions, and are independent of the mechanical reactions already
+considered, which are produced by onward impulses alone.</p>
+
+<p>Now, a change in the electric condition of bodies is produced often by the
+slightest mechanical, chemical, thermal, physiological, and probably even
+mental change in man. The usual way of exciting currents of electricity is
+by friction. But chemical action, as in the galvanic battery, produces a
+still more energetic and uninterrupted current. The slightest change of
+temperature, also, may disturb the electric equilibrium perceptibly. It
+has been of late ascertained, likewise, that a change of physiological
+condition&mdash;that is, a change as to healthy and normal action&mdash;affects the
+electricity of the parts of the system, and consequently of surrounding
+bodies. Substitute a man in the place of a galvanic battery, making his
+two hands the electrodes, and there will go out from him an electric
+current, that shall sensibly deflect the needle of a galvanometer, an
+instrument employed for showing the presence of small portions of
+electricity.</p>
+
+<p>Nay, further, it seems to be most probably established as a fact in
+science, that a man, in the condition above specified, by a simple act of
+his will upon his muscles, by which those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> of one arm only shall be
+braced, will thereby send an electrical current of one sort through the
+galvanometer, while a like volition, which shall brace the muscles of the
+other arm will set in motion an opposite current.</p>
+
+<p>It is also ascertained, that of the two sorts of nerves which supply every
+muscle, the nerve of sensibility is a positive pole of a Voltaic circuit,
+while the nerve of motion, or the muscle into which it passes, is a
+negative pole. So that the sensor nerves act as electric telegraphs to
+carry the sensations to the brain, and inform it what is needed, while the
+motor nerves bring back the volition to the muscles&mdash;the brain acting as a
+galvanic battery, very much like the electric organs of certain fishes.</p>
+
+<p>From these statements it clearly follows, that, besides the mechanical
+effects produced by our actions, there is also an electric influence
+excited and propagated by almost every muscular effort, every chemical
+change within us, every variation in the state of health, or vigor, and
+especially by every mental effort; for no thought, probably, can pass
+through the mind which does not alter the physiological, chemical, and
+electric condition of the brain, and consequently of the whole system. The
+stronger the emotion, the greater the change; so that those great mental
+efforts, and those great decisions of the will, which bring along
+important moral effects, do also make the strongest impression upon the
+material universe. We cannot say how widely, by means of electric force,
+they reach; but if so subtile a power does, as we have reason to suppose,
+permeate all space, and all solid matter, there may be no spot in the
+whole universe where the knowledge of our most secret thoughts and
+purposes, as well as our most trivial outward act, may not be transmitted
+on the lightning&#8217;s wing; and it may be, that, out of this darkened world,
+there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span> may not be found any spot where beings do not exist with
+sensibilities keen enough to learn, through electric changes, what we are
+doing and thinking.</p>
+
+<p>If there be no absurdity in supposing that even the mechanical influence
+of our actions may be felt throughout the universe, still less is it
+absurd to infer the same results from electric agencies.</p>
+
+<p>It would seem, from recent discoveries, that electricity has a more
+intimate connection with mental operations than any other physical force.
+If not identical with the nervous influence, it seems to be employed by
+the mind to accompany that influence to every part of the system; and the
+greater the mental excitement, the more energetic the electric movement.
+It seems to us a marvellous discovery, which enables man to convey and
+register his thoughts at the distance of thousands of miles by the
+electric wires. Should it excite any higher wonder to be told, that, by
+means of this same power, all our thoughts are transmitted to every part
+of the universe, and can be read there by the neuter perceptions of other
+beings as easily as we can read the types or hieroglyphics of the electric
+telegraph? Yet what a startling thought is it, that the most secret
+workings of our minds and hearts are momentarily spread out in legible
+characters over the whole material universe! nay, that they are so woven
+into the texture of the universe, that they will constitute a part of its
+web and woof forever! To believe and realize this is difficult; to deny it
+is to go in the face of physical science. How many things we do believe
+that are sustained by evidence far less substantial!</p>
+
+<p><i>My fourth argument in support of the general principle is based upon
+odylic reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p>And what is odylic reaction? What is odyle? you will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> doubtless inquire.
+It is, indeed, a branch of science emphatically new. I know of no account
+of it, save what appears in a late work, of nearly five hundred pages, by
+Baron Reichenbach, of Vienna, entitled &#8220;Researches on Magnetism,
+Electricity, Heat, Light, Crystallization, and Chemical Attraction, in
+their Relations to the Vital Force,&#8221; translated by William Gregory,
+professor of chemistry in the University of Edinburgh. This writer
+endeavors to show, by a great number of experiments, that there exists in
+all bodies, and throughout the universe, a peculiar principle, analogous
+to magnetism, electricity, light, and heat, yet distinct from them all, to
+which he gives the name of <i>odyle</i>. It is most manifest in powerful
+magnets; next in crystals, and exists in the human body, the sun, moon,
+stars, heat, electricity, chemical action, and, in fact, the whole
+material universe. Those who are most sensitive to this influence are
+persons of feeble health, especially somnambulists; but it is found that
+about one third of individuals, taken promiscuously, and many in good
+health, are sensible of it; and it was by a series of observations on
+persons of all classes and conditions for years, that the facts have been
+elicited. The inquiry seems to have been conducted with great fairness and
+scientific skill, and the author has the confidence of several of the most
+distinguished scientific men in Europe. If there be no mistake in the
+results, they promise to explain philosophically many popular
+superstitions, and also the phenomena of mesmerism, without a resort to
+superhuman agency, either satanic or angelic. They yield, also, an
+interesting support to the principle of this lecture. Says Baron
+Reichenbach, &#8220;There is nothing in these observations [which he had just
+detailed] that, after the contents of the preceding treatises, can much
+surprise us; but they are certainly a fine additional confirmation of what
+has been stated in regard to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> the sun and moon, and also of the fact that
+the whole material universe, even beyond our earth, acts on us with the
+very same kind of influence which resides in all terrestrial objects; and
+lastly, it shows that we stand in a connection of mutual influence,
+hitherto unsuspected, with the universe; so that, in fact, the stars are
+not altogether devoid of action on our sublunary, perhaps even on our
+practical, world, and on the mental processes of some heads.&#8221;&mdash;P. 162.</p>
+
+<p>By the experiments here referred to by this author, he had endeavored to
+show, that even the light of the stars exerted an odylic influence upon
+the human system; that is, certain effects independent altogether of their
+light; and if there be no mistake in the experiments, they certainly do
+show this. Such a fact almost realizes the suggestions already made, that
+beings in other spheres may possess such an exaltation of sensibilities as
+to be able to learn what is going on in this world, and that it is easy to
+conceive how our sensorium may be raised to the same exalted pitch.</p>
+
+<p><i>My fifth argument, illustrative of the general principle, is based upon
+chemical reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p>Mechanical reaction changes the form and position of bodies; chemical
+reaction alters their constitution. By the decomposition of some
+compounds, the elements are obtained for forming others; and such changes
+are going on around us and within us in great numbers unperceived. In the
+worlds above us, and in the earth beneath us, from its circumference to
+its centre, the transmutations of chemistry are in progress, and many of
+them are modified by the agency of man; so that here is another channel
+through which human actions exert an influence upon the material universe,
+and to an extent which we cannot measure. Let us look at some of the modes
+in which this is done.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span>Take, in the first place, the facts respecting photography, or the art of
+obtaining sketches of objects by means of the action of light. This is
+strictly a chemical process. In a beam of light, that comes to us from the
+sun, we find not only rays of light and heat, but chemical rays, which act
+upon some bodies to change their constitution. When these rays are
+reflected from a human countenance, and fall upon a silvered plate, that
+has been coated with iodine and bromine, they leave an impression, which
+is fixed and brought out as a portrait by the vapor of mercury and some
+other agents. Here the chemical changes produced by these rays are
+exceedingly perfect; but they produce effects upon many other substances,
+artificially or naturally prepared; such as paper, for instance, immersed
+in a solution of bichromate of potash, or upon vegetation, whose green
+color is probably the result of this action, (as is obvious from the fact
+that plants growing in the dark are destitute of color.) Indeed, a large
+part of the changes of color in nature depend upon these invisible rays.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, then, that this photographic influence pervades all nature; nor
+can we say where it stops. We do not know but it may imprint upon the
+world around us our features, as they are modified by various passions,
+and thus fill nature with daguerreotype impressions of all our actions
+that are performed in daylight. It may be, too, that there are tests by
+which nature, more skilfully than any human photographist, can bring out
+and fix those portraits, so that acuter senses than ours shall see them,
+as on a great canvas, spread over the material universe. Perhaps, too,
+they may never fade from that canvas, but become specimens in the great
+picture gallery of eternity.</p>
+
+<p>The thought may perhaps cross some mind, that, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> those human actions
+which are performed in sunlight may be imprinted upon the universe, yet no
+deed of darkness can thus reveal its author, and remain an eternal stigma
+upon his name. But there is another phase to this subject. What is the
+evidence that the chemical rays of a sunbeam are rays of light? We know
+that they are unequally diffused through the spectrum, being most
+energetic at its violet extremity; but there is no proof that they are
+visible. They may, like heat, exert their appropriate influence, which
+seems to be mainly that of deoxidation, and yet not be colorific. If so,
+we might expect them to operate in the dark; and experiment proves that
+they do. An engraving on paper, placed between an iodized silver plate and
+an amalgamated copper plate, was left in the dark for fifteen hours. On
+exposing the amalgamated plate to the vapor of mercury, &#8220;a very nice
+impression of the engraving was brought out&mdash;it having been effected
+through the thickness of the paper.&#8221;&mdash;Mr. Hunt, <i>&#8220;On the Changes which
+Bodies are capable of undergoing in Darkness,&#8221; Phil. Mag.</i> vol. xxii. p.
+277.&mdash;Many like experiments prove the existence; among bodies, of a power
+analogous to, if not identical with, that which accompanies light, and is
+the basis of the photographic process. Some philosophers do not regard
+them as identical. But this is of little consequence in my present
+argument. For all agree that there is a power in nature capable of
+impressing the outlines of some objects upon others in total darkness.</p>
+
+<p>In respect to such cases, there are one or two facts deserving of special
+notice. And, first. We must not infer, because man has yet been able to
+bring out to human view but a few examples of this sort, that they are,
+therefore, few in nature. Rather should the discovery of a few lead to the
+conclusion that nature may be full of them, and that a more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> delicate and
+refined chemistry may yet disclose them. For the few known cases give us a
+glimpse of a recondite law of nature, which most likely pervades creation.
+Some regard these dark rays as neither light, nor heat, nor chemical rays,
+but a new element; but, whatever its nature, no reason can be given why it
+should operate only in a few cases, and those of artificial preparation.
+More probably, through this influence, all bodies brought into contact, or
+proximity, impress their images upon one another; and the time may come,
+when, touched by a more subtile chemistry than man now wields, these
+images shall take a place among obvious and permanent things in the
+universe, to the honor and glory of some, but to the amazement and
+everlasting contempt of more.</p>
+
+<p>Of more, I say; for wickedness has oftener sought the concealment of
+darkness than modest virtue. The foulest enormities of human conduct have
+always striven to cover themselves with the shroud of night. The thief,
+the counterfeiter, the assassin, the robber, the murderer, and the
+seducer, feel comparatively safe in the midnight darkness, because no
+human eye can scrutinize their actions. But what if it should turn out
+that sable night, to speak paradoxically, is an unerring photographist!
+What if wicked men, as they open their eyes from the sleep of death, in
+another world, should find the universe hung round with faithful pictures
+of their earthly enormities, which they had supposed forever lost in the
+oblivion of night! What scenes for them to gaze at forever! They may now,
+indeed, smile incredulously at such a suggestion; but the disclosures of
+chemistry may well make them tremble. Analogy does make it a scientific
+probability that every action of man, however deep the darkness in which
+it was performed, has imprinted its image upon nature, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span> there may
+be tests which shall draw it into daylight, and make it permanent so long
+as materialism endures.</p>
+
+<p>There is another chemical principle, called <i>catalysis</i>, through which
+human actions may make powerful and permanent impressions on the universe,
+and that, too, unperceived by man. In some cases, the mere presence of a
+certain agent, in a small quantity, will produce extensive changes of
+constitution in other bodies, while the agent itself remains unaltered.
+Thus a strip of platinum will determine the union of oxygen and hydrogen
+in the platinum lamp; and sulphuric acid, in a solution of starch, will
+change it first into gum, and then into sugar; while neither the platinum
+nor the acid experiences any change. These are called <i>catalytic</i> changes.
+More often, however, the catalytic agent is itself in the process of
+change, and it produces an analogous change in other bodies. A familiar
+example is yeast, or ferment. This substance contains a principle called
+<i>diastase</i>, one part of which is capable of converting two thousand parts
+of starch into sugar; and this is what is done in the familiar process of
+fermentation, when we always see verified the scriptural declaration, <i>A
+little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.</i></p>
+
+<p>The precise manner in which the diastase operates in these cases we may
+not be able to explain. The particles of the diastase, being themselves in
+motion, possess the power of putting in motion the particles of other
+bodies; and these, again, operate upon others, and so on, often to an
+astonishing extent. In the case of the platinum and the acid, however, no
+change takes place in their molecules, and we can only state it, as an
+unexplained fact, that they do produce changes in other bodies.</p>
+
+<p>We have other examples of catalytic influences in nature,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> exhibiting an
+agency still more subtile and energetic. I refer to contagious and
+epidemic diseases in animals and plants. An influence goes abroad, and
+seems to be propagated through the atmosphere, traversing whole
+continents, and crossing wide oceans, powerful and deadly in its effects,
+yet inappreciable by the most delicate mechanical or chemical tests. But
+the phenomena admit of explanation by supposing a movement, either in the
+particles of the atmosphere, or of the still more subtile and elastic
+medium that pervades all space; a movement started at a particular spot,
+as the cholera in India, and the small-pox or some epidemic from some
+focus, and communicating an unhealthy movement from atom to atom, till it
+has encircled the earth and mowed down its hecatombs.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when we look at such facts, who can suppose it improbable that man,
+who can hardly lift a finger without producing some chemical change,
+should start some of these movements, that may reach far beyond his
+imagination? And here, as in the cases that have preceded, we must not
+estimate the actual change in the constitution of bodies by the apparent;
+for we know that multitudes of such changes are passing within us and
+around us, without our cognizance; and yet there may be chemical eyes in
+the universe quick enough to see them all, and to follow them onward to
+the final result; for there must be a final resultant of all such forces;
+nor can we doubt that, some time or other, and to some beings, if not to
+ourselves, it will be manifest. Here, then, is another mode in which a
+chemical influence may go forth from us, reaching the utmost limits of
+matter and of time; nay, perhaps extending into eternity, and revealing
+our actions to the finer sensibilities of exalted beings.</p>
+
+<p><i>I derive my sixth argument in support of the general principle from
+organic reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span>Few persons, save the zo&ouml;logist and comparative anatomist, have any idea
+of the great nicety and delicacy of the relations that exist between all
+the species of animals and plants, so that what affects one affects all
+the rest. Perhaps the subject may be illustrated by supposing all the
+species of organic beings to be distributed at different distances through
+a hollow sphere, while between them all there is a mutual repulsion, and
+the whole are retained in the form of a sphere by an attracting force
+directed to the centre. By such an arrangement, if one species be taken
+out of the sphere, or its repellency become stronger or weaker, the
+relative position of all the rest would be altered. No matter how many
+millions of species there are, the movements of one will cause a reaction
+among all the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Now, this illustration, although an approximation, falls short of
+representing the actual state of things in nature. It is no exaggeration
+to say that a relation similar to the supposed one exists throughout the
+vast dominions of animate beings; so that you cannot obliterate or change
+one species without affecting all the rest. Often the change is effected
+so slowly and indirectly that the beings experiencing it are unconscious
+of it; or they may realize some slight disturbance of the balance in
+organic nature, and yet be unconscious of the cause. By the illustration
+above given, when one or more species is removed from the supposed sphere,
+or its repellent force weakened or strengthened, although an influence
+will reach all the other species, yet a new equilibrium will soon be
+established, and no permanently bad effects seem to follow. But not so in
+nature. There the balance originally fixed between different beings by
+infinite wisdom is the best possible; and every change, not intended by
+Providence, must be for the worse. It was intended, for instance, that man
+should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> subdue forests and extirpate noxious plants, as well as ferocious
+and noxious animals; and, therefore, such a change operates to his
+advantage, but to the injury of the inferior animals. Yet often he pushes
+this exterminating process so far as to injure himself also. Thus the
+farmer wages a relentless war against certain birds, because of some
+slight evils which they occasion. But when they are extirpated,
+opportunity is given for noxious insects to multiply, and to bring upon
+the farmer evils much greater than those he thus escapes.</p>
+
+<p>To prevent an excessive multiplication of some species is one of the grand
+objects of the present balance established among the whole. Such an
+increase is an inevitable effect of the extinction of a species, and it
+often occasions great mischief. The carnivorous species, especially, were
+intended to act as nature&#8217;s police, to prevent a too great increase of the
+herbivorous races, which are rendered excessively fruitful to keep the
+world full. If, then, a carnivorous species become extinct, the species on
+which it has fed will so multiply as to prove great nuisances, and to
+produce wide disorder among many species, not only of animals, but of
+plants. And often has man, in this way, by the extermination of species,
+in particular districts, unwittingly brought a powerful reaction on
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>On the Island of New Zealand, within one or two hundred years past, eight
+or ten species of gigantic birds&mdash;the dinornis and palapteryx&mdash;have become
+extinct, probably through the persecution of man. The natives, without
+doubt, hunted them down for food, until all disappeared: and as no
+quadruped of much size inhabits the island, we think there is no little
+plausibility in the suggestion of Professor Owen, that when the birds were
+all gone, or nearly gone, the natives were tempted to the practice of
+cannibalism, as the only means of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> gratifying their passion for meat. What
+a terrible retribution for disturbing the equilibrium of organic nature!</p>
+
+<p>The records of zo&ouml;logy and botany afford endless illustration of this
+subject. But the great truth which they all teach is, that so intimately
+are we related to other beings, that almost every action of ours reacts
+upon them for good or evil; for good, upon the whole, when we conform to
+the laws which God has established; and for evil, when by their violation
+we disturb the equilibrium of organized nature, and produce irregular
+action. In this latter case, we cannot tell where the disturbance, thus
+introduced, will end; for it is not a periodical oscillation, like the
+perturbations of the heavenly bodies, nor a mere change of position and
+intensity by mechanical forces.</p>
+
+<p>But does not this law of mutual influence between organic beings extend to
+other worlds? Why should it not be transmitted by means of the
+luminiferous ether to the limits of the universe? Who knows but a blow
+struck upon a single link of organic beings here may be felt through the
+whole circle of animate existence in all worlds? That is a narrow view of
+God&#8217;s work, which isolates the organic races on this globe from the rest
+of the universe. The more philosophical view throws the golden chain of
+influence around the whole animal creation, whether small or great, near
+or remote.</p>
+
+<p>Reverting to the reasoning which we employed in tracing out the extent of
+mechanical reaction, we shall see that organic reaction may extend not
+only to other worlds, but also into eternity. For if the matter of the
+universe is to survive the conflagration of the last day, the future
+economy of life must have some connection with the present, whether this
+earth or some other part of the universe be the theatre of its
+development.</p>
+
+<p>I speak here not of moral influences, which we know will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> pass over from
+time into eternity, but of a physical reaction, which may also reach
+beyond the same gulf. For at least a part of those creatures, who in this
+world have felt the modifying power of other beings, will survive the
+world&#8217;s final catastrophe, and occupy material, though spiritual bodies,
+whose germ is represented as derived from their bodies on earth. We have
+reason, then, to suppose some connection and modifying influence between
+them. And we might show, also, that moral causes, which so affect the
+physical character here, may exert a like power in eternity. But time will
+not permit the argument to be followed out.</p>
+
+<p>The conclusion, then, from this argument also, is, that probably every
+action of ours on earth modifies the condition and destiny of every other
+created being in this and other worlds through time and eternity. What
+though human experience, dependent on the bluntness of mortal
+sensibilities, cannot demonstrate such an influence? Shall the gross
+perceptions of this disordered world be made the standard of all that
+exists? Rather let us listen to the suggestions of science, which tell us
+of the possibility of senses far more acute in other worlds, and in a
+future state of being&mdash;senses that can trace out and feel the vibrations
+of the delicate web of organic influence that binds together the great and
+the small, the past, the present, and the future, throughout the universe.</p>
+
+<p><i>My seventh argument in support of the general principle depends upon
+mental reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p>Mental reaction operates in two ways&mdash;indirectly and directly; indirectly
+through matter, directly by the influence of mind upon mind, without an
+intervening medium. When describing electric reactions, I have shown how
+our thoughts and volitions change the electric, chemical, and even
+mechanical condition of the body, and, through these media,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> that of all
+the material universe; and I need not repeat that argument. But to modify
+the inanimate world through these agencies necessarily affects all other
+intellects, which are connected with matter; and since man in a future
+world is to assume a spiritual body, we may reasonably suppose that all
+created beings are in some way connected with matter; and, therefore, by
+means of materialism, through the subtile agencies that have been named,
+we may be sure that an influence goes out from every thought and volition
+of ours, and reaches every other intellect in the wide creation. I know
+not whether, in other worlds, their inhabitants possess sensibilities
+acute enough to be conscious of this influence; certainly, in this world,
+it is only to a limited extent that men are conscious of it. Yet we must
+admit that it exists and acts, or deny the demonstrated verities of
+science.</p>
+
+<p>But is there not evidence that mind sometimes acts directly upon other
+minds, without any gross, intervening media? It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether any created intellect operates, except in connection with some
+form of matter. Yet there are certain facts in the history of individuals
+in an abnormal state, which show that one mind acts upon another,
+independent of the senses, or any other material means or
+intercommunication discoverable by the senses. Take the details of
+sleep-waking, or somnambulism; and do not they present us with numerous
+cases in which impressions are made by one mind upon another, even when
+separated beyond the sphere of the senses? Take the facts respecting
+double consciousness, and those where the power was possessed of reading
+the thoughts, of others, or the facts relating to prevision; and surely
+they cannot be explained but by the supposition of a direct influence of
+one mind upon another.</p>
+
+<p>Still more decided in this respect are the most familiar facts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> of
+artificial somnambulism, called mesmerism. Whatever may be our views of
+this unsettled branch of knowledge as a whole, it would seem as if we
+could not doubt that its facts prove the action of mind upon mind,
+independently of bodily organization, without rejecting evidence which
+would prove any thing else.</p>
+
+<p>Now, if we admit that mind does operate upon other minds while we are in
+the body, independent of the body, can we tell how far the influence
+extends? If electricity, or some other subtile agent, be essential to this
+action, it would indeed transfer this example to electric reaction, but it
+would still be real. Yet, in the absence of all certain proof of the
+electric power in this case, and with certain proof of the existence of
+such an influence, we may place it among those marvellous means by which
+man makes an impression, wide beyond our present knowledge, upon the
+universe, material and mental; and it ought to make us feel that our
+lightest thoughts and feeblest volitions may reach the outer limit of
+intellectual life, and its consequences meet us in distant worlds, and far
+down the track of eternity.</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally. I derive an argument in support of the general principle from
+geological reaction.</i></p>
+
+<p>By this expression, I mean those reactions of whose existence geology
+furnishes the proof. They are, in fact, the reactions already considered;
+but geology proves that they have actually operated in past time in many
+instances, by evidence registered on the rocks, and thus tends to confirm
+our reasoning derived from other sources. I do not mean that the proof is
+before us of precisely such an action as our reasoning has supposed, but
+so analogous to that supposed as to lend it confirmation. A few examples
+will illustrate the argument.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span>The effects of mechanical reaction are, perhaps, most frequent and
+striking in the rocks, especially those deposited from water. Here we
+have, for instance, the <i>ripple marks</i>, which present us with a faithful
+register of the slightest movement of the waters, and also of the motions
+of the atmosphere, or of the currents in it, that agitated the waters. In
+the almost impalpable powder that sometimes constitutes the rocks, we can
+trace the slightest erosion and comminution of the strata from which the
+deposit was worn. In the petrified rain drops we find an indelible trace
+of the most gentle shower. And here, too, we can see the direction of the
+wind. Such facts, also, imply the operation of electricity and gravity, of
+heat and cold, collecting and condensing the rain, and bringing it down;
+and so similar to present meteorological phenomena do these ancient
+showers appear to have been, that we may conclude that electrical
+reactions, in all respects, were the same as at present.</p>
+
+<p>The preservation of the tracks of numerous animals in some of the
+sandstones shows us how deep and permanent an impression the most trivial
+action of a living being may make. In these footmarks we sometimes notice
+a change in the direction of the animal along the surface; and, of course,
+an impression deeper or more shallow than usual, of parts of the foot, by
+the action of the muscles employed in changing the animal&#8217;s course. Here,
+then, we have the register of so slight an action as an increased or
+diminished action of a particular muscle of the leg. Nay, further, such a
+movement affords us an infallible register of an act of the animal&#8217;s will,
+since that must have preceded the change; and that implies an electric
+current, first inward along the sensor nerves, and then outward along the
+motor nerves.</p>
+
+<p>Geology lays open before us a map of the changes in organic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span> nature from
+the apparent commencement of life on the globe, and thus enables us to see
+examples of this kind of reaction. We find different economies of life to
+have appeared, but all of them most wisely adapted to existing
+circumstances. In each economy we perceive the balance between the
+different tribes provided for. If, for instance, one race of carnivorous
+species died out, new races were created to occupy their place, so that
+the herbivorous species should not overrun the globe. Thus, when the early
+sauroid fishes diminished, the gigantic and carnivorous marine saurian
+reptiles were introduced. And when the chambered shells, whose occupants
+were carnivorous, disappeared with the secondary period, numerous univalve
+mollusks were created to feed on other animals; although previously that
+family were herbivorous. It would seem, however, as if each successive
+economy of organic life had contained within itself the seeds of
+extinction. It was, indeed, mainly a change of climate which first caused
+some species to disappear. But their destruction so disturbed the balance
+of creation that others followed, until total extinction was the result,
+which, however, was often hastened by catastrophes.</p>
+
+<p>Thus we have in the stony volume of the earth&#8217;s history actual examples of
+effects resulting from the acts, and even volitions, of the inferior
+animals, which can never be erased while the rocks endure.</p>
+
+<p>If, therefore, with our imperfect senses, we can see these results so
+distinctly, we may safely infer that human conduct, and thought, and
+volition impress upon the globe, nay, upon the universe, marks which
+nothing can obliterate.</p>
+
+<p>The thoughts which press upon the mind, in view of such a conclusion, are
+numerous and interesting. A few we can hardly help noticing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span><i>In the first place, what a centre of influence does man occupy!</i></p>
+
+<p>It is just as if the universe were a tremulous mass of jelly which every
+movement of his made to vibrate from the centre to the circumference. It
+is as if the universe were one vast picture gallery, in some part of which
+the entire history of this world, and of each individual, is shown on
+canvas, sketched by countless artists, with unerring skill. It is as if
+each man had his foot upon the point where ten thousand telegraphic wires
+meet from every part of the universe, and he were able, with each
+volition, to send abroad an influence along these wires, so as to reach
+every created being in heaven and in earth. It is as if we had the more
+than Gorgon power of transmuting every object around us into forms
+beautiful or hideous, and of sending that transmuting process forward
+through time and through eternity. It is as if we were linked to every
+created being by a golden chain, and every pulsation of our heart or
+movement of our mind modified the pulsation of every other heart and the
+movements of every other intellect. Wonderful, wonderful is the position
+man occupies, and the part he acts! And yet it is not a dream, but the
+deliberate conclusion of true science.</p>
+
+<p><i>Secondly. We see in this subject the probability that our minutest
+actions, and perhaps our thoughts, from day to day, are known throughout
+the universe.</i></p>
+
+<p>I speak not here of the divine omniscience, which we know reaches every
+thought and action; but I refer to created beings. Science shows us how,
+in a variety of modes, such knowledge may be conveyed to them by natural
+agencies; and we have only to suppose them to be possessed of far more
+acute sensibilities than man&#8217;s, in order to be affected by these agencies
+as we are by more powerful impressions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span> And when we consider how fettered
+and depressed a condition this world obviously is in, because of its
+sinfulness, who will doubt but the unfallen beings of other spheres may
+enjoy those keener perceptions that will bring our whole history
+distinctly before them, day by day? The thought is, indeed, startling, but
+not unphilosophical.</p>
+
+<p>If this suggestion be true, then may we indulge the thought as highly
+probable that our friends, who have gone before us into the eternal world,
+may be as familiar with our conduct, our words, and even our thoughts, as
+we are ourselves. If we are acting as we ought, and so as will please
+them, this must be an animating idea; but if we are not, let it serve to
+stimulate us to our duty, if a sense of the divine omniscience is not
+sufficient.</p>
+
+<p><i>We infer from this subject, thirdly, the probability that, in a future
+state, the power of reading the past history of the world, and of
+individuals, may be possessed by man.</i></p>
+
+<p>The nature of the future spiritual body, and of the heavenly state and
+employments, impresses the mind with the belief that it will be a
+condition far more exalted than the present, and that the inlets to the
+soul will be cleared of all obstructions; so that no impression made on
+such a sensorium shall fail to give the mind a distinct perception. In
+heaven, such extreme sensibility might become a source of richest
+pleasure; in the world of despair, an instrument of severe punishment; yet
+in both cases it might be the natural result of a man&#8217;s earthly course.
+Now, such an indefinite exaltation of the perceptions in futurity scarcely
+any one will doubt. Why should we doubt any more that it may rise so high
+that man will be able to read, through the agencies we have pointed out,
+the minutest action and thought in human experience? If, as we have reason
+to suppose, angels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> can do it now, the Bible informs us that we shall be
+like the angels.</p>
+
+<p>If this view be admitted, then it may be that the present world is the
+only spot in the universe where deeds of wickedness can be concealed. In a
+sinful world we can see reasons why the power of concealment should exist
+to some extent. For though no man should do or think any thing which he is
+ashamed to have known, yet, if all the plans of men for the promotion of
+good objects were fully known from their inception, the wicked could
+generally defeat them. But in a world of perfect holiness no such
+necessity would exist, since the universal desire would be to promote
+every worthy object; and, therefore, it may be that every soul will lie
+perfectly open to the inspection of all other souls&mdash;an arrangement that
+seems appropriate to such a world.</p>
+
+<p>In what an aspect does this principle present the conduct of the suicide!
+Tired of earthly scenes, he rushes unbidden into eternity to escape them.
+But instead of escaping them, he goes where every one of these mortal
+evils&mdash;yea, and multiplied, too, a thousand fold&mdash;shall start up in his
+path with a distinctness of which he had no conception. And henceforth he
+can never find, as in this world, even a partial deliverance from their
+terrible vividness. It is as if, to avoid the moonlight, because too
+bright, a man should plunge into the sun.</p>
+
+<p>Again, if this principle be true, how annoying will it be, to the man who
+has not acted well his part in this world, to meet in eternity the
+ever-recurring mementoes of his evil deeds! He will hardly be able to open
+his eyes without seeing some plague-spot on creation as the result of his
+conduct; and although infinite wisdom and power have stayed the plague, no
+thanks are due to him. The tendencies of his conduct on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> earth will be
+most distressing to look upon; and these shall not cease to lie open
+before him till the last sand in the glass of eternity is run out.</p>
+
+<p>But, on the other hand, how does this principle strew the path of eternity
+with flowers to that man who, in this world, finds his highest pleasure in
+doing good! Not merely his highest and noblest deeds of benevolence here
+shall loom up in bright perspective there, but a thousand acts of private
+beneficence, unknown to the world and forgotten by himself, shall stand
+out distinctly on the moving panorama of that better world; and he will be
+amazed to see what a wide and blessed influence they have exerted, and
+will exert, as the catalytic influence moves on and widens in its endless
+march. It might have ruined him to see these fruits in this world, by
+exciting pride and vain glory; but it will awaken there only gratitude and
+love to the grace that enabled him thus, in time, to sow the seeds which
+should fill eternity with flowers, and fragrance, and golden fruit.</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally. What new and astonishing avenues of knowledge</i> does this subject
+show us will probably open upon the soul in eternity!</p>
+
+<p>I do not now speak of the new knowledge of the divine character which will
+then astonish and delight the soul by direct intuition, but rather of
+those new channels that will be thrown open, through which a knowledge of
+other worlds, and of other created beings, can be conveyed to the soul
+almost illimitably. And just consider what a field that will be. At
+present we know nothing of the inhabitants of other worlds, and it is only
+by analogy that we make their existence probable. Nor, with our present
+senses, could we learn any thing respecting them but by an actual visit to
+each world. But let the suggestions to which our reasonings have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span>
+conducted us prove true,&mdash;let our sensorium be so modified and
+spiritualized that every thought, word, and action in those worlds shall
+come to us through pulsations falling upon the organ of vision, or by an
+electric current through the nerve of sensation, or by some transmitted
+chemical change,&mdash;and on what vantage ground should we be placed! Without
+leaving the spot of our residence, supposing the universe constituted as
+it now is, we might study out the character and constitution of the
+countless inhabitants of at least one hundred millions of worlds, which we
+know to exist; nay, of ten thousand times that number, which probably
+exist. Every movement of matter around us, however infinitesimal, would be
+freighted with new knowledge, perhaps from distant spheres. Every ray of
+light that met our gaze from the broad heavens above us would print an
+image upon our visual organs of events transpiring in distant worlds,
+while every electrical flash might convey some idea to our mind never
+before thought of. Every chemical ray, too, might inform us of scenes far
+off in the regions of night; and then who can calculate what organic and
+mental influences might be transmitted to us from beings of all ranks and
+scattered through all worlds? To speak of organs, indeed, as the medium of
+perceptions in another world, may be absurd; but we mean only, by that
+term, whatever may be substituted for our present organs; and we assume
+that the properties of matter will exist forever; and, therefore, we may
+presume that light, and electricity, and chemical affinity, and corporeal
+and mental influences will, under modified forms, be the modes by which
+knowledge shall ever be transmitted. At least, assuming that they will be,
+and the magnificent conceptions we have now traced out may be hereafter
+realized. And surely, if they be only slightly probable, the anticipation
+is full of thrilling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span> interest, and the moral effect of dwelling upon it
+must be salutary. It spreads out before us fields of knowledge which
+eternity can never exhaust, and attractive so immeasurably above all the
+knowledge of earth that we almost wait impatiently for the summons to
+break from our prison-house below, and to rise on our new pinions to
+celestial scenes.</p>
+
+<p>If such rich means of knowledge of created things be enjoyed by celestial
+minds, and they can drink it in to the full measure of their faculties,
+then one inevitable effect must be to make them unite, ever and anon, in
+adoration and praise to the infinite Being who created and sustains all,
+and whose glory is illustrated by all his works. And we can conceive that
+there may be stated periods, when, from every part of the universe, the
+anthem of praise comes rolling onwards towards some central spot, where
+the divine presence is most felt. O, how gladly will each happy soul,
+animated by every new accession of knowledge, join in the swelling p&aelig;an as
+it mounts up to the third heavens! Who knows but this is the hour when the
+peal is beginning? O, let not this world be the only spot in the universe
+where it shall be unheard and unheeded. Surely we see enough of the divine
+glory here to begin the song, which we hope to pour forth in loftier notes
+on high, <i>unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God;
+to whom be honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.</i></p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_XIII" id="LECTURE_XIII"></a>LECTURE XIII.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH.</span></p>
+
+<p>It is interesting and instructive to trace the history of man&#8217;s progress
+in the knowledge of the existence, character, and plans of Jehovah. We
+shall find that progress to have been marked by epochs, rather than
+continuous advancement. Some new revelation from heaven, or some new
+discovery in science, has given a sudden expansion to his views of the
+Deity, which have then remained in a good degree stationary for a long
+period. My chief object in this lecture is to show what accessions to our
+knowledge of the divine plans have been derived from science, especially
+from geology. But it will give greater distinctness and impressiveness to
+the subject to take a review of the principal steps by which the human
+mind has reached its present accurate spiritual and enlarged views of the
+Deity.</p>
+
+<p><i>We will first look at man in the rudest condition in society, in which he
+has any idea of the existence of beings superior to himself.</i></p>
+
+<p>For there is a state of his being in which no such ideas exist in his
+mind; tribes of men, and especially individuals, who have lived in a wild
+state, away from all human intercourse, have been found with no idea of a
+superior being of any sort. Other tribes have existed a little more
+elevated above the irrational animals, and these have an impression,
+derived perhaps from their moral sense, or growing out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> their
+superstitious fears, that some power exists in the universe greater than
+themselves. But having never entertained an abstract idea on any other
+subject, and depending alone upon their senses for their knowledge, they
+identify God with the most remarkable objects of nature. They listen to
+his voice in the wind and the thunder, in the ocean&#8217;s roar, and the
+volcano&#8217;s bellowing; and they see him in the sun, moon, and stars. They
+feel that he must be superior to themselves; but how much superior, they
+know not. They never think of him as infinite, because the idea of
+infinity on any subject never enters their mind. They conceive of the
+earth only as a plain of considerable extent, bounded by a circle, beyond
+which their thoughts never wander; and they look up to the heavens as a
+dome, perhaps solid, studded by luminous bodies, it may be a few feet or
+yards in diameter. They suppose that, somehow or other, this superior
+Being has the control of their destinies; but the idea of any thing like
+worship is too spiritual to be conceived of, except, perhaps, some
+superstitious rite, performed to deprecate the divine displeasure. In
+short, every thing in their notion of God is indefinite, gross, and
+confined to the narrow sphere of the senses.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, polytheism, especially among nations somewhat
+civilized, is an advance in man&#8217;s conceptions of the Supreme Being.</i></p>
+
+<p>Polytheism probably originated in the deification of distinguished men.
+Superior minds, who had been the leaders or the benefactors of mankind,
+were suddenly torn from an admiring world by death. Their bodies were left
+behind, but the animating principle, the immortal mind, had vanished in a
+moment; and it was a most natural inquiry, even among the most ignorant,
+whether some undying principle had not escaped and gone to a higher
+sphere; for it would be difficult<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span> to conceive how so much intelligence
+and virtue should be quenched in a moment in eternal night. It would be a
+most natural and gratifying conclusion with survivors, that their departed
+leaders and benefactors still lived, and were in some way concerned in
+watching over their interests, and in controlling their destinies.
+Conjectures of this sort would, in a few generations, settle into positive
+belief. Now, this would be a most important advance upon the gross
+materialism, and indefinite ideas, which identified divinity with striking
+objects of nature; for if distinguished warriors and statesmen were still
+alive after their bodies were laid in the grave, there must have escaped,
+at the moment of death, some principle too subtile to be cognizable by the
+senses, or by chemical, mechanical, or electrical agencies; and which,
+therefore, may have been immaterial. At least, by such a belief, men would
+be led insensibly to form an idea of the human soul as an extremely
+tenuous, if not immaterial, principle. Especially would educated
+men&mdash;those devoted to philosophical pursuits&mdash;come at length to have a
+clear conception of a spiritual being, neither visible by the senses, nor
+dependent upon the senses for the exercise of its faculties. Very soon
+would the imagination fill the universe with such beings, and conceive
+them as holding intercourse with one another, and as presiding over all
+the objects of this lower world, and directing all its destinies. It would
+be very natural, however, to endow these superior beings with human
+characteristics, and to suppose them actuated by human passions; and thus
+would the celestial society be represented as a counterpart of that on
+earth, deformed by the same vices and crimes. This would lead to the idea
+of a gradation in rank, power, and intellect among the gods, and to the
+conception of one as supreme. In the popular mythology, however, even
+Jupiter was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span> represented as acting under the influence of selfishness,
+pride, lust, and passion; and as sometimes brought into peril by his
+powerful inferiors. Some of the philosophers of Greece and Rome did,
+indeed, give descriptions of their supreme divinity not unworthy the
+biblical views of Jehovah. It may be that they got the clew to these just
+and elevated conceptions from the Bible. But it is not difficult to
+conceive that, in the manner which I have described, they might, by
+reasoning, with, perhaps, some hints derived from revelation, have
+gradually attained to these just and noble conceptions of the supreme
+divinity. Yet it ought not to be forgotten that these exalted views of the
+philosophers were not shared at all by the common people, and that even
+the philosophers themselves were for the most part polytheists.</p>
+
+<p>The next step in man&#8217;s knowledge of God was an immeasurable advance upon
+polytheism. <i>I refer to the revelation which God made of himself to the
+Jews in the Old Testament.</i> Most of this revelation did, indeed, precede
+the writings of the Greek and Roman philosophers, but it was confined to a
+rude and almost unknown people, until the days of their glory had gone by,
+and did not spread over the globe till an opportunity had been afforded to
+prove that <i>the world by wisdom knew not God</i>. You may, indeed, find, in
+the writings of a few philosophers, passages descriptive of the natural
+attributes of the Deity that will compare favorably with those of the Old
+Testament. But his moral attributes, his benevolence, mercy, justice, and
+holiness, are brought out in the Old Testament in a far more distinct and
+impressive manner than in all other ancient writings. Another point, and a
+vital one, with the writers of the Old Testament, in which that inspired
+volume goes infinitely beyond the philosophers, is the unity of God. They
+teach, as a fundamental principle, and with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span> all the earnestness which
+inspiration can bestow, not only that Jehovah is supreme, but that he is
+God alone, and that no other gods exist. You may, indeed, find statements
+to this effect in the works of the philosophers; but the conduct of
+Socrates, the most enlightened of them all,&mdash;in his dying moments,&mdash;in
+directing a sacrifice to be made to &AElig;sculapius, is a good practical
+commentary upon their doctrine of the divine unity. It shows that, with
+some correct notions of the supreme divinity, they believed in the
+existence of inferior deities; or, at least, they did not regard the
+popular error on this subject of importance enough to require them boldly
+to testify against it. But such testimony constitutes the burden of the
+Old Testament, as if all other religious truths were of little importance
+without it. And so far as these inspired books succeeded in fixing this
+doctrine in the minds of the Jews, they performed an immense service for
+religion. They swept at once from the universe the thirty thousand
+divinities of Greece and Rome, and placed Jehovah only on the throne. But,
+for some reason or other, polytheism has always been a doctrine most
+congenial to human nature; especially to the uncultivated mind; and the
+probability is, that the great mass of the Jews, while they believed in
+the supremacy of Jehovah, still supposed that the gods of the heathen had
+a real existence. This certainly was the case before the Babylonish exile,
+though doubtless the patriarchs had more correct notions. This fact
+explains the otherwise unaccountable disposition of the Jews to fall away
+to idolatry, in spite of all which Jehovah did to preserve among them his
+true worship.</p>
+
+<p>On the subject, also, of the divine spirituality, we have evidence that
+the notions of the great mass of the Jewish nation were low and confused.
+They distinguished, it is true, very clearly between the body and the
+soul. But they probably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span> conceived of the latter as a very subtile,
+invisible, corporeal essence, and not that pure, immaterial substance
+which is understood by that term in metaphysics. The abstract ideas
+attached to the soul in the nineteenth century probably never entered
+their minds; and though in strict language they might be called
+materialists, they were by no means such materialists as modern times have
+produced, who understandingly deny the existence of the soul, and regard
+it as a function of the brain. The Jews thought of God as the most subtile
+essence of which they could form any idea; but whether he were material,
+or immaterial, probably they never inquired. And it cannot escape the
+notice of a reader of the Old Testament how frequently God is represented
+by figures derived from material objects. This was in accommodation to the
+rude and uncultivated state of most minds in those early days. Purely
+abstract truths would have conveyed no ideas to minds which had never been
+accustomed to abstractions. Hence it is, that we meet in the Bible with so
+many descriptions of the Deity, which theologians and philosophers
+denominate <i>anthropopathic</i> and <i>anthropomorphic</i>. It was in accommodation
+to the uncultivated state of common minds, which could form no conceptions
+of God that were not founded on some property belonging to man. The
+language of the sacred writers does, indeed, when correctly interpreted,
+convey the idea of the most perfectly simple, spiritual, and immaterial
+substance as constituting the divine essence; and minds accustomed to
+abstract ideas find no difficulty in enucleating the spiritual meaning of
+Scripture. But had the divine Being been described by abstract terms, the
+great mass of men, even at the present day, would receive no impressive
+conception of the Godhead. God, therefore, in the Old Testament, revealed
+as much concerning himself and his plans, as men would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> understand. But
+other revelations and developments would follow, when the human mind
+should be prepared to receive and appreciate them.</p>
+
+<p><i>The revelations of Christianity have brought to light so much respecting
+the moral character and moral government of Jehovah, as to leave little
+further to be desired or expected in this world.</i></p>
+
+<p>The natural attributes of the Deity have a more spiritual and less
+anthropopathic aspect in the New Testament than in the Old. We are told in
+the former distinctly, that <i>God is a spirit, and those who worship him
+must worship him in spirit and in truth</i>. But God&#8217;s moral character, as
+developed in the New Testament, in the plan of redemption and salvation,
+presents us with a perfection and a glory unknown in all previous
+revelations. We have, it is true, in the Old Testament intimations and
+predictions of the plan, which is fully developed and exemplified in the
+new dispensation. But these were only shadows of Jesus Christ and him
+crucified. When he appeared, and by his sufferings, as a substitute for
+man, reconciled divine justice and mercy, and made a clear exposition of
+the moral law, and a disclosure of a future state of retributions, a flood
+of light was thrown upon God&#8217;s moral character. Every cloud that had
+rested upon it was cleared away, and immaculate holiness covered it with
+unapproachable splendor. In short, the human mind is incapable of forming
+a more correct estimate of moral excellence than is exhibited in the
+scriptural plan of salvation. The more it is meditated upon, and the more
+we experience its practical influence, the higher will be our conceptions
+of the moral glory of the divine character; nor have we reason to suppose
+that any further revelations would increase our apprehensions of it. For
+benevolence, mercy, justice, and grace are here exhibited in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> unlimited,
+that is, in infinite, glory and perfection, and therefore can never be
+exceeded.</p>
+
+<p>But though the exhibitions of the divine character and plans contained in
+the Bible are thus perfect and excellent, they are not the only
+exhibitions which the universe contains, and which man is capable of
+understanding. <i>Lo, these are a part of his ways.</i> The Bible has left the
+wonders of the natural world where it found them, to be examined and
+developed by philosophy. Some have thought that it has anticipated a few
+scientific discoveries; but if it had done this in one instance, it must
+have carried the same plan through the whole circle of science; else how
+could readers determine when the sacred writers were describing phenomena
+according to appearances and general belief, and when according to real
+scientific truth? But the fact is, scientific discoveries are left to
+man&#8217;s ingenuity; and as they are made from time to time, they bring out
+new and splendid illustrations of the character and plans of Jehovah. Let
+us now recur to some of these discoveries, that have opened the widest
+vistas into the arcana of nature.</p>
+
+<p><i>The discoveries in modern astronomy constitute the fifth step in man&#8217;s
+knowledge of God.</i></p>
+
+<p>In order to see how much man&#8217;s conceptions of the universe have been
+enlarged by these discoveries, compare the opinions which prevailed before
+the introduction of the Copernican system with what is now certain
+knowledge, founded upon physico-mathematics, respecting the extent of the
+universe. Then this earth was thought to be the centre and the principal
+body of the creation, immovably fixed, with the heavenly bodies, generally
+thought to be of diminutive size, revolving around it every twenty-four
+hours. The earth, too, except in the opinion of a few sagacious
+philosophers, was not imagined to be that vast globe which we now
+understand it to be, but a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> flat surface, perhaps a few hundred or
+thousand miles in extent, bounded by a circle, and resting on an imaginary
+foundation. The heavenly bodies were looked upon as little more than
+shining points, or at most a few yards, or by the most daring fancies a
+few miles, in extent. What a change have the telescope, the quadrant, and
+the transit instrument, aided by profound mathematics, and the talismanic
+power of the Newtonian theory of gravitation, produced! Every schoolboy
+now knows that this globe, enormous though it be compared with what the
+eye can take in from the loftiest eminence, is but a mere speck in
+creation, and, with the exception of the moon, appearing from other worlds
+only as one of the smallest stars in their heavens; so small that its
+extinction would not be noticed. To the ignorant mind, distances and
+magnitudes exceeding a hundred miles are conceived of only with great
+difficulty. But the astronomer, when he conceives of magnitudes, must make
+a thousand miles his shortest unit, and a million of miles when he
+conceives of distances in the solar system. And when he attempts to go
+beyond the sun and the planets, the shortest division on his measuring
+line must be the diameter of the earth&#8217;s orbit; and even then he will be
+borne onward so far, not on the wings of imagination, but of mathematics,
+that this enormous distance has vanished to a point. Even then he has only
+reached the nearest fixed star, and, of course, has only just entered upon
+the outer limit of creation. He must prepare himself for a still loftier
+flight. He must give up the diameter of the earth&#8217;s orbit as the unit of
+his measurements, because too short, and take as his standard the passage
+of light, at the rate of two hundred thousand miles per second. With that
+speed can he go on, until his mind has reckoned up six thousand years of
+seconds, and he will reach fixed stars<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span> whose light has not yet arrived at
+the earth, because it did not commence its journey till the time of man&#8217;s
+creation.</p>
+
+<p>But it is not merely in respect to distance and magnitude that astronomy
+has enlarged our knowledge of the universe. Numerically it has opened a
+field equally wide. Think of two thousand worlds rolling nightly around
+us, visible to the naked eye. Take the telescope, and see those two
+thousand multiply to fifty or one hundred millions, and then recollect how
+very improbable it is that the keenest optics of earth can reach more than
+an infinitesimal part of creation. Surely the mind is as much confounded
+and lost, when it attempts to conceive of the number of the worlds in the
+universe, as when it contemplates their distances and magnitudes. In
+respect to number and distance, at least, we find no resting-place but in
+infinity.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when we turn our thoughts to the Author of such a universe, our
+conceptions of his power, wisdom, and benevolence cannot but enlarge in
+the same ratio as our views of his works. They must, therefore, experience
+a prodigious expansion. And, indeed, the merest child in a Christian land,
+in the nineteenth century, has a far wider and nobler conception of the
+perfections of Jehovah than the wisest philosopher who lived before
+astronomy had gone forth on her circumnavigation of the universe. From the
+fact, also, which astronomy discloses, that worlds are in widely different
+chemical and geological conditions, some gaseous and transparent, some
+solid and opaque, and some liquid and incandescent, the mind can hardly
+avoid the inference that they are fulfilling the vast and varied plans of
+Jehovah.</p>
+
+<p><i>The sixth step in man&#8217;s knowledge of Jehovah has been made by the
+microscope.</i></p>
+
+<p>To give any correct idea of the boundless field which that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span> instrument has
+opened into the infinitesimal parts of creation, it would be necessary to
+go into details too extended for the present occasion. Perhaps the
+animalcula or infusoria furnish the best example. &#8220;In the clearest
+waters,&#8221; says an able writer, &#8220;and also in the strongly-troubled acid and
+salt fluids of the various zones of the earth; in springs, rivers, lakes,
+and seas; in the internal moisture of living plants and animal bodies; and
+probably, at times, carried about in the vapor and dust of the whole
+atmosphere of the earth, exists a world, by the common senses of mankind
+unperceived, of very minute living beings, which have been called, for the
+last seventy years, <i>infusoria</i>. In the ordinary pursuits of life, this
+mysterious and infinite kingdom of living creatures is passed by without
+our knowledge of, or interest in, its wonders. But to the quiet observer
+how astonishing do these become, when he brings to his aid those optical
+powers by which his faculty of vision is so much strengthened! In every
+drop of dirty, stagnant water, we are generally, if not always, able to
+perceive, by means of the microscope, moving bodies, of from one eleven
+hundred and fiftieth to one twenty-five thousandth of an inch in diameter,
+and which often lie packed so closely together that the space between each
+individual scarcely equals that of their diameter.&#8221;&mdash;Prichard, <i>History of
+Infusoria</i>, p. 2, 1841.</p>
+
+<p>Again says he, &#8220;It is hardly conceivable that, within the narrow space,
+[of a grain of mustard-seed,] eight millions of living, active creatures
+can exist, all richly endowed with the organs and faculties of animal
+life. Such, however, is the astonishing fact.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Ib.</i> p. 3.</p>
+
+<p>In short, whoever will thoroughly study this subject will be satisfied
+that Dr. Ehrenberg does not exceed the truth when he asserts, as the
+result of his inquiries, that &#8220;experience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> shows an unfathomableness of
+organic creations, when attention is directed to the smallest space, as it
+does of stars, when revealing the most immense.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Prichard</i>, p. 8.</p>
+
+<p>He who follows out the revelations of the telescope, as it penetrates
+deeper and deeper into space, will feel, when he has seen the remotest
+object which its power discloses, that there must certainly be a vast
+unknown region beyond, infinitely exceeding that one over which he has
+passed. Just so is it with the microscope. It penetrates to an astonishing
+distance into the infinitesimal forms of organic and inorganic matter; but
+every improvement in the instrument reaches a new and equally interesting
+field; and the conclusion forces itself upon the mind that there are
+regions beyond of indefinite extent, teeming with countless millions even
+of organic beings, of a size much more diminutive than those yet
+discovered, and with inorganic forms too minute for the imagination to
+conceive. Indeed, we can no more set limits to creation in the direction
+pointed out by the microscope than in that laid open by the telescope. We
+hence get a most impressive conception of divine wisdom and benevolence,
+which could thus bestow exquisite organization and life upon atoms minute
+beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. Indeed, it seems to me
+that the lesson is even more striking than the contemplation of vast
+worlds in rapid and harmonious motion; because the latter seem to demand
+only infinite power, but the former requires infinite wisdom to direct
+infinite power.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the seventh and last place, geology has given great enlargement to our
+knowledge of the divine plans and operations in the universe, and in the
+following particulars</i>:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>1. It expands our ideas of the time in which the material universe has
+been in existence as much as astronomy does in regard to its extent.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span>To those not familiar with the details of geology, this will probably seem
+a startling and extravagant assertion. There has been, and still is, an
+extreme sensitiveness in the minds of intelligent men on this subject. And
+I highly respect the ground from which their apprehensions spring, viz., a
+fear that to admit the great antiquity of the globe would bring discredit
+upon revelation. And yet I believe the most candid and able theologians of
+the present day do not fear that to admit the existence of the matter of
+the world previous to the six days&#8217; work of creation, is inconsistent with
+the Mosaic statement. But if we allow any period between its creation and
+the six demiurgic days, it is no more derogatory to Scripture to make that
+period ten millions of years than ten years. For if the sacred writer
+would pass over ten years in silence, he could, with the same propriety,
+pass over ten millions. Now, the longer I study geology, the nearer do my
+ideas approximate to the latter number as a measure of the earth&#8217;s
+duration. Let us contemplate a few facts. We are able to trace the
+geological changes that have taken place on the earth since man&#8217;s
+existence upon it with a good deal of accuracy. For since his remains are
+found only in alluvium, we must regard all changes that took place
+previous to the deposition of that formation to have been of an earlier
+date than his creation. Now, what are the changes which the last six
+thousand years have witnessed? In some places, the agency of rivers and
+other causes have made an accumulation of alluvial matter to the depth of
+not more than one or two hundred feet, although in particular places it is
+several hundred feet. These deposits have been pushed forward at the
+mouths of some large rivers, so as to cover hundreds, and even thousands,
+of square miles. Oceanic currents have also made deposits in the bottom of
+wide seas of considerable extent; and in some limited spots<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> these
+deposits have been consolidated into rock. The action of frost and
+gravity, also, has crumbled from precipitous ledges angular fragments
+enough to form a slope of detritus sometimes a hundred feet high. The
+polyparia, or coral builders, have advanced their work only a few feet in
+thickness during this period, and soils have accumulated in some places
+about as much. Volcanic action has occasionally thrown up a new island
+from the ocean&#8217;s bed; but only a few of them have been permanent. Some
+tracts of country, in no case more than a few hundred miles in extent,
+have, by the same agency, been raised a few feet, or sunk down the same
+amount. But after all, the earth&#8217;s surface remains essentially the same as
+when man was placed upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Now, compare these slight changes with those which have preceded it,
+through the operation of the same agencies, since the first existence of
+animals upon the globe. I will not contend, with some distinguished
+geologists, that these same changes have always operated with the same
+intensity as at present. But there are several circumstances which show
+that the depositions from water could not have been essentially different
+in ancient and modern times. Now, just compare six or eight miles in
+thickness of the fossiliferous deposits of the previous periods with the
+two hundred feet of alluvium accumulated during the historic period; and,
+after you have made all reasonable allowance for the greater intensity of
+action in former times, you will still find yourselves confounded by the
+incalculable time requisite to pile up such an immense thickness of
+materials, and then to harden most of them into stone; especially when you
+call to mind the numerous changes of organic life, and the vast amount of
+animal remains which they exhibit. A superficial observer might lump such
+a work, and crowd it into a few thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span> years. But the more its details
+are studied, the longer does the period appear that is requisite for its
+production. Each successive investigation discovers new evidence of
+changes in composition, or organic contents, or of vertical movements
+effected by extremely slow agencies, so as to make the whole work
+immeasurably long.</p>
+
+<p>But when we have gone back to the commencement of animal existence on the
+globe, we have taken but one step in our review of its early history. The
+next backward step embraces that wide period during which the stratified,
+non-fossiliferous rocks&mdash;far thicker than the fossiliferous&mdash;were
+deposited; probably by the agency of fire and water. Or if we adopt the
+metamorphic theory of Mr. Lyell, we shall be still more deeply impressed
+by the length of that period, during which these rocks were in a course of
+deposition, consolidation, and metamorphosis. For he supposes them
+originally deposited from water, just as mud, sand, and gravel now are
+accumulating in the ocean&#8217;s bed, and to have enveloped organic beings, as
+similar materials now do. Next the whole were consolidated, so as to form
+the exact prototype of the existing fossiliferous rocks; and finally it
+underwent almost complete fusion, by the slow propagation of internal heat
+upwards, until all the organic contents were obliterated, and a
+crystalline structure was substituted. Nay, according to this theory,
+other systems of rocks, of an analogous character, may have preceded the
+present primary stratified ones, and have been at length entirely melted
+into the unstratified; so that we cannot say when organic life first began
+on the globe. But I will not press this theory, because most of the ablest
+geologists reject it, at least in its full extent. And we have a period
+long enough to confound the imagination, if we take the common view, which
+supposes the non-fossiliferous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span> rocks to have been deposited from water,
+at a temperature too high to admit the existence of organic beings.</p>
+
+<p>We have now gone back to that point in the earth&#8217;s history when a crust
+had begun to form over the shoreless ocean of melted matter, of which we
+have reason to suppose it was then composed. Shall we attempt to trace
+back that history any farther? The light does, indeed, grow dim, and the
+clew more and more uncertain, the farther we recede along the track of the
+earth&#8217;s existence. Still there are some scattered rays that seem to recall
+to us a condition of the earth still earlier than that in which it
+constituted a molten globe. It may have been dissipated into vapor, like a
+comet, or a nebula; and subsequently, by the slow radiation of its heat,
+have been condensed into an opaque, though a melted, incandescent mass.
+Several analogies certainly throw an air of plausibility over this
+hypothesis. And if such was, indeed, the earliest condition of the earth,
+the time requisite to condense it into melted matter must have been longer
+than any other period of its history.</p>
+
+<p>Who, now, at all familiar with the dynamics of geological agencies, shall
+undertake to give an arithmetical expression to the periods that make up
+the world&#8217;s entire history? Not only does the reasoning faculty fail to
+grasp the entire sum, but even imagination, as she flies backwards through
+period after period, tires in the effort, and brings back not even a
+conjectural result. The same feeling does, in fact, come over the mind,
+which she experiences when astronomy has hurried her from world to world,
+from sun to sun, from system to system, from nebula to nebula, and yet she
+seems no nearer to the limits of creation than when she started. We know
+certainly that there are limits; because matter cannot be infinite. But we
+cannot conjecture where they are fixed. We know, also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span> that there was a
+time when this world did not exist, an epoch when its entire mass was
+spoken into existence by the fiat of Jehovah; because the Bible expressly
+declares it. But that epoch is unrevealed. If there is any truth in
+geology, it was certainly more than six thousand years ago. Nay, that
+science carries us as far back into the arcana of time as astronomy does
+into the arcana of space. Neither the distance in the one case, nor the
+duration in the other, can be estimated. But there is a sublime
+inspiration in the effort to grasp the subject; and I see not why there is
+not as much grandeur and high gratification in the idea of vast duration
+as of vast expansion. And I see not why we do not gain as much enlargement
+of our conceptions of the plans of Jehovah respecting the universe in the
+one case as in the other. We cannot but infer, from the pre-Adamic state
+of our world, that it must have subserved other purposes than to sustain
+its present inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>2. In the second place, geology gives us impressive examples of the extent
+of organic life on the globe since its creation.</p>
+
+<p>I shall not contend, with some geologists, that even the primary
+crystalline rocks may once have been filled with organic remains, which
+have been obliterated by heat; and that, in this way, there may have been
+a number of creations of organized beings on the globe, of which no trace
+now remains. I take as the basis of my argument only the relics of animals
+and plants actually found in the rocks. And when one sees mountain masses,
+often of small shells, and spread over wide areas, he is amazed to learn
+how prolific nature has been. What a countless number of vegetables, too,
+must have been required to produce beds of coal from one to fifty feet
+thick, and extending over thousands of square miles, and alternating
+several times with sandstone in the same basin!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span> There is reason to
+believe, too, that the number of animals preserved in the strata bears
+only a small proportion to those which have been utterly destroyed and
+decomposed into their original elements. For example, in the sandstone
+along Connecticut River, the tracks of more than forty species of bipeds
+and quadrupeds have been found most distinctly marked. Some of these
+bipeds must have been of colossal size&mdash;as much as twelve or fifteen feet
+in height. And yet scarcely any other vestige of their existence has been
+discovered. They were the giant rulers of that valley for centuries; but
+they have all vanished. How numerous, then, may have been the softer
+animals of the ancient world, which have not left even a footmark to
+certify their existence to coming generations!</p>
+
+<p>But the facts recently brought to light respecting infusoria and
+polythalamia fill us with the greatest admiration of the extent of organic
+life upon the globe. We have already seen that some of these animals are
+so minute that eight millions of them are found in a space not larger than
+a mustard-seed; and yet they had skeletons of silex, lime, and iron; and,
+of course, these skeletons have been preserved; and, though of the
+smallest size, it requires not less than forty-one billions to make a
+single cubic inch; yet deposits of them, or of species not much larger,
+occur, several feet in thickness, and extending over several square miles.
+Nay, the chalk of Northern Europe, and also of Western Asia, where it
+
+constitutes most of Mount Lebanon, and extends southerly through Palestine
+into Arabia and Egypt, and also deposits in North and South America,
+thousands of miles in extent,&mdash;this rock, I say, is nearly half composed
+of microscopic shells. The o&ouml;lite, also, contains them; and, indeed,
+infusorial remains occur in flint and opal; and, as instruments and
+observations are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span> perfected, more and more of the solid rocks are found to
+have once constituted the framework of animals. It is hardly to be doubted
+that such was the fact with nearly all the limestone on the globe,
+occupying at least a seventh part of its surface. In fact, we seem fast
+coming to regard as sober truth the ancient adage, apparently so
+extravagant&mdash;<i>Omnis calx e vermibus; omne ferrum e vermibus; omnis silex e
+vermibus.</i> Indeed, it is the opinion of so competent a geologist as Dr.
+Mantell that &#8220;probably there is not an atom of the solid materials of the
+globe which has not passed through the complex and wonderful laboratory of
+life.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Wond. of Geology</i>, vol. ii. p. 670.&mdash;What a vast field here opens
+before us to contemplate the far-reaching plans, the benevolence, and the
+wisdom of the Deity!</p>
+
+<p>In the third place, geology shows us that the present system of organic
+life on the globe is but one link of a series, extending very far backward
+and infinitely forward.</p>
+
+<p>Revelation describes only the existing species, leaving to science the
+task and the privilege to lift up the veil that hangs over the past, and
+to disclose other economies that have passed away. How many of them have
+existed we do not certainly know. If, with Agassiz, we characterize them
+by their predominant tribes, we might say that all the period previous to
+the new red sandstone constituted the reign of fishes; from thence to the
+chalk, the reign of reptiles; from thence to the drift, the reign of
+mammifera. But this is a less philosophical view than that of Deshayes,
+who finds five great groups of animals, specifically independent of one
+another. But who will attempt to fix the chronological limits of these
+systems? We can only say that they must have been exceedingly long, if we
+can place any dependence upon existing analogies; and we know that each
+one of them is made up of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> numerous subdivisions, or minor groups, widely,
+though not entirely, different in composition and organic contents. We
+know that the more we examine the whole series, the deeper does our
+conviction become that its commencement runs back far, very far, into the
+depths of past eternity. We know, also, from the joint testimony of
+Scripture and geology, that another change is to pass over the world, to
+prepare it for inhabitants far more elevated than those now living upon
+it, and in possession of perfect holiness and perfect happiness. And it
+may be it will experience far greater changes, adapting it for higher and
+higher grades of being, through periods of duration to which we can assign
+no limits. O, what a vast chain of being is here spread out before the
+imagination, reaching immeasurably far into the depths of the eternity
+which is past, and into the eternity which is to come! What a field for
+the display of God&#8217;s infinite perfections! What a vista does it open to us
+into the vast plans and purposes of Jehovah!</p>
+
+<p>In the fourth place, geology reveals to us a curious series of
+improvements in the condition of worlds, as they pass through successive
+changes.</p>
+
+<p>If the earth began its existence in the state of vapor, we can hardly
+imagine it in that state capable of sustaining any organic natures, formed
+upon the general type of those now existing. Nor, when the vapor was
+condensed into a molten globe, could such natures inhabit it, till a crust
+had formed over its surface, and the heat had been so reduced as not to
+decompose animals and plants. Even then, the natures placed upon it must
+have been of a peculiar and low type of organization, capable of enduring
+the high temperature and catastrophes which would destroy those of more
+delicate and complicated organization. But gradually did the temperature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span>
+diminish, while aqueous and atmospheric agencies were accumulating a
+deeper and a richer soil, so that the next change of inhabitants would
+allow natures of a higher organization and a denser population to occupy
+the surface. Their remains, buried in the earth, would increase the
+quantity of carbonate of lime in a form available for the use of animals
+and plants; that is, lime would gradually be eliminated, by plants and
+animals, from its more concealed combinations in the crystalline rocks,
+and be converted into carbonates, sulphates, and humates. A larger amount
+of organic matter would also be converted into humus. Now, limestone soils
+are of all others most favorable to vegetation, when there is a sufficient
+supply of organic matter. Hence every successive change becomes more and
+more adapted for animals and plants, because the lime and the organic
+matter in a state favorable for their support have been increasing; and
+the present state of the surface is more favorable than any conditions
+which have preceded it, and accordingly it is peopled with more perfect
+and more numerous organic natures. Can we doubt but that, if another
+change passes over the earth, this same great principle of progressive
+improvement will be manifested in the renovated world? I am not prepared
+to maintain, however, that this future change will be, like the past ones,
+an improvement as to soil and climate; for the change, as Scripture
+teaches, will be accomplished by fire; and so different will be the state
+of existence in the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, that we
+cannot say how far the present system of nature will be introduced. But
+that it will be an improved condition, we can hardly doubt, if we infer
+any thing from the splendid figures by which it is described in the Bible,
+and from the character of those who are to be its denizens.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the facts of modern astronomy impress us with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span> idea that this
+principle of progress may extend to other worlds. Some of these are in a
+gaseous state, some condensed into fiery liquid globes, some covered with
+a crust of solidified volcanic matter, and some surrounded by a liquid,
+like water. Do not these facts justify the supposition, that the changes
+which our earth has undergone are merely a single example of a great
+principle in God&#8217;s government of the natural world? If so, it presents the
+divine wisdom in an interesting aspect. We see the Deity employing the
+same matter for different purposes. Instead of creating it for one single
+economy of organic beings, he seems to have made it the theatre for the
+display of his benevolence through successive periods; but at the same
+time not losing sight of the highest use he intended to make of it, by the
+introduction of rational and immortal natures upon it. Human wisdom would
+have pronounced this impossible; but divine wisdom, prompted by divine
+benevolence, could accomplish it.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, geology discloses to us chemical change as a great animating,
+controlling, and conservative principle of the material universe.</p>
+
+<p>When Newton brought to light the principle of gravitation, and showed how
+it controls and keeps in harmonious movement the heavenly bodies, he
+developed the great mechanical power by which the universe is governed.
+And this power was supposed for a long time to be superior to all others.
+But geology has brought out a second great controlling and conservative
+agency,&mdash;the chemical power,&mdash;&#8220;the second right hand of the Creator,&#8221; as
+Dr. McCulloch expressively calls it. Suppose matter under the control of
+gravity, and let it be balanced by a centrifugal force. You have, indeed,
+harmonious motions among the celestial bodies, and, if no disturbing cause
+come in, you have endless motion. But until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> you introduce chemical
+agencies, every thing in the individual worlds would be compacted by
+gravity into one dead mass of matter, destined to no resurrection. But let
+chemical agencies leaven that mass, let affinity and cohesion commence
+their segregating processes, and constant motion and change would follow,
+with a thousand new and splendid forms. Especially when the Deity had
+infused the living principle into portions of that matter, and put
+chemistry, and her handmaid electricity, under the control of the vital
+power, would these worlds teem with animation, and countless exhibitions
+of beauty.</p>
+
+<p>And in all known worlds, these chemical changes are at work unceasingly.
+We know not whether those worlds are all inhabited, but we have evidence
+that all are undergoing the transmutations of chemistry; not on their
+surface merely, but in their deep interior. The consequence is, universal
+change; change often upon a vast scale; change extending through thousands
+and millions of years, and through the entire mass of immense worlds. We
+have glanced, in these lectures, at the most important of those changes
+which this world has undergone, and we have seen it to be almost
+universal. We have found that the entire crust of the globe, many miles in
+thickness, and probably to its centre, has been dissolved by heat, and
+much of it also by water; that a large part of it, at least, has, by the
+same chemistry, been made to constitute portions of the animal frame;
+that, even now, much of its interior is held in igneous solution, and that
+probably the time was when its entire mass was a molten, self-luminous
+world. Indeed, the conjecture is not without some foundation, which
+carries back this chemical action one step farther, and makes the world
+originally a diffused mass of nebula.</p>
+
+<p>At this point of the argument, geology appeals to astronomy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span> to show how
+widely this principle of chemical change has operated, and still operates,
+in the universe. We look first at the nebul&aelig;; for here we probably find
+matter in its most chaotic and attenuated form, constituting
+self-luminous, diffused masses of vapor. In some of them, however, that
+matter has begun to condense, doubtless by the radiation of its heat. In
+the comets, we find probably similar matter, some of it still farther
+advanced in the process of condensation, so that perhaps a nearly solid
+nucleus may exist. In the sun and fixed stars, the condensation has gone
+on so far that cohesive attraction begins to operate, the latent heat of
+the vapor is extricated, and melted luminous worlds are the result. Around
+them, however, there probably still floats a wide atmosphere of the more
+elastic materials, which the heat dissipates, of which the zodiacal light,
+perhaps, furnishes us with an example. The nebulosity which surrounds the
+asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, and Astrea, renders it probable
+that, though they have advanced so far in the process of refrigeration as
+to become opaque, they may still retain heat enough to dissipate much of
+their substance. Still farther advanced towards the condition of a
+habitable world is the moon; and yet volcanic desolation covers its
+surface. Not improbably Jupiter is nearly surrounded with a fluid like
+water, and Saturn by a fluid lighter than water&mdash;being still farther
+advanced towards the condition of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>I acknowledge that these are but slight glimpses of the geology and
+chemistry of other worlds. And yet, taken in connection with the
+geological history of our own globe, do they not furnish us with some
+extremely probable examples of those changes to which our earth has been
+subject? They show us that worlds may exist in the form of vapor, and that
+some are actually at this time in the various conditions through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span> which
+geology supposes this world to have passed. Do we not, in these examples,
+gather strong intimations of a great law of chemical change in the
+universe? Gaseous matter, so far as we know, appears to have been the
+earliest state of the universe; and then, by the agency of heat, it passes
+through the successive changes of liquid and solid, which have been
+described.</p>
+
+<p>The chemical changes that take place on the earth, under our immediate
+cognizance, through the agency of water, usually proceed, under favorable
+circumstances, in a cycle; that is, the substance, after passing through a
+series of changes, returns at length into the same condition from which it
+started. Thus aqueous vapor, by the loss of heat, is first converted into
+water, next into ice, and then, by the access of heat, into water again,
+and at last into vapor. The question naturally arises, whether those
+mutations, through which worlds are passing, may not form a similar cycle.
+We are able to trace them through several steps, from gaseous to liquid,
+and from the liquid to the solid; and we are assured, on the testimony of
+Scripture, that the next change of the earth will be from solid to liquid.
+And in those stars which in past ages have suddenly broken forth with
+remarkable splendor, and then disappeared, may we not have examples of
+other worlds burnt up,&mdash;not annihilated,&mdash;but deluged by fire, and either
+dissipated or again cooled? What changes, if any, will succeed the final
+conflagration of the globe, neither science nor revelation informs us.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, if the laws of nature respecting heat are not entirely altered, other
+changes must follow; and we have seen, in a former lecture, that those
+changes are perfectly consistent with our ideas of heaven, and that they
+may, in fact, enhance the happiness of heaven. They may go on forever; in
+which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span> case, we can hardly doubt but they would form a cycle, though how
+wide the circuit we cannot conjecture; or they may, at least, reach an
+unchanging state. I confess, however, that the idea of perpetual change
+corresponds best with the analogies of the existing universe; and in
+eternity, as well as in time, it may form an essential element of
+happiness.</p>
+
+<p>In this world, too, this unceasing change, though it presents at first
+view a strong tendency to ruin, is, in fact, the grand conservative
+principle of material things. In a world of life and motion like ours, it
+is impossible that bodies, especially organic bodies, should not be
+sometimes subject to violent disarrangements and destruction from the
+mechanical agencies which exist; and were no chemical changes possible,
+ultimate and irremediable ruin must be the result. But the chemical
+powers, inherent in matter, soon bring forth new forms of beauty from the
+ruins; and, in fact, throughout all nature, the process of renovation
+usually counterbalances that of destruction; and thus far, indeed, the
+former has done more than this; for every time nature has changed her
+dress in past ages, she has put on more lovely robes, and a fresher
+countenance. Can we doubt that this same principle of change, operating,
+as it does, on a stupendous scale through the universe, is one of the
+great means of its preservation? It seems, indeed, paradoxical to say that
+instability is the basis of stability. But I see not why it is not
+literally true; and I can hardly doubt but this principle is superior to
+the laws of gravity&mdash;superior to every other law, in fact, for giving
+permanence and security to the universe.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that, in the case of man, connected as diminution and decay are
+with the curse denounced on sin, they assume, in his view, a melancholy
+aspect; and the perishable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span> nature of all created things has ever been
+viewed by the sentimentalist with sad emotions.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;What does not fade? The tower that long had stood<br />
+The crush of thunder, and the warring winds,<br />
+Shook by the slow but sure destroyer Time,<br />
+Now hangs in doubtful ruins o&#8217;er its base;<br />
+And flinty pyramids and walls of brass<br />
+Descend; the Babylonian spires are sunk;<br />
+Achaia, Rome, and Egypt moulder down.<br />
+Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones;<br />
+And tottering empires rush by their own weight.<br />
+This huge rotundity we tread grows old,<br />
+And all those worlds that roll around the sun.<br />
+The sun himself shall die, and ancient night<br />
+Again involve the desolate abyss.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Akenside.</i></p>
+
+<p>If we turn now our thoughts away from man&#8217;s dissolution, and think how
+speedily chemical power will raise nature out of her grave, in renovated
+and increased beauty, this universal tendency to decay puts on the aspect
+of a glorious transformation. We connect the changes around us with those
+which have taken place in the great bodies of the universe; we see them
+all to be but parts of a far-reaching plan of the Deity, by which the
+stability of the world is maintained, and its progressive improvement
+secured. When we look forward, fancy kindles at the developments of divine
+power, wisdom, and benevolence which will in this manner be made in the
+round of eternal ages. We see that what our ignorance had mistaken for a
+defect in nature is, in fact, a great conservative principle of the
+universe, which Newton did not discover because geology had not yet
+unfolded her record.</p>
+
+<p>Such are the developments of the divine character and plans unfolded to us
+by geology. Compare them now with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span> the views which have hitherto
+prevailed. The common opinion has been, and still, indeed, is, that about
+six thousand years ago this earth, and, in fact, the whole material
+universe, were spoken into existence in a moment of time; and that, in a
+few thousand more, they will, by a similar fiat, be swept from existence,
+and be no more. On the other hand, geology places the time when the matter
+of the universe was created out of nothing at an epoch indefinitely but
+immensely remote. Since that epoch, this matter has passed through a
+multitude of changes, and been the seat of numerous systems of organic
+life, unlike one another, yet all linked together into one great system by
+a most perfect unity; each minor system being most beautifully adapted to
+its place in the great chain, and yet each successive link becoming more
+and more perfect. Nor does geology admit that any evidence exists of the
+future annihilation of the material universe; but rather of other changes,
+by which new and brighter displays of divine wisdom and benevolence shall
+be brought out, it may be in endless succession. Geology is not, indeed,
+insensible to the displays of the divine character which are exhibited on
+the present theatre of the world. Indeed, she distinctly recognizes the
+act which is now passing as the most perfect of all. Yet this scene of the
+great drama she regards as only one of the units of a similar series of
+changes that have gone by or will hereafter come; the chain stretching so
+far into the eternity that is past and the eternity that is to come, that
+the extremities are lost to mortal vision.</p>
+
+<p>Do any shrink back from these immense conclusions, because they so much
+surpass the views they have been accustomed to entertain respecting the
+beginning and the end of the material universe? But why should they be
+unwilling to have geology liberalize their minds as much in respect to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span>
+duration as astronomy has done in respect to space? Perhaps it is a
+lingering fear that the geological views conflict with revelation. Such
+fears formerly kept back many from giving up their souls to the noble
+truths of astronomy. But they learnt, at length, that astronomy merely
+illustrates, and does not oppose, revelation. It showed men how to
+understand certain passages of sacred writ respecting the earth and
+heavenly bodies which they had before misinterpreted. Just so is it with
+geology. There is no collision between its statements and revelation. It
+only enables us more correctly to interpret some portions of the Bible;
+and then, when we have admitted the new interpretation, it brings a flood
+of light upon the plans and attributes of Jehovah. Geology, therefore,
+should be viewed, as it really is, the auxiliary both of natural and
+revealed religion. And when its religious relations are fully understood,
+theology, I doubt not, will be as anxious to cultivate its alliance as she
+has been fearful of it in days past.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall it any longer be said,&#8221; remarks Dr. Buckland, &#8220;that a science which
+unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God, can
+reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient auxiliary
+and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be whom timidity, or
+prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its evidence; who
+are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the magnitude and extent, of
+the views which geology forces on their attention; and who would rather
+have kept closed the volume of witness which has been sealed up for ages
+beneath the surface of the earth than to impose on the student in natural
+theology the duty of studying its contents&mdash;a duty in which, for lack of
+experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or laborious task, but which,
+by those engaged in it, is found to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span> be a rational, and righteous, and
+delightful exercise of the highest faculties in multiplying the evidence
+of the existence, and attributes, and providence of God. The alarm,
+however, which was excited by the novelty of its first discoveries, has
+well nigh passed away; and those to whom it has been permitted to be the
+humble instruments of their promulgation, and who have steadily
+persevered, under the firm conviction that &#8216;truth can never be opposed to
+truth,&#8217; and that the works of God, when rightly understood, and viewed in
+their true relations, and from a right position, would at length be found
+to be in perfect accordance with his word, are now receiving their high
+reward in finding difficulties vanish, objections gradually withdrawn, and
+in seeing the evidences of geology admitted into the list of witnesses to
+the truth of the great fundamental doctrines of theology.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Bridgewater
+Treatise</i>, vol. i. p. 593.</p>
+
+<p>Such, then, in conclusion of the subject, is the religion of geology. It
+has been described as a region divided between the barren mountains of
+scepticism and the putrid fens and quagmires of infidelity and atheism;
+producing only a gloomy and a poisonous vegetation; covered with fogs, and
+swept over by pestilential blasts. But this report was made by those who
+saw it at a distance. We have found it to be a land abounding in rich
+landscapes, warmed by a bright sun, blest with a balmy atmosphere, covered
+by noble forests and sweet flowers, with fruits savory and healthful. We
+have ascended its lofty mountains, and there have we been greeted with
+prospects of surpassing loveliness and overwhelming sublimity. In short,
+nowhere in the whole world of science do we find regions where more of the
+Deity is seen in his works. To him whose heart is warmed by true piety,
+and whose mind has broken the narrow shell of prejudice, and can grasp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span>
+noble thoughts, these are delightful fields through which to wander. More
+and more they must become the favorite haunts of such hearts and such
+minds. For there do views open upon the soul, respecting the character and
+plans of the Deity, as large and refreshing as those which astronomy
+presents. Nay, in their practical bearing, these views are far more
+important. Mechanical philosophy introduces an unbending and unvarying law
+between the Creator and his works; but geology unveils his providential
+hand, cutting asunder that law at intervals, and planting the seeds of a
+new economy upon a renovated world. We thus seem to be brought into near
+communion with the infinite mind. We are prepared to listen to his voice
+when it speaks in revelation. We recognize his guiding and sustaining
+agency at every step of our pilgrimage. And we await in confident hope and
+joyful anticipation those sublime manifestations of his character and
+plans, and those higher enjoyments which will greet the pure soul in the
+round of eternal ages.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LECTURE_XIV" id="LECTURE_XIV"></a>LECTURE XIV.</h2>
+<p class="center"><span class="big">SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH.</span></p>
+
+<p>The connection between science and religion has ever been a subject of
+deep interest to enlightened and reflecting minds. Too often, however, up
+to the present time, has the theologian, on the one hand, looked with
+jealousy upon science, fearful that its influence was hurtful to the cause
+of true religion; while, on the other hand, the philosopher, in the pride
+of a sceptical spirit, has scorned an alliance between science and
+theology, and even fancied many a discrepancy. Both these opinions are
+erroneous; and disastrously have they operated, as well upon science as
+upon religion. The position which I take, and which I shall endeavor to
+maintain, is, that <i>scientific truth, rightly understood, is religious
+truth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The proposition may be misunderstood at its first announcement, but I
+hope, ere its examination be finished, to satisfy you that it is true; and
+if so, that it ought to reconcile religion to science, and science to
+religion.</p>
+
+<p>In arriving at correct conclusions concerning this statement, much will
+depend on the meaning which we attach to the phrase <i>religious truth</i>.
+Religion is properly defined to be piety towards God. This piety implies
+two things: first, a correct knowledge of God; and secondly, the exercise
+of proper affections in view of that knowledge. The former constitutes the
+theoretic part of religion, and is investigated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> solely by the
+understanding. The latter constitutes the practical part of religion, and
+depends much upon the will, the heart, or the moral powers of man. All
+truth, therefore, which illustrates the divine character or government, or
+which tends to produce right affections towards God, is properly
+denominated religious truth. If, then, I can show that all scientific
+truth, rightly understood, has one or both of these effects, it will
+follow that it is strictly religious truth.</p>
+
+<p>Scientific truth is but another name for the laws of nature. And a law of
+nature is merely the uniform mode in which the Deity operates in the
+created universe. It follows, then, that science is only a history of the
+divine operations in matter and mind.</p>
+
+<p>In order to avoid mistake, we must make a distinction between the
+principles of science, and the application of those principles to the
+useful arts of life. The principles themselves are an illustration of the
+divine wisdom and benevolence, but their application to the arts
+illustrates the ingenuity and wisdom of man. At the most, therefore, the
+latter only indirectly and remotely exhibits the character of the Deity,
+while the former directly shows forth his perfections.</p>
+
+<p>I now proceed to establish my general proposition, by showing, in the
+first place, that <i>all scientific truth is adapted to prove the existence
+or to illustrate the perfections of the Deity</i>.</p>
+
+<p>After all that has been written on the subject of natural theology, by
+such men as Newintyt, Ray, Derham, Wollaston, Clarke, Butler, Tucker,
+Paley, Chalmers, Crombie, Brown, Brougham, Harris, M&#8217;Cosh, and the authors
+of the Bridgewater Treatises, I need not surely go into details to prove
+that science in general is a great storehouse of facts to illustrate the
+divine perfections and government. It is, indeed, a vast repository, from
+which materials have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span> drawn on which to build the argument for the
+divine existence and character. Efforts have been made, it is true, in
+modern times, to show that the whole argument from design is inconclusive.
+It is said, that though the operations of nature seem to show design and
+contrivance, they need no higher powers than those that exist in nature
+itself. They do not prove the existence of an independent personal agent,
+separate from the material world. Animals, and even plants, possess an
+inherent power of adapting themselves to circumstances; and may not a
+higher exercise of this same power explain all the operations of nature
+without any other Deity?</p>
+
+<p>This argument appears to me to be utterly set aside by the following
+considerations: In the first place, there is no power inherent in
+vegetable or animal natures which can properly be called the power of
+contrivance and design, except so far as it exists in their minds. All
+other examples show merely the operation of impulse, or instinct, and will
+not at all explain that wide-reaching contrivance and design which cause
+all the operations of nature to conspire to certain great results, and to
+constitute one, and only one, great system. In the second place, the
+operations of intellect furnish us with the only examples in nature of
+that kind of contrivance and design which must have arranged and adapted
+the parts of the universe. But in the third place, no intellect, within
+our knowledge, is capacious enough to have contrived and arranged the
+universe. Indeed, to the capacity of that mind which could have done this
+we can assign no limits, and, therefore, infer it to be infinite. In other
+words, we infer the existence of the Deity. In the fourth place, the whole
+force of this argument rests upon the supposed uniformity of nature. For
+no one imagines that there exists at present, in nature, any power of
+contrivance and design sufficient to work a miracle; in other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span> words, to
+introduce new races of animals and plants. &#8220;Could this uniformity once be
+broken up,&#8221; says an ingenious expositor of this atheistic argument, &#8220;could
+this rigid order be once infringed for a good and manifest reason, it
+would change the whole face of the argument. Could we see the sun stand
+still in heaven, that the wicked might be overthrown, then should we be
+assured of a personal power with a distinct will, whose agents and
+ministers these laws were. Such an event would be a miracle. But if such
+events have happened, they are not a part of nature; it is not nature that
+tells us of them, and it is only with her that we are at present
+concerned.&#8221;&mdash;<i>President Hopkins, Quarterly Observer</i>, Oct. 1833, p. 309.</p>
+
+<p>Geology, however, does reveal to us miracles of stupendous, import,
+miracles of creation, which infinite power and wisdom alone could have
+produced. Hence, if the testimony of that science be admitted, this
+reasoning can no longer stand the test of examination, and it must be
+acknowledged that the argument for God&#8217;s existence from design, which has
+ever been so satisfactory to every mind not clouded by metaphysics, is
+left standing on an immovable foundation.</p>
+
+<p>To return to the point from which we started: it is not necessary, I say,
+to go into a detailed examination of each particular science, and show how
+its principles prove and illustrate the being and attributes of the Deity,
+for the work has already been done more ably and thoroughly than I can do
+it, and admitted by all, save the few who reject the argument from design
+altogether. There are a few sciences, however, which have been hitherto
+chiefly passed by, because they were not supposed capable of throwing any
+light of consequence upon theology. Let us see whether these sciences are
+as barren of religious interest as has been supposed.</p>
+
+<p>Geology is a branch of knowledge, which, a few years ago,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span> would have been
+at once selected as not only destitute of any important religious
+applications, but as of a positively injurious tendency; and even now,
+such is the feeling probably of a majority of the religious world. True,
+it touches religion, natural and revealed, at many points; but so novel
+and startling are its conclusions, that they are thought to unsettle more
+minds than they confirm. They fall in with many of the views of
+scepticism, and especially confirm its doubts concerning the age of the
+world, and compel the religious man to give up long-cherished opinions
+upon this point, and on other collateral subjects. But we have gone into a
+careful examination of the religious applications of this science, and
+have we not found it most fertile in its illustrations both of natural and
+revealed religion? Let us just recapitulate the conclusions at which we
+have arrived.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, geology furnishes important illustrations of revealed
+religion. It confirms the statement that the present continents of our
+globe were once, and for an indefinite time, beneath the ocean, and that
+they were subsequently lifted above the waters by internal agencies. It
+agrees with revelation in making water and heat the two great agents of
+geological change upon and within the earth, and that the work of
+creation, after the production of matter, was progressive. It shows us
+equally with revelation, that the existing races of animals and plants on
+the globe were created at a comparatively recent epoch, and that man
+commenced his existence not more than six thousand years ago. It shows us,
+also, that the earth contains within itself the volcanic agency necessary
+for its future destruction by combustion, as described in the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>But, perhaps, the most important illustration of revealed truth, which
+geology affords, is the light which it casts upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span> certain passages of the
+Bible relating to the creation. As those texts which represent the earth
+as immovable, and the heavenly bodies as moving diurnally around it, were
+not rightly understood, until astronomy had discovered the true theory of
+the solar system, so those passages which relate to the period of the
+creation of the universe, the introduction of death into the world, and
+the extent and operation of the deluge, were misinterpreted till geology
+disclosed their true meaning. It is still customary, indeed, to speak of
+geology and revelation as in collision with each other on these subjects;
+but this is a false view of the case. Revelation is illustrated, not
+opposed, by geology. Who thinks, at this day, of any discrepancy between
+astronomy and revelation? And yet, two hundred years ago, the evidence of
+such discrepancy was far more striking than any which can now be offered
+to show geology at variance with the Scriptures. We ought, therefore, to
+look upon that science as illustrating, instead of opposing, the
+Scriptures.</p>
+
+<p>Having once admitted the conclusions of geology as to the great age of the
+world, and a flood of light is shed upon some of the most difficult points
+both of natural and revealed religion. It shows the occurrence of numerous
+changes on the globe which nothing but the power of God could have
+produced, and which in fact were most striking and stupendous miracles.
+Hence the arguments which have so long been employed to show that the
+world is eternal are rendered nugatory; for if we can point to epochs when
+entire races of animals and plants began to exist on the globe, we prove
+the agency of a Deity quite as strikingly as if we could show the moment
+when the matter of the world was summoned into existence out of nothing.
+In the same manner, also, we silence the argument against the giving of a
+revelation from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span> heaven, as well as the miracles by which it is
+substantiated, on the ground that we have no example of a special
+interference with the established course of nature. Here we have
+interpositions long anterior to man&#8217;s existence, as well as by his
+creation, which take away all improbability from those which are implied
+in a revelation. We hence likewise establish the doctrine of a special
+providence over the world&mdash;a doctrine proved with great difficulty by any
+other reasoning of natural theology.</p>
+
+<p>Still more abundant is the evidence derived from geology of the divine
+benevolence. And this evidence comes mostly from the operations and final
+effect of the most desolating agencies, heretofore regarded as a proof of
+malevolence, or, at least, of vindictive justice; and we may reasonably
+infer, that could we look through the whole system of divine government,
+we should find that all evil is only a necessary means of the greatest
+good.</p>
+
+<p>No one can examine existing nature without being convinced that all its
+parts and operations belong to one great system. Geology makes other
+economies of wide extent to pass before us, opening a vista indefinitely
+backward into the hoary past; and it is gratifying to witness that same
+unity of design pervading all preceding periods of the world&#8217;s history,
+linking the whole into one mighty scheme, worthy its infinite Contriver.</p>
+
+<p>How much, also, does this science enlarge our conceptions of the plans and
+operations of Jehovah! We had been accustomed to limit our views of the
+creative agency of God to the few thousand years of man&#8217;s existence, and
+to anticipate the destruction of the material universe in a few thousand
+years more. But geology makes the period of man&#8217;s existence on the globe
+only one short link of a chain of revolutions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span> which preceded his
+existence, and which reaches forward immeasurably far into the future. We
+see the same matter in the hands of infinite wisdom, and by means of the
+great conservative principle of chemical change, passing through a
+multitude of stupendous revolutions, sustaining countless and varied forms
+of organic life, and presenting an almost illimitable panorama of the
+plans of an infinite God.</p>
+
+<p>If such is the fruit which geology pours into the lap of religion, how
+misunderstood have been its principles! In many a mind there is still an
+anxious fear lest its discoveries should prove unfavorable to religion;
+and they would feel greatly relieved could they only be assured that no
+influence injurious to piety would emanate from that science. But we can
+give them far more than this assurance. We can draw from this science more
+to illustrate and confirm religion than from any other; and we believe
+that the history of the past justifies the general conclusion, that those
+sciences whose early developments excited most apprehensions of a
+collision with religion, have ultimately furnished the most abundant
+illustrations of its principles.</p>
+
+<p>Another science regarded as barren of religious applications, and even as
+sometimes positively injurious, is mathematics. Its principles are,
+indeed, of so abstruse a nature, that it is not easy to frame out of them
+a religious argument that is capable of popular illustration. But, in
+fact, mathematical laws form the basis of nearly all the operations of
+nature. They constitute, as it were, the very framework of the material
+world. When we look up to the heavenly bodies, we see them directed and
+controlled, along with the earth, by those laws, which vary not, by an
+iota, from century to century. The infinity of changes, which are going on
+in the constitution of bodies upon and within the earth, chemistry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span>
+reduces to mathematical laws. So far as organic operations depend upon
+chemical changes,&mdash;and this is very far,&mdash;mathematics is the controlling
+power. I will not say, that life and intellect are in a strict sense under
+the guidance of mathematics; and yet I doubt not that their operations are
+limited and controlled by its principles. Confident am I that atmospheric
+changes, apparently quite as anomalous and irregular as the movements of
+the vital and intellectual principles, rest on mathematics as certainly as
+do the revolutions of the heavenly bodies.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, then, that this science forms the very foundation of all
+arguments for Theism, from the arrangements and operations of the material
+universe. We do, indeed, neglect the foundation, and point only to the
+superstructure, when we state these arguments. But suppose mathematical
+laws to be at once struck from existence, and what a hideous chaos would
+the universe present! What then would become of the marks of design and
+unity in nature, and of the Theist&#8217;s argument for the being of a God?</p>
+
+<p>But mathematical principles furnish several interesting illustrations of
+truth, of no small importance. In a former lecture, we have seen how the
+doctrine of miracles stands forth completely vindicated by an appeal to
+mathematical laws; how, in fact, they might have formed a part of the
+original plan of the universe, when first it was conceived in the divine
+mind, and how their occurrence may be as much the result of a fixed law as
+the most common operations of nature; so that in this way all
+improbability of their occurrence, on the ground that nature is constant,
+is removed. These views are illustrated in that singular, yet original
+work of Professor Babbage, called the &#8220;Ninth Bridgewater Treatise,&#8221; a work
+written, it is true, in part, under the influence of exasperated feelings,
+but yet full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span> of original and ingenious suggestions. But these views have
+been so fully presented in the Lecture on Special and Miraculous
+Providence, and in that upon the Telegraphic System of the Universe, that
+they need not here be repeated.</p>
+
+<p>Mathematics, also, aids our conceptions of truths of religion difficult or
+impossible, from their nature, of being understood by finite beings. All
+the attributes of the Deity, being infinite, are of this description. But
+it seems to me that the contemplation of a mathematical series, either
+increasing or decreasing, gives us the strongest apprehension of infinity
+which we can attain. It puts into our hands a thread by which we can find
+our way, as far as our powers will carry us, towards infinity. True, after
+we have followed the series till the mind stops exhausted, we are no
+nearer infinity than when we started; yet we do get most deeply impressed
+with the unfathomableness of the abyss that separates the finite from the
+infinite.</p>
+
+<p>To many minds all statements of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity
+appear so absurd and contradictory as to be incapable of belief. Yet let
+it be stated to a man, for the first time, that two lines may approach
+each other forever without meeting, and it must appear equally absurd. But
+after you have demonstrated to him the properties of the hyperbola and its
+asymptote, the apparent absurdity vanishes. So, when the theologian has
+stated, that by the divine unity he means only a numerical unity,&mdash;in
+other words, that there is but one Supreme Being, and that the three
+persons of the Godhead are one in this sense, and three only in those
+respects not inconsistent with this unity,&mdash;every philosophical mind,
+whether it admits that the Scriptures teach this doctrine or not, must see
+that there is no absurdity or contradiction in it. And thus it may happen,
+that the solution of a man&#8217;s difficulties on this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span> subject may come from a
+proposition of conic sections, as in fact we know to have been the case.</p>
+
+<p>It is said, however, that mathematicians have been unusually prone to
+scepticism concerning religious truth. If it be so, it probably originates
+from the absurd attempt to apply mathematical reasoning to moral subjects;
+or, rather, the devotees of this science often become so attached to its
+demonstrations, that they will not admit any evidence of a less certain
+character. They do not realize the total difference between moral and
+mathematical reasonings, and absurdly endeavor to stretch religion on the
+Procrustean bed of mathematics. No wonder they become sceptics. But the
+fault is in themselves, not in this science, whose natural tendencies,
+upon a pure and exalted mind, are favorable to religion, because its
+principles illustrate religion.</p>
+
+<p>There are several other sciences, whose earlier developments were supposed
+for a time to be unfavorable to religion; and hence has originated a
+ground of apprehension respecting science generally. When the Copernican
+system of astronomy was introduced, it was thought impossible ever to
+reconcile it to the plain declarations of Scripture; and hence at least
+one venerable astronomer was obliged to recant that system upon his knees.
+Similar fears of collision between science and revelation were excited
+when chemistry announced that the main part of the earth has already been
+oxidized, and, therefore, could not hereafter be literally burnt. Because
+some physiologists have been materialists, it has been inferred that
+physiology was favorable to materialism. But it is now found that they
+were materialists in spite of physiology, rather than from a correct
+interpretation of its facts.</p>
+
+<p>Strong apprehensions have also been excited respecting phrenology and
+mesmerism. And, indeed, in their present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span> aspect, these sciences are
+probably made to exert a more unfriendly influence upon vital religion
+than any other. Those who profess to understand and teach them have been,
+for the most part, decided opponents of special providence and special
+grace, and many of them materialists. But this is not because there are
+any special grounds for such opinions in phrenology or mesmerism. The
+latter branch, indeed, affords such decided proofs of immaterialism, as to
+have led several able materialists to change their views. Nor does
+phrenology afford any stronger proof that law governs the natural world,
+than do the other sciences. But when a man who is sceptical becomes deeply
+interested in any branch of knowledge, and fancies himself to be an oracle
+respecting it, he will torture its principles till they are made to give
+testimony in favor of his previous sceptical views, although, in fact, the
+tones are as unnatural as those of ventriloquism, and as deceptive. When
+true philosophy shall at length determine what are the genuine principles
+of phrenology and mesmerism, we can judge of their bearing upon religion;
+but the history of other sciences shows us that we need have no fears of
+any collision, when the whole subject is brought fairly into the daylight.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the whole, every part of science, which has been supposed, by the
+fears of friends or malice of foes, to conflict with religion, has been
+found, at length, when fully understood, to be in perfect harmony with its
+principles, and even to illustrate them. It is high time, therefore, for
+the friends of religion to cease fearing any injury to the cause of
+religion from science; and high time, also, for the enemies of religion to
+cease expecting any such collision.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion of this argument, we may safely challenge any one to point
+out a single principle of science which does<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span> not in some way illustrate
+the perfections of the Deity; and if he cannot, scientific truth may be
+appropriately called religious truth, especially since such illustrations
+are the highest use to which science can be applied. It is no drawback on
+the argument because so few make this use of science, nor because some
+attempt to array science against religion; for this only shows how men may
+neglect the most important use to which science can be applied, or how
+they can pervert the richest gifts.</p>
+
+<p>I derive a second argument in support of the general position, that
+scientific truth is religious truth, from the fact that <i>it will survive
+the present world, and its examination become a part of the employments
+and enjoyments of heaven</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The Scriptures are, indeed, sparing in their details of the specific
+employments of the heavenly world, except so far as worship and praise are
+concerned. But that worship will undoubtedly be the spontaneous impulse of
+the heart, (as it is in this world when acceptable,) in view of some
+manifestations of the divine character. Accordingly, the first sentence of
+the future song of Moses and the Lamb, as the saints stand with the harps
+of God upon the sea of glass, is, <i>Great and marvellous are thy works,
+Lord God Almighty.</i> The works of God, then, will be studied in the future
+world; and what is that but the study of the sciences? It is, indeed, said
+by the apostle, that <i>whether there be tongues, they shall cease</i>, [that
+is, in a future world;] <i>whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
+away</i>; and hence it has sometimes been inferred that all the knowledge
+which we acquire in this world will disappear with this world. But this
+cannot be the meaning of the passage, for in a variety of places the Bible
+represents both the righteous and wicked in another world as conscious of
+what took place on earth; and, unless the nature of the mind be changed
+at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span> death, it is not possible to conceive that the knowledge we acquire
+here should be lost. This passage may refer to one of those gifts of
+inspiration peculiar to apostolic times, called by the sacred writer <i>the
+word of knowledge</i>. But more probably he meant to teach that, so much
+brighter and clearer will be the disclosures of another world, that most
+of our present knowledge will be eclipsed and forgotten. But this does not
+imply that our future knowledge will be essentially different in nature
+from that which we acquire on earth. The grand difference is, that now <i>we
+see through a glass darkly, but then face to face</i>.</p>
+
+<p>We can, also, see why some branches of science cultivated on earth should
+be very much modified in a future world. There are several, for instance,
+dependent mainly upon the present organic constitution of nature; and of
+such branches only the general principles can survive the destruction of
+the existing framework of animals and plants. Take, for an example,
+anatomy and physiology. We believe, indeed, that the new earth, wherein
+dwelleth righteousness, will be material, and that the bodies of men will
+also be material. But even though these bodies should be organized, we
+learn from the Scriptures that this organization will be very different
+from our present bodies. <i>They</i>, says Christ, <i>who shall be accounted
+worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither
+marry nor are given in marriage, neither can they die any more; for they
+are equal unto the angels.</i> Paul&#8217;s vivid description of the future
+spiritual body leaves the impression on the mind that it must be very
+dissimilar to our present bodies. He does not attempt to define the
+spiritual body, probably because we could not understand the definition,
+since it would be so unlike any thing on earth. He represents it as
+incorruptible, powerful, and glorious,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span> entirely in contrast with our
+present bodies, and declares that it is not flesh and blood, and that it
+is not organized like our present bodies.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, then, that we have no certain evidence that the future spiritual
+body will be organized; and in a former lecture we have seen that it is
+
+not necessary to suppose it endowed with organs. If not, it is obvious
+that the sciences of anatomy and physiology can have no existence in a
+future world, except in the memory. On the other hand, however, there are
+some things in Paul&#8217;s description of the future body that make it quite
+probable that its organization will be much more exquisite than any thing
+in existence on earth. He represents it as springing from our present
+bodies as a germ from a seed; and this would seem to imply organization;
+though we must not infer too much from a mere rhetorical similitude. But
+he also represents the spiritual body as far transcending the natural body
+in glory and in power; and, since the latter is fearfully and wonderfully
+made, we know of nothing but the most exquisite organization that can give
+the spiritual body such a superiority over the natural. Admitting that
+such will be its structure, and, although the nomenclature of anatomy and
+physiology, which is adapted to flesh and blood, shall pass away and be
+forgotten, yet analogous sciences shall be substituted, based on facts and
+principles far more interesting, and developing relations and harmonies
+far more beautiful. It may be thought, indeed, that, so different will be
+these sciences from any thing on earth, that there can be no common
+principles and no link of connection. But the longer a man studies the
+works of God, the more inclined will he be to regard the universe,
+material and immaterial, as founded on eternal principles; as, in fact, a
+transcript of the divine nature; and that all the changes in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span> nature are
+only new developments of unchanging fundamental laws, not the introduction
+of new laws. Hence the philosopher would infer that in existing nature we
+have the prototype of new heavens and a new earth; and although a future
+condition of things may be as different from the present as the plant is
+from the seed out of which it springs, still, as the seed contains the
+embryo of a future plant, so the future world may, as it were, lie coiled
+up in the present. If in these suggestions there is any truth, there may
+be a germ in the anatomy and physiology of the present world, which shall
+survive the destruction of the present economy, and unfold, in far higher
+beauty and glory, in the more congenial climate of the new heavens and the
+new earth. If so, the great principles of these sciences which are
+acquired on earth, and which are so prolific in exhibitions of divine
+skill, may not prove to be lost knowledge. They shall be recognized as
+types of those far higher and richer developments of organization which
+the spiritual body shall exhibit.</p>
+
+<p>It may be still more difficult to show that such a science as botany will
+have a place in the new earth; simply because we have no certain knowledge
+of the existence of vegetation there. We can infer nothing on this subject
+from the figurative representations of the new Jerusalem in Revelation,
+since the drapery is all derived from this world. But, on the general
+principle already stated, that the universe constitutes but one vast and
+harmonious system, and all the economies upon it, past, present, and
+future, are only different developments of eternal principles, this
+consideration, I say, should make us hesitate before we infer the
+annihilation of the vast vegetable kingdom upon the destruction of the
+present economy of the world. And it does give us an aspect of extreme
+barrenness and cheerlessness to think of the new earth entirely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span> swept of
+every thing analogous to the existing foliage, flowers, and fruits. We
+have attempted to show, however, in another place, that the spiritual body
+may be of such a nature that it might exist in a temperature so high, or
+so low, as to prevent the existence of such organic natures as now exist.
+But how easy for the Deity to create such natures as are adapted to
+extremes of temperature as wide as we now are acquainted with; and that,
+too, on the same type as existing nature; so that the new earth, while yet
+an incandescent, glowing ocean, might teem with animals and plants,
+organized on the same general principles as those of the present earth!
+But there is another supposition. I have endeavored to show that change
+ever has been, and probably ever will be, one of the grand means by which
+mind is introduced to higher spheres of enjoyment; and even though the new
+earth at first should be destitute of organic natures, both animal and
+vegetable, they might be introduced in successive and more perfect
+economies, as a means of increased happiness, especially to rational
+natures. These are, indeed, only conjectures; but the balance of
+probabilities seems to me to incline the mind to the belief that there may
+be a botany as well as zo&ouml;logy in the future world, far transcending their
+prototypes on earth.</p>
+
+<p>Among the things that we may be certain will pass away with the present
+world is the mode of communicating our ideas by language. This the apostle
+expressly declares when he says, <i>Whether there be tongues</i>, [that is,
+languages,] <i>they shall cease.</i> Now, the acquisition of languages, and the
+right use of language, or rhetoric and oratory, constitute a large part of
+what men call learning on earth. And the question is, whether there are
+any principles on which these branches of knowledge are based that will
+become the elements of new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span> and higher modes of communicating thought in a
+future world. These branches are, indeed, rather to be regarded as arts
+than sciences. Language is the drapery for clothing our thoughts, and,
+unless we have thoughts to clothe, it becomes useless; and rhetoric and
+oratory merely show us how to arrange that drapery in the most attractive
+and impressive style. But there is such a thing as the philosophy of
+language and the philosophy of rhetoric, whose principles are derived
+chiefly from moral and intellectual philosophy. And these, we have reason
+to believe, are eternal. Different as will be the mode of communicating
+thoughts hereafter from the present, we shall find the same philosophical
+principles lying at its foundation. Hence we may expect that there will be
+a celestial language, a celestial rhetoric, and a celestial oratory, in
+whose beauty and splendor those of earth will be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>I now proceed briefly to consider those sciences which, having little
+connection with material organization, we may more confidently maintain
+will have an existence on the new earth.</p>
+
+<p>It will be hardly necessary to spend much time in proving that
+intellectual philosophy will be one of the subjects of investigation in a
+future world. For it would be strange if the noblest part of God&#8217;s
+workmanship, for which materialism was created, should cease to be an
+object of inquiry in that world where alone it can be investigated with
+much success. When we consider that the whole train of mental phenomena is
+constantly passing under the mind&#8217;s own observation, and that a vast
+amount of time and talent has been devoted to the subject ever since man
+began to philosophize,&mdash;that is, for more than two thousand years,&mdash;it
+would seem as if psychology ere this must have attained the precision and
+certainty of mathematics. But how different is the fact! I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> speak not of a
+want of agreement in opinion on subordinate points, for these minor
+diversities must be expected in any science not strictly demonstrative.
+Even astronomy abounds with them. But metaphysical philosophers have not
+yet been able to settle fundamental principles. They are not yet agreed as
+to the existence of many of the most familiar and important intellectual
+powers and principles of action. The systems of Locke and Hume,
+constructed with great ability, were overthrown by Reid; Stewart differed
+much from Reid; and Dr. Thomas Brown has powerfully attacked the fabric
+erected by Stewart. And lastly, the phrenologists, with no mean ability,
+have endeavored to show that all these philosophers are heaven-wide of the
+truth, because they have so much neglected the influence of the material
+organs on the mental powers. Now, this diversity of result, arrived at by
+men of such profound abilities, shows that there are peculiar difficulties
+in the study of mind, originating, probably, in the fact that, in this
+world, we never see the operation of mind apart from a gross material
+organization. But in another state, where no organization will exist, or
+one far better adapted to mental operations, we may hope for such a
+clarification of the mental eye that the laws of mind will assume the
+precision and certainty of mathematics, and the relations between mind and
+matter, now so obscure, be fully developed. Then, I doubt not, the
+principles of mental science will furnish a more splendid illustration of
+the divine perfections than any which can now be derived from the material
+world.</p>
+
+<p>Will any one believe that the principles of moral science and mathematics
+will be altered or annihilated by the conflagration of the globe? We
+believe them no more dependent upon the external universe than is the
+divine existence. God exists by a necessity of nature, and these
+principles have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span> same unchanging and eternal origin. If so, no changes
+in the material world can affect them. So far as we understand them here,
+we shall find them true hereafter; and we shall doubtless find that our
+present knowledge is but the mere twilight of that bright day which will
+there pour its full light upon these subjects. Mathematical and moral
+truths, which we now suppose to be general laws, we shalt then find to be,
+in many cases, only the ramifications of principles far wider, which we
+cannot now discover, and which we could not comprehend were they open to
+inspection. And we shall also find that moral laws are as certain and
+demonstrable as those of mathematics; and that they form the adamantine
+chain which holds together the spiritual world, and gives it symmetry and
+beauty, as mathematics links together the material universe.</p>
+
+<p>Among men who understand biblical interpretation, and also the principles
+of science, the belief in the annihilation of the material universe at the
+close of man&#8217;s probationary state is fast disappearing, and the more
+scriptural, philosophical, and animating doctrine is embraced, that there
+will be only a change of form and condition of our earth and its
+atmosphere, and that the matter of the universe will survive, and
+successively assume new and more beautiful forms, it may be eternally. If
+so, all those physical sciences, which do not depend upon organic
+structure, will form subjects of investigation in the heavenly world.
+There will be the heavenly bodies, governed by the same laws as at
+present, and offering a noble field for examination. Nor will the heavenly
+inhabitants need, as on earth, visual organs and optical instruments,
+which, at best, afford us only glimpses of the material universe. For
+there, if we rightly conjecture, will they possess the power of learning,
+with almost intuitive certainty and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span> intuitive rapidity, the character and
+movements of the most distant worlds. Nay, it may be that they can pass
+from world to world with the velocity of light, and thus become better
+acquainted with their more intimate condition. Thus will the astronomy of
+the celestial world surpass, beyond conception, that science which even
+now is regarded as unequalled for its sublimity.</p>
+
+<p>We cannot be sure through what material medium the mind will act in a
+future world. But the manner in which we know heat, light, and electricity
+to be transmitted, makes it not impossible that the same or a similar
+medium may be the vehicle through which thought shall be hereafter
+transmitted. If so, we can easily understand how the mind will be able to
+penetrate into the most recondite nature of bodies, and learn the mode in
+which they act upon one another; for the curious medium which conveys
+light and heat does penetrate all bodies, whether they be solid or
+gaseous, cold or hot. Hence we may learn at a glance, in a future world,
+more of the internal constitution of bodies, and of their mutual action,
+than a whole life on earth, spent in the study of chemistry, will unfold.
+Then, too, shall we doubtless find chemical laws operating on a scale of
+grandeur and extent, limited only by the material universe.</p>
+
+<p>Universally diffused as light, heat, and electricity are, and diligently
+as their phenomena have been studied, yet what mystery hangs over their
+nature and operations! They seem to be too subtile, and to approximate too
+nearly to immaterial substances, to be apprehended by our beclouded
+intellects. When, therefore, our means of perception shall be vastly
+improved, as we have reason to believe they will be in eternity, these
+will become noble themes for examination. For who can doubt that agents so
+ethereal in their nature, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span>apparently indestructible, and even
+unchanged by any means with which we are acquainted, will survive the
+final catastrophe of our world? Probably, indeed, we are allowed to catch
+only glimpses of their nature and operations on earth, so that we may
+safely anticipate an immense expansion of the electricity and optics which
+will form a part of the science of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>We have endeavored to show, in a former lecture, that the future residence
+of the righteous will be material; that it will, in fact, be the present
+earth, purified by the fires of the last day, and rising from the final
+ruin in renovated splendor. We have shown that this is the doctrine of
+Scripture, of philosophy, and of a majority of the Christian church. A
+solid world, then, will exist, whose geology can be studied by glorified
+minds far more accurately and successfully than the globe which we
+inhabit; for those minds will doubtless be able to penetrate the entire
+mass of the globe, and learn its whole structure. The final conflagration
+may, indeed, for the most part, obliterate the traces of present and past
+organic beings. But according to the doctrine of action and reaction in
+mechanics, in chemistry, in electricity, and in organization, every change
+that has ever passed over the earth has left traces of its occurrence
+which can never be blotted out; and it is not improbable that glorified
+minds will possess the power of discovering and reading these records of
+the past, if not on the principle just specified, yet in some other way;
+so that the entire geological history of our planet will probably pass in
+clear light before them. Points which we see only through a glass darkly
+will then stand forth in full daylight; and from the glimpses we are able
+to obtain in this world of its present geological changes, what a mighty
+and interesting series will be seen by celestial minds! If, even by the
+colored rays which come upon us through the twilight of this world, we
+are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span> able to see so many striking illustrations of the divine character
+engraven on the solid rocks, what a noble volume of religious truth shall
+be found written there, when the light of heaven shall penetrate the
+earth&#8217;s deep foundations! Those foundations, figuratively described in
+revelation as so many precious stones, bearing up a city of pure gold,
+clear as glass, will then reflect a richer light than the costliest
+literal gems which the rocks now yield. The geology of heaven will be
+resplendent with divine glory.</p>
+
+<p>We see, then, with a few probable exceptions, resulting from a difference
+between the organism of heaven and earth, that science will survive the
+ruin of this world, and in a nobler form engage the minds, and interest
+the hearts, of heaven&#8217;s inhabitants. It will, indeed, form a vast
+storehouse, whence pious minds can draw fuel to kindle into a purer and
+brighter flame their love and their devotion; for thence will they derive
+new and higher developments of the divine character. Shall we not, then,
+admit that to be religious truth on earth which in heaven will form the
+food of perfectly holy minds?</p>
+
+<p>The position which I laid down, at the outset, that scientific truth,
+rightly applied, is religious truth, seems to me most clearly established.
+If admitted, there flow from it several inferences of no small interest,
+which I am constrained to present to your consideration.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the first place, I infer from this discussion that the principles of
+science are a transcript of the Divine Character.</i></p>
+
+<p>I mean by this, that the laws of nature, which are synonymous with the
+principles of science, are not the result of any arbitrary and special
+enactment on the part of the Deity, but flow naturally from his
+perfections; so that, in fact, the varied principles of science are but so
+many expressions of the perfections of Jehovah. If the universe had only a
+transient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span> existence, we might suppose the laws that govern it to be the
+result of a special ordination of the Deity, and destined to perish with
+the annihilation of matter. But since we have no evidence that matter will
+ever perish, and at least probable evidence that it will exist forever,
+the more rational supposition is, that its laws result from the nature of
+things, and are only a development of so many features of the divine
+character. If so, then the most important inquiry in the study of the
+sciences is to learn from them the phases in which they present the divine
+perfections.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the second place, it does not follow from this subject that the most
+extensive acquisitions in science necessarily imply the possession of true
+piety.</i></p>
+
+<p>Piety consists in the exercise of right affections of heart towards God,
+excited by religious truth. Now, I have attempted to show only, that the
+natural tendency of scientific truth is to excite such religious
+affections; but that tendency, like all other good influences, may be, and
+often is, resisted. Hence a man may reach the loftiest pinnacle of
+scientific glory whose heart has never heaved with one religious emotion.
+He may penetrate to the very holy of holies in nature&#8217;s temple, and yet
+retain his atheism, in spite of the hallowed influences that surround him.
+Nothing is plainer in theory, and, alas! nothing has been more surely
+confirmed by experience, than that the possession of science is not the
+possession of religion.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the third place, what a perversion of science it is to employ it
+against religion!</i></p>
+
+<p>Rightly understood, and fairly interpreted, there is not a single
+scientific truth that does not harmoniously accord with revealed as well
+as natural religion; and yet, by superficial minds, almost every one of
+these principles has, at one time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span> or another, been regarded as in
+collision with religion, and especially with revelation. One after another
+have these apparent discrepancies melted away before the clearer light of
+further examination. And yet, up to the present day, not a few, closing
+their eyes against the lessons of experience, still fancy that the
+responses of science are not in unison with those from revelation. But
+this is a sentiment which finds no place with the profound and
+unprejudiced philosopher; for he has seen too much of the harmony between
+the works and the word of God to doubt the identity of their origin. He
+knows it to be a sad perversion of scientific truth to use it for the
+discredit of religion. He knows that the inspiration of the Almighty
+breathed the same spirit into science as into religion; and if they utter
+discordant tones, it must be because one or the other has been forced to
+speak in an unnatural dialect.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the fourth place, how entirely have the natural tendencies of science
+been misunderstood, when they have been represented as leading to
+religious scepticism!</i></p>
+
+<p>I do not deny the fact that many scientific men have been sceptical. But I
+maintain that this has been in spite of science, rather than the result of
+its natural tendency; for we have shown that tendency in all cases to be
+favorable to piety. Other more powerful causes, therefore, must have
+operated to counteract the natural influence of scientific truth in those
+cases where men eminent for science have spurned away from them the
+authority of religion. Among these causes, the pride of knowledge is one
+of the most powerful; and before the mind has attained to very profound
+views of science, this pride does often exert a most disastrous influence
+upon a man&#8217;s religious feelings.</p>
+
+<p>He is looked up to as an oracle on other subjects, and why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span> should he not
+be equally wise concerning religion? It is natural for him to feel
+desirous, in such circumstances, of rising above all vulgar and
+superstitious views, and of convincing his fellow-men that he has made as
+great discoveries in religion as in science. He, therefore, calls in
+question the prevailing religious opinions. Having once taken his stand
+against the truth, pride does not allow him to recede, and he endeavors to
+convert scientific truth into weapons against religion. And this
+perversion produces the impression, with those not familiar with its
+natural tendency, that science fosters scepticism.</p>
+
+<p>Another cause of this scepticism is a superficial acquaintance with the
+religious bearings of scientific truth. It is one thing to master the
+principles of science in an abstract form, and quite a different thing to
+understand their religious bearings. Moral reasoning is so different from
+physical and mathematical, that often a mind which is a prodigy for the
+latter, is a mere Lilliput in the former. And yet that mind may fancy
+itself as profound in the one as in the other, and may, therefore, be as
+tenacious of its errors in religion as of its demonstrated verities in
+science.</p>
+
+<p>In the following extract it will be seen that Dr. Chalmers imputes the
+religious scepticism connected with science chiefly to a superficial
+acquaintance with science. His remarks may seem unreasonably severe and
+sweeping; nevertheless, they deserve consideration. And they accord with
+the idea of Lord Bacon, who says, &#8220;A smattering of philosophy leads to
+atheism; whereas a thorough acquaintance with it brings him back again to
+religion.&#8221; &#8220;We have heard,&#8221; Dr. Chalmers remarks, &#8220;that the study of
+natural science disposes to infidelity. But we feel persuaded that this is
+a danger associated only with a slight and partial, never with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span> deep,
+and adequate, and comprehensive, view of its principles. It is very
+possible that the conjunction between science and scepticism may at
+present be more frequently realized than in former days; but this is only
+because, in spite of all that is alleged about this our more enlightened
+day and more enlightened public, our science is neither so deeply founded,
+nor of such firm and thorough staple, as it was wont to be. We have lost
+in depth what we have gained in diffusion; having neither the massive
+erudition, nor the gigantic scholarship, nor the profound and well-laid
+philosophy of a period that has now gone by; and it is to this that
+Infidelity stands indebted for her triumphs among the scoffers and
+superficialists of a half-learned generation.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Chalmers&#8217;s Works</i>, vol.
+vii. p. 262.</p>
+
+<p>Briefly, but nobly, has Sir John Herschel vindicated science from the
+charge of sceptical tendencies. &#8220;Nothing can be more unfounded than the
+objection which has been taken <i>in limine</i> by persons, well meaning,
+perhaps, certainly of narrow minds, against the study of natural
+philosophy, and, indeed, against all science, that it fosters in its
+cultivators an undue and overweening self-conceit, leads them to doubt the
+immortality of the soul, and to scoff at revealed religion. Its natural
+effect, we may confidently assert, on every well-constituted mind, is and
+must be the direct contrary. No doubt the testimony of natural reason, on
+whatever exercised, must, of course, stop short of those truths which it
+is the object of revelation to make known; but while it places the
+existence and principal attributes of a Deity on such grounds as to render
+doubt absurd, and atheism ridiculous, it unquestionably opposes no natural
+or necessary obstacle to further progress; on the contrary, by cherishing
+as a vital principle an unbounded spirit of inquiry and ardency of
+expectation, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span> unfetters the mind from prejudices of every kind, and
+leaves it open to every impression of a higher nature, which it is
+susceptible of receiving; guarding only against enthusiasm and
+self-deception by a habit of strict investigation, but encouraging, rather
+than suppressing, every thing that can offer a prospect or hope beyond the
+present obscure and unsatisfactory state. The character of the true
+philosopher is to hope all things not impossible, and to believe all
+things not unreasonable.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Diss. on Study of Nat. Phil.</i></p>
+
+<p>In speaking of geology and revelation, Sir John says, &#8220;There cannot be two
+truths in contradiction to one another, and a man must have a mind fitted
+neither for scientific nor for religious truth, whose religion can be
+disturbed by geology, or whose geology can be distorted from its character
+of an inductive science by a determination to accommodate its results to
+preconceived interpretations of the Mosaic cosmogony.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Dr. J. P. Smith&#8217;s
+Lectures</i>, p. viii. 4th edition.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We have often mourned,&#8221; says M&#8217;Cosh, &#8220;over the attempts made to set the
+works of God against the word of God, and thereby excite, propagate, and
+perpetuate jealousies fitted to separate parties that ought to live in
+closest union. In particular, we have always regretted that endeavors
+should have been made to depreciate nature with a view of exalting
+revelation; it has always appeared to us to be nothing else than the
+degrading of one part of God&#8217;s works in the hope thereby of exalting and
+recommending another.&#8221; &#8220;Perilous as it is at all times for the friends of
+religion to set themselves against natural science, it is especially
+dangerous in an age like the present.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is no profane work that is engaged in by those who, in all humility,
+would endeavor to remove jealousies between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span> parties whom God has joined
+together, and whom man is not at liberty to put asunder. We are not
+lowering the dignity of science when we command it to do what all the
+objects which it looks at and admires do&mdash;when we command it to worship
+God. Nor are we detracting from the honor which is due to religion when we
+press it to take science into its service, and accept the homage which it
+is able to pay. We are seeking to exalt both when we show how nature
+conducts man to the threshold of religion, and when from this point we bid
+him look abroad on the wide territories of nature. We would aid at the
+same time both religion and science, by removing those prejudices against
+sacred truth which nature has been employed to foster; and we would
+accomplish this not by casting aside and discarding nature, but by rightly
+interpreting it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let not science and religion be reckoned as opposing citadels, frowning
+defiance upon each other, and their troops brandishing their armor in
+hostile attitude. They have too many common foes, if they would but think
+of it, in ignorance and prejudice, in passion and vice, under all their
+forms, to admit of their lawfully wasting their strength in a useless
+warfare with each other. Science has a foundation, and so has religion;
+let them unite their foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they
+will be two compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of God.
+Let the one be the outer and the other the inner court. In the one, let
+all look, and admire, and adore; and in the other, let those who have
+faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let the one be the sanctuary where
+human learning may present its richest incense as an offering to God, and
+the other the holiest of all, separated from it by a veil now rent in
+twain, and in which, on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span> blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, we pour out the
+love of a reconciled heart, and hear the oracles of the living
+God.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Method of the Divine Government</i>, p. 449, <i>et seq.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>In the fifth place, scientific men and religious men may learn from this
+subject to regard each other as engaged in a common cause.</i></p>
+
+<p>If it be indeed true that scientific truth, rightly applied, is religious
+truth, then may the religious man be sure that every scientific discovery
+will ultimately contribute to the illustration of the character or
+government of the Deity; and therefore should he encourage and rejoice in
+all such investigations, and bid God speed to the votaries of science.
+Even though he cannot see how the new discovery will illustrate religion,
+and though, when imperfectly developed, it may seem to have an unfavorable
+aspect, he need not fear to confide in the general principle that science
+and religion are alike of divine origin, and must be in harmony. On the
+other hand, the votary of science should remember that the state of
+society most favorable to his pursuits is one in which religion exerts the
+strongest influence. It is for his interest, therefore, merely as a lover
+of science, and much more as a moral and accountable agent, to have pure
+religion prevail. Scientific and religious men should, therefore, look
+upon each other as co-laborers in a most noble cause&mdash;in illustrating the
+divine character and government. All jealousy and narrow-minded
+exclusiveness should be banished, and side by side should they labor in
+warm-hearted and generous sympathy. Alas! how different from this has been
+the history of the past! and, to a great extent, how different it is at
+present! &#8220;A study of the natural world,&#8221; says Professor Sedgwick, &#8220;teaches
+not the truths of revealed religion, nor do the truths of religion inform
+us of the inductions of physical science. Hence it is that men,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span> whose
+studies are too much confined to one branch of knowledge, often learn to
+overrate themselves, and so become narrow minded. Bigotry is a besetting
+sin of our nature. Too often has it been the attendant of religious zeal;
+but it is perhaps the most bitter and unsparing when found among the
+irreligious. A philosopher, not understanding one atom of their spirit,
+will sometimes scoff at the labors of religious men; and one who calls
+himself religious will, perhaps, return a like harsh judgment, and thank
+God that he is not as the philosophers; forgetting, all the while, that
+man can ascend to no knowledge except by faculties given to him by his
+Creator&#8217;s hand, and that all natural knowledge is but a reflection of the
+will of God. In harsh judgments, such as these, there is not only much
+folly, but much sin. True wisdom consists in seeing how all the faculties
+of the mind and all parts of knowledge bear upon each other, so as to work
+together to a common end; ministering at once to the happiness of man and
+his Maker&#8217;s glory.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Discourse on the Studies of the University</i>, 5th
+edition, p. 105, appendix.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the sixth place, the subject shows us what is the most important use
+to be derived from science.</i></p>
+
+<p>It does not consist, as men have been supposing, in its application to the
+useful arts, whereby civilization, and human comfort and happiness are so
+greatly promoted; although men have thereby been raised from a state of
+barbarism and advanced to a high point on the scale of refinement. It is
+not the application of science as a means of enlarging and disciplining
+the mind; although this would be a noble result of scientific study. But
+it is its application for the illustration of religion. This, I say, is
+its most important use. For what higher or nobler purpose can any pursuit
+subserve than in developing the character, government, and will of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span>
+infinite Being, who is the sum and centre of all perfection and happiness?
+Other objects accomplished by science are important, and in the bustle of
+life they may seem to be its chief end. But in the calmness of mature
+years, when we begin to estimate things according to their real value, we
+shall see that the religious bearings of any pursuit far transcend in
+importance all its other relations; for all its other tendencies and uses
+are limited to this world, and will, therefore, be transient; but every
+thing which bears the stamp of religion is immortal, and every thing which
+concerns the Deity is infinite. It is true that but few who are engaged in
+scientific pursuits make much account of their bearings upon man&#8217;s highest
+interests; but very different will it be in heaven. There, so far as we
+know, all the applications of science to the useful arts will be unknown,
+and the great object of its cultivation will be to gain new and clearer
+views of the perfections and plans of Jehovah, and thus to awaken towards
+him a deeper reverence and a warmer love. And such should be the richest
+fruit of scientific researches on earth.</p>
+
+<p><i>In the seventh place, the subject shows us that those who are the most
+eminent in science ought to be the most eminent in piety.</i></p>
+
+<p>I am far from maintaining that science is a sufficient guide in religion.
+On the other hand, if left to itself, as I fully admit,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;It leads to bewilder, and dazzles to blind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Nor do I maintain that scientific truth, even when properly appreciated,
+will compare at all, in its influence upon the human mind, with those
+peculiar and higher truths disclosed by revelation. All I contend for is,
+that scientific truth, illustrating as it does the divine character,
+plans, and government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span> ought to fan and feed the flame of true piety in
+the hearts of its cultivators. He, therefore, who knows the most of
+science ought most powerfully to feel this religious influence. He is not
+confined, like the great mass of men, to the outer court of nature&#8217;s
+magnificent temple, but he is admitted to the interior, and allowed to
+trace its long halls, aisles, and galleries, and gaze upon its lofty domes
+and arches; nay, as a priest he enters the <i>penetralia</i>, the holy of
+holies, where sacred fire is always burning upon the altars, where hovers
+the glorious Schekinah, and where, from a full orchestra, the anthem of
+praise is ever ascending. Petrified, indeed, must be his heart, if it
+catches none of the inspiration of such a spot. He ought to go forth from
+it among his fellow-men with radiant glory on his face, like Moses from
+the holy mount. He who sees most of God in his works ought to show the
+stamp of divinity upon his character, and lead an eminently holy life.</p>
+
+<p><i>Finally, the subject gives great interest and dignity to the study of
+science.</i></p>
+
+<p>It is not strange that the religious man should sometimes find his ardor
+damped in the pursuit of some branches of knowledge, by the melancholy
+reflection that they can be of no use beyond this world, and will exist
+only as objects of memory in eternity. He may have devoted many a toilsome
+year to the details and manipulations of the arts; and, so far as this
+world is concerned, his labors have been eminently salutary and
+interesting. But all his labors and researches can be of no avail on the
+other side of the grave; and he cannot but feel sad that so much study and
+efforts should leave results no more permanent. Or he may have given his
+best days to loading his memory with those tongues which the Scriptures
+assure us shall cease; or to those details of material organization which
+can have no place or antitype in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span> the future world. Interesting,
+therefore, as such pursuits have been on earth, nay, indispensable as they
+are to the well being and progress of human society, it is melancholy to
+realize that they form a part of that knowledge which will vanish away.</p>
+
+<p>The mind delights in the prospect of again turning its attention to those
+branches of knowledge which have engrossed and interested it on earth, and
+of doing this under circumstances far more favorable to their
+investigation. And such an anticipation he may reasonably indulge, who
+devotes himself on earth to any branch of knowledge not dependent on
+arrangements and organizations peculiar to this world. He may be confident
+that he is investigating those principles which will form a part of the
+science of heaven. Should he ever reach that pure world, he knows that the
+clogs which now weigh down his mind will drop off, and the clouds that
+obscure his vision will clear away, and that a brighter sun will pour its
+radiance upon his path. He is filling his mind with principles that are
+immortal. He is engaged in pursuits to which glorified and angelic minds
+are devoting their lofty powers. Other branches of knowledge, highly
+esteemed among men, shall pass away with the destruction of this world.
+The baseless hypotheses of science, falsely so called, whether moral,
+intellectual, or physical, and the airy phantoms of a light and fictitious
+literature, shall all pass into the limbo of forgetfulness. But the
+principles of true science, constituting, as they do, the pillars of the
+universe, shall bear up that universe forever. How many questions of deep
+interest, respecting his favorite science, must the philosopher in this
+world leave unanswered, how many points unsettled! But when he stands upon
+the vantage-ground of another world, all these points shall be seen in the
+bright transparencies of heaven. In this world, the votaries of science
+may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span> compared with the aborigines who dwell around some one of the
+principal sources of the River Amazon. They have been able, perhaps, to
+trace one or two, or it may be a dozen, of its tributaries, from their
+commencement in some mountain spring, and to follow them onwards as they
+enlarge by uniting, so as to bear along the frail canoes, in which,
+perhaps, they pass a few hundred miles towards the ocean. On the right and
+on the left, a multitude of other tributaries swell the stream which
+carries them onward, until it seems to them a mighty river. But they are
+ignorant of the hundred other tributaries which drain the vast eastern
+slope of the Andes, and sweep over the wide plains, till their united
+waters have formed the majestic Amazon. Of that river in its full glory,
+and especially of the immense ocean that lies beyond, the natives have no
+conception; unless, perhaps, some individual, more daring than the rest,
+has floated onward till his astonished eye could scarcely discern the
+shore on either hand, and before him he saw the illimitable Atlantic,
+whitened by the mariner&#8217;s sail and the crested waves; and he may have gone
+back to tell his unbelieving countrymen the marvellous story. Just so is
+it with men of science. They are able to trace with clearness a few rills
+of truth from the fountain head, and to follow them onward till they unite
+in a great principle, which at first men fancy is the chief law of the
+universe. But as they venture still farther onward, they find new
+tributary truths coming in on either side, to form a principle or law
+still more broad and comprehensive. Yet it is only a few gifted and
+adventurous minds that are able, from some advanced mountain top, to catch
+a glimpse of the entire stream of truth, formed by the harmonious union of
+all principles, and flowing on majestically into the boundless ocean of
+all knowledge, the Infinite Mind. But when the Christian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span> philosopher
+shall be permitted to resume the study of science in a future world, with
+powers of investigation enlarged and clarified, and all obstacles removed,
+he will be able to trace onward the various ramifications of truth, till
+they unite into higher and higher principles, and become one in that
+centre of centres, the Divine Mind. That is the Ocean from which all truth
+originally sprang, and to which it ultimately returns. To trace out the
+shores of that shoreless Sea, to measure its measureless extent, and to
+fathom its unfathomable depths, will be the noble and the joyous work of
+eternal ages. And yet eternal ages may pass by and see the work only
+begun.</p>
+
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+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p>
+
+<p><a name="f1" id="f1" href="#f1.1">[1]</a> I ought surely to except the work of Professor Bachman, which I have
+not read, but which was certainly written by an able naturalist.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f2" id="f2" href="#f2.1">[2]</a> I am not aware that this reply to the objection was ever advanced,
+till the publication, by myself, last year, of a sermon on the
+Resurrections of Spring, in a small volume of sermons, entitled Religious
+Lectures on some peculiar Phenomena in the Four Seasons. I may be
+mistaken; but I cannot see why this reply does not completely meet the
+difficulty, and free an important doctrine from an incubus under which it
+has long lain half smothered.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f3" id="f3" href="#f3.1">[3]</a> I hope it is not vanity to say that this subject, also, was first
+suggested in the sermon referred to in the preceding note. If correct, it
+opens an animating prospect to the afflicted Christian.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f4" id="f4" href="#f4.1">[4]</a> The first edition of this work was republished in this country. In
+England it has reached the fifth edition, much enlarged.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f5" id="f5" href="#f5.1">[5]</a> Two or three years since Professor Bronn described twenty-six thousand
+six hundred and seventy-eight species; and, upon an average, one thousand
+species are discovered every year. M. Alcide D&#8217;Orbigny, in 1850, stated
+the number of mollusks and radiated animals alone at seventeen thousand
+nine hundred and forty-seven species.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f6" id="f6" href="#f6.1">[6]</a> The news has just reached us that this venerable man is no more. I was
+present last summer at Homerton, when he resigned the charge of that
+beloved institution. From his addresses and his prayers, so redolent of
+the spirit of heaven, I might have known that he was pluming his wings for
+his upward flight. I am thankful that I was permitted to see the man,
+whom, of all others in Europe, I most desired to see. But Dr. Buckland I
+did not meet; for he was in an insane hospital, with no prospect of
+recovery. Alas! how sad to think of such Christian philosophers, so soon
+removed from the world, or from all concern in it! Could I dare to hope
+that I shall meet them and kindred spirits before the throne of our common
+Redeemer, how should I exclaim with Cicero, &#8220;<i>O preclarum diem, quum in
+illud animorum concilium c&oelig;lumque proficiscar, ut quum ex hac turba et
+colluvione discedam!</i>&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><a name="f7" id="f7" href="#f7.1">[7]</a> This had always seemed to me a very strong case, as I had seen it
+described. But a recent visit to the spot (September, 1850) did not make
+so strong an impression upon me as I expected. In the first place, I found
+the head of Lake Lehman, where the Rhone enters, to be so narrow, that the
+detritus brought down by the river cannot spread itself out very far
+laterally. Secondly, I found, on ascending the Rhone, that it is every
+where a very rapid stream; and, on account of the origination of its
+branches from glaciers, it is always loaded with mud. So that the process
+of deposition must be going on continually. This cannot be the case in one
+in ten of other rivers, whose waters, for most of the year, are clear.
+This case, then, is only a quite unusual exception, and cannot be regarded
+as a standard by which to judge of the rate of deposition at present, or
+in past times.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f8" id="f8" href="#f8.1">[8]</a> For a much more minute and extended account of the different modes
+proposed to reconcile geology and revelation, and indeed of their entire
+connection, I would refer to several papers in the American Biblical
+Repository, especially to the number for October, 1835, p. 261. The
+progress of science has, indeed, rendered it desirable to change a few
+sentences in those articles; but all their essential principles I still
+maintain.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f9" id="f9" href="#f9.1">[9]</a> See Stuart and Hodge on Rom. v. 12; also Chalmers&#8217;s Lectures on
+Romans, Lecture 26; and Harris&#8217;s Man Primeval, p. 178.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f10" id="f10" href="#f10.1">[10]</a> Johnston&#8217;s Physical Atlas, pp. 66, 76, (Philadelphia edition, 1850.)</p>
+
+<p><a name="f11" id="f11" href="#f11.1">[11]</a> Rev. Joseph Tracy, Bibliotheca Sacra, Oct. 1850, p. 614.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f12" id="f12" href="#f12.1">[12]</a> See the Frontispiece.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f13" id="f13" href="#f13.1">[13]</a> The subject of this inference is treated with great ability and
+candor in the <i>Biblotheca Sacra</i> for November, 1849, by my friend and
+colleague, Rev. Joseph Haven, Jr., professor of intellectual and moral
+philosophy in Amherst College.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f14" id="f14" href="#f14.1">[14]</a> In this description I have attempted to give exactly the experience
+of myself and John Tappan, Esq., with our wives, who ascended Snowdon in
+June, 1850. A few days after, we ascended Cader Idris, another mountain of
+Wales, near Dolgelly, where the views were perhaps equally wild and
+sublime, with the addition of a vast number of trap columns, and a
+pseudo-crater, with its jagged and frowning sides.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f15" id="f15" href="#f15.1">[15]</a> When I visited this spot, in September, 1850, I was so fortunate as
+to get sight of a party that had just commenced the descent from the
+summit of Mont Blanc. To the naked eye they were invisible, but the whole
+train could be distinctly seen through a telescope. This was the third
+party that had ascended that mountain in the summer of 1850. I doubt not
+that the dangers have been exaggerated, and that the excursion will become
+common.</p>
+
+<p>There are other points of great interest around Chamouny, which I have not
+noticed, some of which I visited, but not all. I have mentioned only the
+most common.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f16" id="f16" href="#f16.1">[16]</a> In September, 1850, I visited this well, and found the water running
+still, at the rate of six hundred and sixty gallons per minute at the
+surface, and half that amount at the top of a tube one hundred and twelve
+feet high, from whence it could be carried to any part of Paris; and, in
+fact, does supply some of the streets. I tasted the water, and found it
+pleasant, though warm, (84 deg. Fahrenheit.)</p>
+
+<p><a name="f17" id="f17" href="#f17.1">[17]</a> I adopt this division from an able American review of the &#8220;Vestiges.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><a name="f18" id="f18" href="#f18.1">[18]</a> For the details of this remarkable subject, see the &#8220;Parthenogenesis&#8221;
+of Professor Owen, p. 76, (London, 1849;) Steenstrup&#8217;s &#8220;Alternation of
+Generations,&#8221; published by the Ray Society in 1845, and Sedgwick&#8217;s
+&#8220;Discourse on the Studies of the University,&#8221; Supplement, p. 193, (London,
+1850.)</p>
+
+<p><a name="f19" id="f19" href="#f19.1">[19]</a> The subject of this lecture has been ably discussed, within a few
+years, in most of the leading periodicals in Europe and America, though I
+must say not always with the candor calculated to do the most good. The
+two most able volumes that have fallen into my hands, on the subject, are
+Professor Sedgwick&#8217;s &#8220;Discourse on the Studies of the University,&#8221; &amp;c.,
+(fifth ed., London, 1850,) and Hugh Miller&#8217;s &#8220;Footprints of the Creator,&#8221;
+now republished in this country.</p>
+
+<p><a name="f20" id="f20" href="#f20.1">[20]</a> This subject has been treated more fully, and I hope more
+satisfactorily, in a little work of mine, which has just reached its
+second edition, entitled Religious Lectures on Peculiar Phenomena in the
+Four Seasons, (Amherst, 1851.) See the first Lecture, on the Resurrections
+of Spring.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Religion of Geology and Its
+Connected Sciences, by Edward Hitchcock
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Religion of Geology and Its Connected
+Sciences, by Edward Hitchcock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences
+
+Author: Edward Hitchcock
+
+Release Date: February 26, 2011 [EBook #35408]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY AND ITS CONNECTED SCIENCES.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: SECTION OF THE EARTH'S CRUST.]
+
+
+
+
+  THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY AND ITS CONNECTED SCIENCES.
+
+
+  BY EDWARD HITCHCOCK, D. D., LL. D.,
+  PRESIDENT OF AMHERST COLLEGE, AND PROFESSOR OF NATURAL THEOLOGY
+  AND GEOLOGY.
+
+
+  "Science has a foundation, and so has religion; let them unite
+  their foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they will
+  be two compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of
+  God. Let the one be the outer and the other the inner court. In
+  the one, let all look, and admire, and adore; and in the other,
+  let those who have faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let the
+  one be the sanctuary where human learning may present its richest
+  incense as an offering to God; and the other the holiest of all,
+  separated from it by a veil now rent in twain, and in which, on a
+  blood sprinkled mercy seat, we pour out the love of a reconciled
+  heart, and hear the oracles of the living God."--_M'Cosh._
+
+
+  EIGHTH THOUSAND.
+
+  BOSTON:
+  PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, AND COMPANY.
+  1854.
+
+
+
+
+  Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
+
+  PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO.,
+
+  In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District
+  of Massachusetts.
+
+
+  STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.
+
+
+
+
+TO MY BELOVED WIFE.
+
+
+Both gratitude and affection prompt me to dedicate these lectures to you.
+To your kindness and self-denying labors I have been mainly indebted for
+the ability and leisure to give any successful attention to scientific
+pursuits. Early should I have sunk under the pressure of feeble health,
+nervous despondency, poverty, and blighted hopes, had not your sympathies
+and cheering counsels sustained me. And during the last thirty years of
+professional labors, how little could I have done in the cause of science,
+had you not, in a great measure, relieved me of the cares of a numerous
+family! Furthermore, while I have described scientific facts with the pen
+only, how much more vividly have they been portrayed by your pencil! And
+it is peculiarly appropriate that your name should be associated with mine
+in any literary effort where the theme is geology; since your artistic
+skill has done more than my voice to render that science attractive to the
+young men whom I have instructed. I love especially to connect your name
+with an effort to defend and illustrate that religion which I am sure is
+dearer to you than every thing else. I know that you would forbid this
+public allusion to your labors and sacrifices, did I not send it forth to
+the world before it meets your eye. But I am unwilling to lose this
+opportunity of bearing a testimony which both justice and affection urge
+me to give. In a world where much is said of female deception and
+inconstancy, I desire to testify that one man at least has placed implicit
+confidence in woman, and has not been disappointed. Through many checkered
+scenes have we passed together, both on the land and the sea, at home and
+in foreign countries; and now the voyage of life is almost ended. The ties
+of earthly affection, which have so long united us in uninterrupted
+harmony and happiness, will soon be sundered. But there are ties which
+death cannot break; and we indulge the hope that by them we shall be
+linked together and to the throne of God through eternal ages.
+
+  In life and in death I abide
+    Your affectionate husband,
+      EDWARD HITCHCOCK.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+Most of the following lectures were written as much as eight or ten years
+ago, though additions and alterations have been made, from time to time,
+to adapt them to the progress of science. They were undertaken at the
+suggestion of my friend, Rev. Henry Neill, then of Hatfield, now of Lenox.
+I had no definite intention as to the use to be made of the lectures; but
+having for many years turned my attention to the bearings of science, and
+especially of geology, upon religion, I felt a desire to put upon paper
+the final results of my examinations. I threw them into the lecture form,
+that I might, if best, deliver them to the geological classes which I
+should instruct in the college with which I am connected. This I have done
+for many years, and also have used them in various places before lyceums.
+They are at length published, from a conviction that something of the
+kind, from some quarter, is needed. Many of the thoughts, indeed, which,
+at the time they were put upon paper, were original, have since been
+brought out by other writers. Yet enough of this description probably
+remain to expose me to severe criticism. I beg the intelligent Christian,
+however, before he condemns my views, to settle it in his mind what he can
+substitute for them that will be more honorable to religion. It is much
+easier to find fault with a mode of defending the truth than to invent a
+better method. We may not be pleased with certain views in vindication of
+religion, and yet the alternative of rejecting them may be so much worse
+as to lead us at least to be silent. Would that Christian critics had
+always kept this fact in mind when writing upon the views of geologists!
+They would find often that they are straining at a gnat and must swallow a
+camel.
+
+If my views are erroneous, as exhibited in these lectures, I cannot plead
+that they have been hastily adopted. Most of them, indeed, have been the
+subjects of thought occasionally for thirty years. I hope, however, that
+all my suggestions will not be thought of equal importance in my own
+estimation; since some of them are merely hypothetical hints thrown out
+for the consideration of abler minds.
+
+This work does not exhibit quite so much of logical exactness as I could
+wish. But my leading object has been fully carried out, viz., to exhibit
+all the religious bearings of geology. Several of the lectures, however,
+have been written as if independent of all the rest; and, therefore, the
+reader will find some leading thoughts repeated, but always in different
+connections.
+
+After acknowledging that more than a quarter of a century has elapsed
+since this subject first engaged my attention, it may be useless for me to
+ask any indulgence from criticism. But really, I feel less prepared to
+write upon it than I did during the first five years in which I studied
+it. I have learnt that it is a most difficult subject. It requires, in
+order to master it, an acquaintance with three distinct branches of
+knowledge, not apt to go together. First, an acquaintance with geology in
+all its details, and with the general principles of zoology, botany, and
+comparative anatomy; secondly, a knowledge of sacred hermeneutics, or the
+principles of interpreting the Scriptures; thirdly, a clear conception of
+the principles of natural and revealed religion.
+
+As examples of efforts made by men who were deficient in a knowledge of
+some of these branches, I am compelled to quote a large proportion of the
+works which, within the last thirty or forty years, have been written on
+the religion of geology; especially on its connection with revealed
+religion. I am happy to except such writers as Dr. J. Pye Smith, Dr.
+Chalmers, Dr. Harris, Dr. Buckland, Professor Sedgwick, Professor Whewell,
+Dr. King, Dr. Anderson, and Hugh Miller; for they, to a greater or less
+extent, acquainted themselves with all the subjects named above, before
+they undertook to write. But a still larger number of authors, although
+men of talents, and familiar, it may be, with the Bible and theology, had
+no accurate knowledge of geology. The results have been, first, that, by
+resorting to denunciation and charges of infidelity, to answer arguments
+from geology which they did not understand, they have excited unreasonable
+prejudices and alarm among common Christians respecting that science and
+its cultivators; secondly, they have awakened disgust, and even contempt,
+among scientific men, especially those of sceptical tendencies, who have
+inferred that a cause which resorts to such defences must be very weak.
+They have felt very much as a good Greek scholar would, who should read a
+severe critique upon the style of Isocrates, or Demosthenes, and, before
+he had finished the review, should discover internal evidence that the
+writer had never learnt the Greek alphabet.
+
+On the other hand, prejudices and disgust equally strong have been
+produced in the mind of many a man well versed in theology and biblical
+exegesis by some productions of scientific men upon the religious bearings
+of geology, because they advanced principles which the merest tyro in
+divinity would know to be false and fatal to religion, and which they
+advocated only because they had never studied the Bible or theology.
+
+And here I would remark that it does not follow, because a man is eminent
+in geology, that his opinion is of any value upon the religion of geology.
+For the two subjects are quite distinct, and a man may be a Coryphaeus in
+the principles of geology, who is an ignoramus in its religious
+applications. Indeed, many of the ablest writers upon geology take the
+ground that its religious bearings do not belong to the science.
+
+These statements, instead of pleading my apology for the following work,
+may only show my temerity and vanity. Nevertheless, they afford me an
+opportunity of calling the attention of the religious public to the great
+inadequacy of the means now possessed of acquiring a knowledge of the
+different branches of natural science. I refer especially to comparative
+anatomy, zoology, botany, and geology, in our literary and theological
+seminaries. The latter, so far as I know, do not pretend to give any
+instruction in these branches. And in our colleges that instruction is
+confined almost entirely to a few brief courses of lectures; often so few
+that the students scarcely find out how ignorant they are of the subjects;
+and hence those who are expecting to enter the sacred ministry vainly
+imagine that, at almost any period of their future course, they can, in a
+few weeks, become sufficiently acquainted with physical science to meet
+and refute the sceptic. In all our seminaries, however, abundant provision
+is made, as it ought to be, for the study of intellectual philosophy and
+biblical interpretation.
+
+So well satisfied are two of the most enlightened and efficient Christian
+denominations in Great Britain--the Congregationalists and the Scottish
+Free Church--of the need of more extensive acquaintance with the natural
+sciences in ministers of the gospel, that they have attached a
+professorship of natural history to their theological seminaries. That in
+the New College in Edinburgh is filled by the venerable Dr. Fleming; that
+in the New College in London by Dr. Lankester. From a syllabus of Dr.
+Fleming's course of lectures, which he put into my hands last summer, I
+perceive that it differs little from the instruction in natural science in
+the colleges of our country. This being the case, it strikes me that this
+is not exactly the professorship that is needed in the theological
+seminaries of our country. But they do need, it seems to me,
+professorships of natural theology, to be filled by men who are
+practically familiar with the natural sciences. If any such chairs exist
+in these seminaries, I do not know it. They are amply provided with
+instruction in the metaphysics of theology, hermeneutics, and
+ecclesiastical history; and I should be sorry to see these departments
+less amply provided for. But here is the wide field of natural theology,
+large enough for several professorships, which finds no place, save a nook
+in the chair of dogmatics. This might have answered well enough when the
+battle-field with scepticism lay in the region of metaphysics, or history,
+or biblical interpretation. But the enemy have, within a few years past,
+intrenched themselves within the dominions of natural science; and there,
+for a long time to come, must be the tug of the war. And since they have
+substituted skeletons, and trees, and stones, as weapons, in the place of
+abstractions, so must Christians do, if they would not be defeated. Let me
+refer to a few examples to show how inadequately furnished the minister
+must be for such a contest, who has used only the means of instruction
+provided in our existing seminaries, literary and theological.
+
+Take the leading points discussed in the following lectures. How can a man
+who has heard only a brief and hurried course of thirty lectures on
+chemistry, twenty on anatomy and physiology, fifteen upon zoology, ten
+upon botany, ten upon mineralogy, and twenty upon geology, at the college,
+with no additional instruction at the theological seminary,--how can he
+judge correctly of points and reasoning difficult to be mastered by adepts
+in these sciences? How certain to be worsted in an argument with an
+accomplished naturalist who is a sceptic!
+
+Suppose the sceptic takes the ground advocated by Oken and the author of
+the "Vestiges." Let the clergyman, whom I have supposed, read the works of
+Miller and Sedgwick in reply to the development hypothesis, and see
+whether he can even understand their arguments without a more careful
+study of the sciences on which they rest.
+
+A subject of no small importance in its religious bearings has recently
+excited a good deal of sharp discussion in this country. I refer to the
+questions of the specific unity and unity of origin of the human race. To
+a person who has never studied the subject, it seems a matter easy to
+settle; yet, in fact, it demands extensive research even to understand.
+And we have seen one of the most accomplished zoologists and anatomists of
+the present age take ground on these points in opposition to the almost
+universal opinion. The result has been that not a few talented replies to
+his arguments have appeared, mostly, I believe, from ministers. I have not
+seen them all. But in respect to those which I have read it has seemed to
+me, without having the least sympathy with the views of Professor Agassiz,
+that the authors have not the most remote conception of the principal
+arguments on which he relies, derived from zoology and comparative
+anatomy; nor do I believe that they can understand and appreciate them
+until they have studied those sciences.[1]
+
+Although I fear that theologians are not aware of the fact, yet probably
+the doctrines of materialism are more widely embraced at this day than
+almost any other religious error. But in which of our schools, save the
+medical, is there any instruction given in physiology and zoology, that
+will prepare a man to make the least headway against such delusions? The
+arguments by which materialism is defended are among the most subtle in
+the whole range of theology and natural science; and without a knowledge
+of the latter they can neither be appreciated nor refuted. The mere
+metaphysical abstractions by which they are usually met excite only the
+contempt of the acute physiologist who is a materialist.
+
+I might refer, in this connection, to the whole subject of pantheism, in
+its chameleon forms. The rhapsodies of spiritual pantheism must, indeed,
+be met by metaphysics equally transcendental. But, after all, it is from
+biology that the pantheist derives his choicest weapons. He appeals, also,
+to astronomy, zoology, and geology; nor is it the superficial naturalist
+that can show how hollow is the foundation on which he rests.
+
+These are only a few examples of the points of physical science on which
+scepticism at this moment has batteries erected with which to assail
+spiritual religion. Will the minister but slightly familiar with the
+ground chosen by the enemy be able not only to silence his guns, but, as
+every able defender of the truth ought to do, to turn them against its
+foes? Surely it needs a professor of natural theology in our theological
+seminaries, (and if such chairs existed in our colleges they would be
+serviceable,) to teach those who expect to be officers in the sacramental
+host how to carry on the holy war. I do not see how much more time can be
+given to the natural sciences in our colleges than is usually done,
+without encroaching upon other indispensable branches. If, therefore,
+provision be not made for studying the religious bearings of these
+sciences in our theological seminaries, our youthful evangelists must go
+forth to their work without the ability to vindicate the cause of religion
+against the assaults of the sceptical naturalist. Would not, then, those
+wealthy and benevolent individuals be great public benefactors, who should
+endow professorships of natural religion in our schools of the prophets?
+
+But I must not pursue this subject farther. I commit my work to the public
+with no raised expectations of its welcome reception. I have a high
+opinion of the enlightened candor of, the educated classes of our country,
+especially those in the ministry. Yet I know that many prejudices exist
+against science in its connections with religion. And, therefore, my only
+hope of any measure of success in this effort rests upon the divine
+blessing. But if the work be not pleasing to Infinite Wisdom and
+Benevolence, why should I desire for it an ephemeral success among men?
+
+AMHERST COLLEGE, May 1, 1851.
+
+
+
+
+EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.
+
+
+This section of the earth's crust is intended to bring under the eye the
+leading features of geology.
+
+
+1. _The relative Position of the Stratified and the Unstratified Rocks._
+
+The unstratified rocks, viz., granite, sienite, porphyry, trap, and lava,
+are represented as lying beneath the stratified class, for the most part,
+yet piercing through them in the centre of the section, and by several
+dikes or veins, through which masses have been protruded to the surface.
+The unstratified class are all colored red, to indicate their igneous
+origin. Granite seems to have been first melted and protruded, and it
+continued to be pushed upward till the close of the secondary period of
+the stratified rocks, as is shown by the vein of granite on the section.
+Sienite and porphyry seem to have been next thrust up, from below the
+granite; next, the varieties of trap were protruded from beneath the
+porphyry; and last, the lava, which still continues to be poured out upon
+the surface from beneath all the rest.
+
+
+2. _The Stratified Rocks._
+
+The stratified rocks represented on both flanks of the granite peak in the
+section, appear to have been deposited from water, and subsequently more
+or less lifted up, fractured, and bent. An attempt is made, on the right
+hand side of the section, to exhibit the foldings and inclination of the
+strata. The lowest are bent the most, and their dip is the greatest; and,
+as a general fact, there is a gradual approach to horizontality as we rise
+on the scale.
+
+
+3. _The right hand side of the Section._
+
+The strata on the right hand are divided into five classes: first and
+lowest, the _crystalline_, or _primary_, destitute of organic remains, and
+probably metamorphosed from a sedimentary to a crystalline state, by the
+action of subjacent heat. 2. The _palaeozoic class_, or those containing
+the earliest types of animals and plants, and of vast thickness, mostly
+deposited in the ocean. 3. _The secondary class_, reaching from the top of
+the lower new red or Permian system, to the top of the chalk. 4. _The
+tertiary strata_, partially consolidated, and differing entirely from the
+rocks below by their organic contents. 5. _Alluvium_, or strata now in a
+course of deposition. This classification is sometimes convenient, and
+frequently used by geologists.
+
+
+4. _The left hand Side._
+
+On the left hand side of the section the strata are so divided as to
+correspond to the six great groups of animals and plants that have
+appeared on the globe. The names attached to the groups are derived from
+[Greek: zoos] (_vivus_, living,) with the Greek numerals prefixed. The
+lowest group, being destitute of organic remains, is called _azoic_, (from
+[Greek: a] privitive and [Greek: zoos],) that is, wanting in the traces of
+life; and corresponds to the crystalline group on the other side of the
+section, embracing gneiss, mica slate, limestone, and clay slate, of
+unknown thickness. The _protozoic group_ corresponds to the palaeozoic of
+the right hand side, and embraces lower and upper Silurian, Devonian, or
+old red sandstone, the carboniferous group, and the Permian, or lower new
+red; the whole in Great Britain not less than thirty-three thousand feet
+thick. The _deutozoic group_ consists only of the triassic, or upper new
+red sandstone, and is only nine hundred feet thick, but marks a distinct
+period of life. The _tritozoic_ embraces the lias and oolite, with the
+Wealden, and is three thousand six hundred feet thick. The _tetrazoic_
+consists of the chalk and green sand, one thousand five hundred feet
+thick. The _pentezoic_ embraces the tertiary strata of the thickness of
+two thousand feet. The _hectozoic_ is confined to the modern deposits,
+only a few hundred feet thick, but entombing all the existing species of
+animals.
+
+
+5. _Characteristic Organic Remains._
+
+Had space permitted, I should have put upon the section a reference to the
+most characteristic and peculiar mineral, animal, or plant, in the
+different groups. Thus the azoic group is _crystalliferous_, or
+crystal-bearing. The lower or Silurian part of the protozoic group is
+_brachiopodiferous_, _trilobiferous_, _polypiferous_, and
+_cephalopodiferous_; that is, abounding in brachiopod and cephalopod
+shells; in polypifers, or corals; and in trilobites, a family of
+crustaceans. The middle part, or the Devonian, is _thaumichthiferous_, or
+containing remarkable fish. The upper part, or the coal measures, is
+_carboniferous_; that is, abounding in coal. _The deutozoic group_ is
+_ichniferous_, or track-bearing, from the multitude of its fossil
+footmarks. The _tritozoic group_ is _reptiliferous_, or reptile-bearing,
+from the extraordinary lizards which abound in it. The _tetrazoic_ is
+_foraminiferous_, from the abundance of coral animalcula, called
+foraminifera, or polythalmia, which it contains. The _pentezoic_ is
+_mammaliferous_, because it contains the remains of mammalia, or
+quadrupeds. The _hectozoic_ is _homoniferous_, or man-bearing, because it
+embraces human remains.
+
+There is no one place on earth where all the facts exhibited on this
+section are presented before us together. Yet all the facts occur
+somewhere, and this section merely brings them into systematic
+arrangement.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                Page
+
+  LECTURE I.
+    REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE,                             1
+
+  LECTURE II.
+    THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH'S CREATION UNREVEALED,                 33
+
+  LECTURE III.
+    DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE
+    FROM THE BEGINNING,                                           71
+
+  LECTURE IV.
+    THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES,    112
+
+  LECTURE V.
+    THE WORLD'S SUPPOSED ETERNITY,                               146
+
+  LECTURE VI.
+    GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE,                 179
+
+  LECTURE VII.
+    DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD,           219
+
+  LECTURE VIII.
+    UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE
+    WORLD'S HISTORY,                                             252
+
+  LECTURE IX.
+    THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW,                           285
+
+  LECTURE X.
+    SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE,                           327
+
+  LECTURE XI.
+    THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH,               370
+
+  LECTURE XII.
+    THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE,                      409
+
+  LECTURE XIII.
+    THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH,                                   445
+
+  LECTURE XIV.
+    SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY APPLIED, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH,       476
+
+
+
+
+THE RELIGION OF GEOLOGY.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE I.
+
+REVELATION ILLUSTRATED BY SCIENCE.
+
+
+The leading object, which I propose in the course of lectures which I now
+commence, is to develop the relations between geology and religion. This
+cannot be done fully and fairly, however, without exhibiting also many of
+the religious bearings of several other sciences. I shall, therefore, feel
+justified in drawing illustrations and arguments from any department of
+human knowledge which may afford them. I place geology first and most
+conspicuous on the list, because I know of no other branch of physical
+science so prolific in its religious applications.
+
+In treating of this subject, I shall first exhibit the relations between
+science and revealed religion, and afterwards between science and natural
+religion; though in a few cases these two great branches cannot be kept
+entirely distinct.
+
+Geology is usually regarded as having only an unfavorable bearing upon
+revealed religion; and writers are generally satisfied if they can
+reconcile apparent discrepancies. But I regard this as an unfair
+representation; for if geology, or any other science, proves to us that
+we have not fairly understood the meaning of any passage of Scripture, it
+merely illustrates, but does not oppose, revelation.
+
+A fundamental principle of Protestant Christianity is, that the Scriptures
+of the Old and New Testaments are the only infallible standard of
+religious truth; and I desire to hold up this principle prominently at the
+outset, as one to which I cordially subscribe. The mass of evidence in
+favor of the divine inspiration of the Bible is too great to be set aside
+by any thing short of scientific demonstration. Were the Scriptures to
+teach that the whole is not equal to its parts, the mind could not,
+indeed, believe it. But if it taught a truth which was only contrary to
+the probable deductions of science, science, I say, must yield to
+Scripture; for it would be more reasonable to doubt the probabilities of a
+single science, than the various and most satisfactory evidence on which
+revelation rests. I do not believe that even the probabilities of any
+science are in collision with Scripture. But the supposition is made to
+show how strong are my convictions of the evidence and paramount authority
+of the Bible.
+
+But does it follow, from these positions, that science can throw no light
+upon the truths of Scripture? By no means; and it will be my leading
+object, in this lecture, to show how this may be done by science in
+general, and by geology in particular.
+
+In discussing this subject, we ought to bear in mind the object of
+science, and the object of revelation. And by the term science I refer
+mainly to physical science. Its grand aim is, by an induction from facts,
+to discover the laws by which the material universe is governed. Those
+laws do, indeed, lead the mind almost necessarily to their divine Author.
+But this is rather the incidental than the direct result of scientific
+investigations, and belongs rather to natural theology than to natural
+science.
+
+On the other hand, the exclusive object of revelation is of a moral
+character. It is a development of the divine character and the divine
+government; especially that part of it which discloses a plan for the
+reconciliation of a lost and wicked world to the favor of God by the death
+of his Son. Every other subject mentioned in Scripture is incidental, and
+would not have been noticed had it not some connection with the plan of
+salvation. The creation of the world and the Noachian deluge, for
+instance, are intimately related to the divine character and government,
+and therefore they are described; and the same is true of the various
+phenomena of nature which are touched upon in the Bible.
+
+If these positions be correct, it follows, that as we ought not to expect
+to find the doctrines of religion in treatises on science, so it is
+unreasonable to look for the principles of philosophy in the Bible. Nay,
+we ought not to expect to find the terms used by the Sacred writers
+employed in their strict scientific sense, but in their popular
+acceptation. Indeed, as the Scriptures were generally addressed to men in
+the earliest and most simple states of society, with very limited views of
+the extent of creation, we ought to suppose that, in all cases where no
+new fact is revealed, the language was adapted to the narrow ideas which
+then prevailed. When, for instance, the sacred writers speak of the rising
+and setting of the sun, we cannot suppose they used language with
+astronomical correctness, but only according to appearances. Hence we
+ought not to be very confident, that when they employ the term _earth_,
+they meant that spherical, vast globe which astronomy proves the earth to
+be, but rather that part of it which was inhabited, which was all the idea
+that entered into the mind of a Jew. God might, indeed, have revealed new
+scientific as well as religious truth. But there is no evidence that in
+this way he has anticipated a single modern discovery. This would have
+been turning aside from the much more important object he had in view,
+viz., to teach the world religious truth. Such being the case, the
+language employed to describe natural phenomena must have been adapted to
+the state of knowledge among the people to whom the Scriptures were
+addressed.
+
+Another inference from these premises is, that there may be an apparent
+contradiction between the statements of science and revelation. Revelation
+may describe phenomena according to apparent truth, as when it speaks of
+the rising and setting of the sun, and the immobility of the earth; but
+science describes the same according to the actual truth, as when it gives
+a real motion to the earth, and only an apparent motion to the heavens.
+Had the language of revelation been scientifically accurate, it would have
+defeated the object for which the Scriptures were given; for it must have
+anticipated scientific discovery, and therefore have been unintelligible
+to those ignorant of such discoveries. Or if these had been explained by
+inspiration, the Bible would have become a text-book in natural science,
+rather than a guide to eternal life.
+
+The final conclusion from these principles is, that since science and
+revelation treat of the same subjects only incidentally, we ought only to
+expect that the facts of science, rightly understood, should not
+contradict the statements of revelation, correctly interpreted. Apparent
+discrepancies there may be; and it would not be strange, if for a time
+they should seem to be real; either because science has not fully and
+accurately disclosed the facts, or the Bible is not correctly
+interpreted; but if both records are from God, there can be no real
+contradiction between them. But, on the other hand, we have no reason to
+expect any remarkable coincidences, because the general subject and object
+of the two records are so unlike. Should such coincidences occur, however,
+they will render it less probable that any apparent disagreement is real.
+
+If the positions taken in these preliminary remarks be correct, it will
+follow, that in judging of the agreement or disagreement between
+revelation and science, it is important, in the first place, that we
+rightly understand the Bible; and, in the second place, that we carefully
+ascertain what are the settled and demonstrated principles of science. An
+examination of these points will constitute the remainder of this lecture.
+
+The meaning of the Scriptures is to be determined in the same way as the
+meaning of any other book written in similar circumstances. Its
+inspiration puts no bar in the way of the most rigid application of the
+rules of criticism, nor renders it unnecessary to seek for light in
+whatever quarter it can be obtained. The rules of grammatical and
+rhetorical construction, the study of contemporary writers, a knowledge of
+the history, customs, opinions, and prejudices of the times, and other
+circumstances that need not be mentioned, become important means of
+attaining the true _usus loquendi_, or principle of interpretation. But I
+pass by all these on the present occasion, because no one doubts their
+importance in rightly understanding the Bible. I maintain that scientific
+discoveries furnish us with another means of its correct interpretation,
+where it describes natural phenomena. And in this position we shall not
+probably find an entire unanimity of opinion. Let us, therefore, proceed
+to examine its truth.
+
+It will not be denied that modern science has corrected the opinions of
+men in regard to very many natural phenomena. The same term that conveyed
+one idea to an ancient reader, or hearer, of the Bible, often conveys an
+opposite meaning to a modern ear. And yet that term may be very proper to
+use in modern times, if understood to express only apparent, and not real
+truth. The Jew understood it to mean the latter; and it would seem as if
+we might employ modern scientific discovery to enable us to decide in
+which sense the Bible did use the term. For if we admit the Jew to have
+been correct in his interpretation, then we bring revelation into direct
+collision with the demonstrations of physics.
+
+But facts are vastly more satisfactory in deciding this question than
+reasoning, and I shall now proceed to adduce some examples in which modern
+scientific discovery has thrown light upon the meaning of the Bible.
+
+For one or two examples I appeal to chemistry. In the book of Proverbs,
+(chap. 25, v. 20,) we find it said, that _as vinegar upon nitre, so is he
+that singeth songs to a heavy heart_. We should expect from this statement
+that when we put vinegar upon what we call nitre, it would produce some
+commotion analogous to the excitement of song-singing. But we should try
+the experiment in vain; for no effect whatever would be produced. Again,
+it is said by the prophet Jeremiah, (chap. 2, v. 22,) _Though thou wash
+thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked
+before me, saith the Lord._ Here, too, we should expect that the use of
+the nitre would increase the purifying power of the soap; but the
+experiment would prove rather the reverse. The chemist, however, informs
+us that there is a substance, viz., the _carbonate of soda_, which, if
+substituted for the nitre, would effervesce with vinegar, and aid the
+purifying power of soap, and thus strikingly illustrate the thought both
+of Solomon and Jeremiah. And on recurring to the original, we find that
+[Hebrew] (nether, _nitrum_, _natrum_) does not necessarily mean the salt
+which we call nitre, but rather a fossil alkali, the _natron_ of the
+ancients, and the carbonate of soda of the moderns.
+
+It is probably the prevailing opinion among intelligent Christians at this
+time, and has been the opinion of many commentators, that when Peter
+describes the future destruction of the world, he means that its solid
+substance, and indeed that of the whole material universe, will be utterly
+consumed or annihilated by fire. This opinion rests upon the common belief
+that such is the effect of combustion. But chemistry informs us, that no
+case of combustion, how fiercely soever the fire may rage, annihilates the
+least particle of matter; and that fire only changes the form of
+substances. Nay, there is no reason whatever to suppose that one particle
+of matter has been annihilated since the world began. The chemist moreover
+asserts that all the solid parts of the globe have already undergone
+combustion, and that although heat may melt them, it cannot burn them. Nor
+is there any thing upon or within the earth capable of combustion, but
+vegetables, and animals, and a few gases. Has Peter, then, made a mistake
+because he did not understand modern chemistry? We have only to examine
+his language carefully, as it seems to me, in order to be satisfied that
+he means only, that whatsoever upon, or within, the earth, is combustible,
+will be burned up at the final conflagration; and that the whole globe,
+the _elements_, _will melt with fervent heat_. He nowhere asserts, or
+implies, that one particle of matter will be annihilated by that
+catastrophe. Thus science, instead of proving his statements to be
+erroneous, only enables us more correctly to understand them.
+
+Scarcely any truth seems more clearly taught in the Bible than the future
+resurrection of the body. Yet this doctrine has always been met by a most
+formidable objection. It is said that the body laid in the grave is ere
+long decomposed into its elements, which are scattered over the face of
+the earth, and enter into new combinations, even forming a part of other
+human bodies. Hence not even Omnipotence can raise from the grave the
+identical body laid there, because the particles may enter successively
+into a multitude of other human bodies. I am not aware that any successful
+reply has ever been given to this objection, until chemistry and natural
+history taught us the true nature of bodily identity; and until recently
+the objector has felt sure that he had triumphed. But these sciences teach
+us that the identity of the body consists, not in a sameness of particles,
+but in the same kinds of elementary matter, combined in the same
+proportion, and having the same form and structure. Hence it is not
+necessary that the resurrection body should contain a single particle of
+the matter laid in the grave, in order to be the same body; which it will
+be if it consist of the same kinds of matter combined in the same
+proportions, and has the same form and structure. For the particles of our
+bodies are often totally changed during our lives; yet no one imagines
+that the old man has not the same body as in infancy.[2] What but the
+principles of science could have thus vindicated a precious doctrine of
+revelation?
+
+In the description which Paul gives of the spiritual body, a
+naturalist,--and I fancy no one but a naturalist,--will discover its
+specific identity. By this I mean that it will possess peculiarities that
+distinguish it from every thing else, but which are so closely related to
+the characteristics of the natural body in this world, from which it was
+derived, that one acquainted with the latter would recognize the former.
+Hence the Christian's friends in another world may be recognized by him
+from their external characters, just as we identify the plants and animals
+of spring with those that seemed to perish in the preceding autumn. There
+is neither time nor room for the proof of this exegesis, which is founded
+chiefly upon the principles of natural history; but for their elucidation,
+I must refer to another place.[3]
+
+I take my next example from meteorology. It was the opinion of the
+ancients that the earth, at a certain height, was surrounded by a
+transparent hollow sphere of solid matter, which they called the
+firmament. When rain descended, they supposed it was through windows, or
+holes, made in this crystalline curtain suspended in mid heaven. To these
+notions the language of the Bible is frequently conformed. In the account
+of the creation, in Genesis, we have a description of the formation of
+this firmament, and how it divided the waters below it, viz., the ocean,
+lakes, and rivers, from the waters above it, viz., the clouds. Again, in
+the account of the deluge, the windows of heaven are said to have been
+opened. But it is hardly necessary to say, that meteorology has shown
+that no such solid firmament exists over our heads; that, in fact, nothing
+but one homogeneous, transparent atmosphere encloses the earth, in which
+the clouds float at different altitudes at different times. Are we, then,
+to suppose that the sacred writers meant to teach as certain truth, the
+fiction of a solid firmament; or that on this subject they conformed their
+language to the prevailing belief, because it was not their object to
+teach philosophy, meaning neither to assert nor to deny the existence of a
+solid firmament, but using language that was optically, although not
+physically, correct, and which, therefore, conformed to the general
+belief? It is doubtful whether any thing but scientific discovery could
+enable us to decide this question. But since it is certain that the solid
+firmament does not exist, we must admit that the Bible did not intend to
+teach its existence, or allow it to teach a falsehood; and since we know
+that it does often speak, in natural things, according to apparent, and
+not real truth, it is most reasonable to give such a construction to its
+language in the present instance.
+
+But the most decisive example I have to give on this subject is derived
+from astronomy. Until the time of Copernicus, no opinion respecting
+natural phenomena was thought more firmly established, than that the earth
+is fixed immovably in the centre of the universe, and that the heavenly
+bodies move diurnally around it. To sustain this view, the most decided
+language of Scripture could be quoted. God is there said to have
+_established the foundations of the earth, so that they could not be
+removed forever_; and the sacred writers expressly declare that the sun
+and other heavenly bodies _arise and set_, and nowhere allude to any
+proper motion in the earth. And those statements corresponded exactly to
+the testimony of the senses. Men felt the earth to be immovably firm
+under their feet, and when they looked up, they saw the heavenly bodies
+in motion. What bold impiety, therefore, did it seem, even to men of
+liberal and enlightened minds, for any one to rise up and assert that all
+this testimony of the Bible and of the senses was to be set aside! It is
+easy to conceive with what strong jealousy the friends of the Bible would
+look upon the new science which was thus arraying itself in bold defiance
+of inspiration, and how its votaries would be branded as infidels in
+disguise. We need not resort to Catholic intolerance to explain how it
+was, that the new doctrine of the earth's motion should be denounced as
+the most fatal heresy, as alike contrary to Scripture and sound
+philosophy, and that even the venerable Galileo should be forced to recant
+it upon his knees. What though the astronomer stood ready with his
+diagrams and formulas to demonstrate the motion of the earth; who would
+calmly and impartially examine the claims of a scientific discovery,
+which, by its very announcement, threw discredit upon the Bible and the
+senses, and contradicted the unanimous opinion of the wise and good,--of
+all mankind, indeed,--through all past centuries? Rather would the
+distinguished theologians of the day set their ingenuity at work to frame
+an argument in opposition to the dangerous neology, that should fall upon
+it like an avalanche, and grind it to powder. And to show you how firm and
+irresistible such an argument would seem, we need no longer tax the
+imagination; for Francis Turretin, a distinguished Protestant professor of
+theology, whose writings have even to the present day sustained no mean
+reputation, has left us an argument on the subject, compacted and arranged
+according to the nicest rules of logic, and which he supposed would stand
+unrefuted as long as the authority of the Bible should be regarded among
+men. He propounds the inquiry, "Do the sun and moon move in the heavens
+and revolve around the earth, while the earth remains at rest?" This he
+affirms, "in opposition to certain philosophers," and sustains his
+position by the following arguments: "First. The sun is said [in
+Scripture] to move in the heavens, and to rise and set. (Ps. 19, v. 5.)
+The sun is _as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
+strong man to run a race_. (Ps. 104, v. 19.) _The sun knoweth his going
+down._ (Eccles. 1, v. 5.) _The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down._
+Secondly. The sun, by a miracle, stood still in the time of Joshua.
+(Joshua, ch. 10, v. 12, 13, 14,) and by a miracle it went back in the time
+of Hezekiah. (Isa. ch. 38, v. 8.) Thirdly. The earth is said to be _fixed
+immovably_. (Ps. 93, v. 1.) _The world also is established, that it cannot
+be moved._ (Ps. 104, v. 5.) _Who laid the foundations of the earth, that
+it should not be removed forever._ (Ps. 119, v. 90, 91.) _Thou hast
+established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to
+thine ordinances._ Fourthly. Neither could birds, which often fly off
+through an hour's circuit, be able to return to their nests; for in the
+mean time the earth would move four hundred and fifty of our miles.
+Fifthly. Whatever flies or is suspended in the air ought [by this theory]
+to move from west to east; but this is proved not to be true from birds,
+arrows shot forth, atoms made manifest in the sun, and down floating in
+the atmosphere."
+
+If it be replied to this reasoning that the Scripture, in natural things,
+speaks according to the common opinion, Turretin answers, "First, that the
+spirit of God best understands natural things; secondly, that, in giving
+instruction in religion, he meant these things should be used, not abused;
+thirdly, that he is not the author of any error; fourthly, neither is he
+to be corrected on this pretence by our blind reason."
+
+If it be replied that birds, the air, and all things are moved with the
+earth, he answers, "First, that this is a mere fiction, since air is a
+fluid body; and secondly, if so, by what force would birds be able to go
+from east to west."--_Compendium Theologicae Didactico-Elencticae_,
+(Amsterdam, 1695.)
+
+In the present state of knowledge we may smile at some of these arguments;
+but to men who had been taught to believe, as in a self-evident principle,
+that the earth was immovable and the heavenly bodies in motion, the most
+of them must have been entirely satisfactory; and especially must the
+Scriptures have seemed in _point blank_ opposition to the astronomical
+heresy. What, then, has so completely annihilated this argument, that now
+the merest schoolboy would be ashamed to advocate it? The clear
+demonstrations of science have done it. Not only has the motion of the
+earth been established, but it has been made equally obvious that this
+truth is in entire harmony with the language of Scripture; so that neither
+the infidel nor the Christian ever suspect, on this ground, any collision
+between the two records. So soon as the philologist perceived that there
+was no escape from the astronomical demonstration, he was led to reexamine
+his interpretation of Scripture, and found that the whole difficulty lay
+in his assuming that the sacred writers intended to teach scientific
+instead of popular truth. Only admitting that they spoke of astronomical
+phenomena, according to appearances and in conformity to common opinion,
+and their language became perfectly proper. It conveyed no error, and is
+in fact as well adapted now as ever to the common intercourse of life.
+Yet, in consequence of the scientific discovery, that language conveys
+quite a different meaning to our minds from what it did to those who
+supposed it to teach a scientific truth. Hence it strikingly illustrates
+the value of scientific discovery in enabling us rightly to understand the
+Bible.
+
+Is it necessary to quote any more examples to establish the principle that
+scientific discovery is one of the means which the philologist should
+employ in the interpretation of Scripture? And if the principle has been
+found of service in chemistry, meteorology, and astronomy, why should it
+be neglected in the case of geology? Why should not this science also,
+which has probably more important religious bearings than any other, be
+appealed to in illustration of the meaning of Scripture, when phenomena
+are described of which geology takes cognizance? I know that some will
+reply, that the principles of geology are yet too unsettled to be allowed
+to modify the interpretation of the Bible. This brings me to the second
+part of my subject, in which I am to inquire whether the principles of
+physical science, and of geology in particular, are so far settled that we
+can feel ourselves upon firm ground as we compare them with the principles
+of revelation.
+
+Before proceeding to this part of the subject, however, I must pause a
+moment, in order to point out another mode, in which science may
+contribute to elucidate Scripture. In the way just described, it may
+enable the interpreter more correctly to understand the language, but it
+may also give a fuller illustration to the sentiments of the Bible.
+Revelation, for instance, represents God as benevolent. Now, if we can
+derive from the records of geology striking and hitherto unthought-of
+manifestations of this attribute, we shall make the doctrine of Scripture
+more impressive; or, if we appeal to the numerous changes which the earth
+has undergone, and the vast periods which they have occupied, we find that
+the unsearchableness of divine wisdom, and the vastness of the divine
+plans, are brought more vividly before the mind, and task its power of
+comprehension more than illustrations from any other quarter. In short,
+the principles of religion that derive important elucidation from science,
+and especially from geology, are very numerous, as I hope to show in
+subsequent lectures. But I now return to the inquiry, whether the
+principles of science, and especially of geology, are so well settled that
+we can employ them in this manner.
+
+As to the more mathematical sciences, there will be no one to doubt but
+some of their principles must be admitted as infallible truth; for our
+minds are so constituted that they are incapable of resisting a fair
+presentation of mathematical demonstration. Now, there is scarcely any
+physical science that is not based more or less upon mathematical truth;
+and as to the facts in those sciences, some of them are so multiplied, and
+speak so uniformly the same language, that we doubt them no more than we
+do a mathematical demonstration. Other classes of facts are less decided;
+and in some cases they are so insulated as to be regarded as anomalies, to
+be set aside until better understood. The same grades of certainty exist
+in respect to inferences from the facts of science. Some theories are
+scarcely less doubtful than mathematics; others are as strong as probable
+reasoning can make them; and others are merely plausible. Hypotheses are
+still less to be trusted, though sometimes extremely probable.
+
+Now, most of the physical sciences embrace facts, theories, and
+hypotheses, that range widely along the scale of probability, from decided
+demonstration to ingenious conjecture. It is easy, however, in general, to
+distinguish the demonstrated and the permanent from the conjectural and
+the fanciful; and when we bring the principles of any science into
+comparison with religion, it is chiefly the former that should be
+considered, although scientific hypothesis may sometimes be made to
+illustrate religious hypothesis. But, passing by all other sciences, it is
+my desire to present before you, on this occasion, the claims of geology,
+as having fundamental principles so well settled that they claim attention
+from the interpreter of the Bible. I ought, however, to remark, that there
+exists a strange jealousy of this science even among intelligent men; a
+suspicion that its votaries have jumped at strange and dangerous
+conclusions through the influence of hypothesis, and that in fact the
+whole science is little else but hypothesis, and that there is almost no
+agreement even among its ablest cultivators. It is indeed a comparatively
+recent science, and its remarkable developments have succeeded one another
+so rapidly, as to leave men in doubt whether it would not prove a dazzling
+meteor, instead of a steady and permanent luminary. When the men who are
+now in the full maturity of judgment and reason, (and whose favorable
+opinion I am, therefore, anxious above that of all others to secure,) when
+these were young, geology did not constitute a branch of finished
+education; and amid the pressure of the cares and duties of middle life,
+how few find the leisure, to say nothing of the disposition, carefully to
+investigate a new and extensive science! Even though younger men should be
+found standing forth as the advocates of geology, yet how natural for
+those more advanced to impute this to the ardor and love of novelty,
+characteristic of youth!
+
+There is another difficulty, in relation to this subject, that embarrasses
+me. It is not even yet generally understood that geology is a branch of
+knowledge which requires long and careful study fully to understand; that
+a previous knowledge of many other sciences is indispensable in order to
+comprehend its reasonings; that its reasonings are in fact, for the most
+part, to be mastered only by long and patient consideration; and finally,
+and more especially, that they will appear inconclusive and feeble, unless
+a man has become somewhat familiar with specimens of rocks and fossils,
+and has examined strata as they lie in the earth. How very imperfect must
+be the most intelligent man's knowledge of botany, who had never examined
+any plants; or of chemistry, who had not seen any of the simple
+substances, nor experiments upon them in the laboratory; or of
+crystallography, whose eyes had perhaps never rested upon a crystal. No
+less important is it that he, who would reason correctly about rocks and
+their organic contents, should have studied rocks. But upon such an amount
+of knowledge it is no disparagement to say we have no right to presume in
+all, even of publicly educated men. Before such a state of preparation can
+exist, it is necessary that practical geology, at least, should be
+introduced into our schools of every grade, as it might be with great
+success.
+
+It ought to be mentioned, in this connection, that, within a few years
+past, geology has experienced several severe attacks of a peculiar
+character. Men of respectable ability, and decided friends of revelation,
+having got fully impressed with the belief that the views of geologists
+are hostile to the Bible, have set themselves to an examination of their
+writings, not so much with a view of understanding the subject, as of
+finding contradictions and untenable positions. The next step has been to
+write a book against geology, abounding, as we might expect from men of
+warm temperament, of such prejudices, and without a practical knowledge of
+geology, with striking misapprehensions of facts and opinions, with
+positive and dogmatic assertions, with severe personal insinuations, great
+ignorance of correct reasoning in geology, and the substitution of wild
+and extravagant hypotheses for geological theories.
+
+Hence English literature has been prolific of such works as "A Comparative
+Estimate of the Mineral and Mosaic Geologies," by Granville Penn; the
+"Geology of Scripture," by Fairholme; "Scriptural Geology," by Dr. Young;
+"Popular Geology subversive of Divine Revelation," by Rev. Henry Cole;
+"Strictures on Geology and Astronomy," by Rev. R. Wilson; "Scripture
+Evidences of Creation, and Geology, and Scripture Cosmogony," by anonymous
+authors; and many other similar productions that might be named. The warm
+zeal displayed, and doubtless felt, by these writers for the Bible; their
+familiar reference to eminent geological authors, as if they understood
+them; the skill in philology, which they frequently exhibit; and the want
+of a wide-spread and accurate knowledge of geology in the community,--have
+given to these works a far more extensive circulation than those works
+have had, which view geology as illustrating and not opposing revelation.
+Foremost among these is the lectures of the venerable and learned Dr. John
+Pye Smith, late principal of the Homerton Divinity College, London, "On
+the Relations between the Holy Scriptures and some Parts of Geological
+Science."[4] This work, the result of long and patient research, and
+emanating from a man of eminent piety as well as learning, affords a full
+refutation of all the works that have been named, and in the kindness and
+candor of its spirit exhibits a fine contrast to their intolerance and
+dogmatism. In the profound works of Dr. Harris, entitled "The Pre-Adamite
+Earth," and "Man Primeval," the connections of geology and revelation are
+briefly but ably treated, and also its connection with natural religion.
+Quite recently, a small and more popular work on this subject has been
+published by Rev. David King, LL. D., of Glasgow, well worthy of
+attention. "The Course of Creation," by Rev. John Anderson, D.D. of recent
+publication, displays much learning and candor. But the causes that have
+been mentioned have secured a much wider circulation for the class of
+works first named, than for the latter, among the religious community
+generally. The consequence is, that the public mind is possessed of many
+prejudices unfavorable to the religious bearings of geology, and
+unfavorable to an impartial examination of its claims.
+
+Under these circumstances, all that I can do is to state definitely what I
+apprehend to be the established principles of the science that have a
+bearing upon religious truth, and refer my hearers to standard works on
+the subject for the proof that they are true. If any will not take the
+trouble to examine the proofs, I trust they will have candor and
+impartiality enough not to deny my positions.
+
+The first important conclusion, to which every careful observer will come,
+is, that the rocks of all sorts, which compose the present crust of the
+globe, so far as it has been explored, at least to the depth of several
+miles, appear to have been the result of second causes; that is, they are
+now in a different state from that in which they were originally created.
+
+It is indeed a favorite idea with some, that all the rocks and their
+contents were created just as we now meet them, in a moment of time; that
+the supposed remains of animals and plants, which many of them contain,
+and which occur in all states, from an animal or plant little changed, to
+a complete conversion into stone, were never real animals and plants, but
+only resemblances; and that the marks of fusion and of the wearing of
+water, exhibited by the rocks, are not to be taken as evidences that they
+have undergone such processes, but only that it has pleased God to give
+them that appearance and that in fact it was as easy for God to create
+them just as they now are as in any other form.
+
+It is a presumption against such a supposition, that no men, who have
+carefully examined rocks and organic remains, are its advocates. Not that
+they doubt the power of God to produce such effects, but they deny the
+probability that He has exerted it in this manner; for throughout nature,
+wherever they have an opportunity to witness her operations, they find
+that when substances appear to have undergone changes, by means of
+secondary agencies, they have in fact undergone them; and, therefore, the
+whole analogy of nature goes to prove that the rocks have experienced
+great changes since their deposition. If rocks are an exception to the
+rest of nature,--that is, if they are the effect of miraculous
+agency,--there is no proof of it; and to admit it without proof is to
+destroy all grounds of analogical reasoning in natural operations; in
+other words, it is to remove the entire basis of reasoning in physical
+science. Every reasonable man, therefore, who has examined rocks, will
+admit that they have undergone important changes since their original
+formation.
+
+In the second place, the same general laws appear to have always prevailed
+on the globe, and to have controlled the changes which have taken place
+upon and within it. We come to no spot, in the history of the rocks, in
+which a system different from that which now prevails appears to have
+existed. Great peculiarities in the structure of animals and plants do
+indeed occur, as well as changes on a scale of magnitude unknown at
+present; but this was only a wise adaptation to peculiar circumstances,
+and not an infringement of the general laws.
+
+In the third place, the geological changes which the earth has undergone,
+and is now undergoing, appear to have been the result of the same
+agencies, viz., heat and water.
+
+Fourthly. It is demonstrated that the present continents of the globe,
+with perhaps the exception of some of their highest mountains, have for a
+long period constituted the bottom of the ocean, and have been
+subsequently either elevated into their present position, or the waters
+have been drained off from their surface. This is probably the most
+important principle in geology; and though regarded with much scepticism
+by many, it is as satisfactorily proved as any principle of physical
+science not resting on mathematical demonstration.
+
+Fifthly. The internal parts of the earth are found to possess a very high
+temperature; nor can it be doubted that at least oceans of melted matter
+exist beneath the crust, and perhaps even all the deep-seated interior is
+in a state of fusion.
+
+Sixthly. The fossiliferous rocks, or such as contain animals and plants,
+are not less than six or seven miles in perpendicular thickness, and are
+composed of hundreds of alternating layers of different kinds, all of
+which appear to have been deposited, just as rocks are now forming, at the
+bottom of lakes and seas; and hence their deposition must have occupied an
+immense period of time. Even if we admit that this deposition went on in
+particular places much faster than at present, a variety of facts forbids
+the supposition that this was the general mode of their formation.
+
+Seventhly. The remains of animals and plants found in the earth are not
+mingled confusedly together, but are found arranged, for the most part, in
+as much order as the drawers of a well-regulated cabinet. In general, they
+appear to have lived and died on or near the spots where they are now
+found; and as countless millions of these remains are often found piled
+together, so as to form almost entire mountains, the periods requisite
+for their formation must have been immensely long, as was taught in the
+preceding proposition.
+
+Eighthly. Still further confirmation of the same important principle is
+found in the well-established fact, that there have been upon the globe,
+previous to the existing races, not less than five distinct periods of
+organized existence; that is, five great groups of animals and plants, so
+completely independent that no species whatever is found in more than one
+of them, have lived and successively passed away before the creation of
+the races that now occupy the surface. Other standard writers make the
+number of these periods of existence as many as twelve. Comparative
+anatomy testifies that so unlike in structure were these different groups,
+that they could not have coexisted in the same climate and other external
+circumstances.
+
+Ninthly. In the earliest times in which animals and plants lived, the
+climate over the whole globe appears to have been as warm as, or even
+warmer than, it is now between the tropics. And the slow change from
+warmer to colder appears to have been the chief cause of the successive
+destruction of the different races; and new ones were created, better
+adapted to the altered condition of the globe; and yet each group seems to
+have occupied the globe through a period of great length, so that we have
+here another evidence of the vast cycles of duration that must have rolled
+away even since the earth became a habitable globe.
+
+Tenthly. There is no small reason to suppose that the globe underwent
+numerous changes previous to the time when animals were placed upon it;
+that, in fact, the time was when the whole matter of the earth was in a
+melted state, and not improbably also even in a gaseous state. These
+points, indeed, are not as well established as the others that have been
+mentioned; but, if admitted, they give to the globe an incalculable
+antiquity.
+
+Eleventhly. It appears that the present condition of the earth's crust and
+surface was of comparatively recent commencement; otherwise the steep
+flanks of mountains would have ceased to crumble down, and wide oceans
+would have been filled with alluvial deposits.
+
+Twelfthly. Among the thirty thousand species of animals and plants found
+in the rocks,[5] very few living species have been detected; and even
+these few occur in the most recent rocks, while in the secondary group,
+not less than six miles thick, not a single species now on the globe has
+been discovered. Hence the present races did not exist till after those in
+the secondary rocks had died. No human remains have been found below those
+alluvial deposits which are now forming by rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
+Hence geology infers that man was one of the latest animals that was
+placed on the globe.
+
+Thirteenthly. The surface of the earth has undergone an enormous amount of
+erosion by the action of the ocean, the rivers, and the atmosphere. The
+ocean has worn away the solid rock, in some parts of the world, not less
+than ten thousand feet in depth, and rivers have cut channels through the
+hardest strata, hundreds of feet deep and several miles long; both of
+which effects demand periods inconceivably long.
+
+Fourteenthly. At a comparatively recent date, northern and southern
+regions have been swept over and worn down by the joint action of ice and
+water, the force in general having been directed towards the equator.
+This is called the _drift_ period.
+
+Fifteenthly. Since the drift period, the ocean has stood some thousands of
+feet above its present level in many countries.
+
+Sixteenthly. There is evidence, in regard to some parts of the world, that
+the continents are now experiencing slow vertical movements--some places
+sinking, and others rising. And hence a presumption is derived that, in
+early times, such changes may have been often repeated, and on a great
+scale.
+
+Seventeenthly. Every successive change of importance on the earth's
+surface appears to have been an improvement of its condition, adapting it
+to beings of a higher organization, and to man at last, the most perfect
+of all.
+
+Finally. The present races of animals and plants on the globe are for the
+most part disposed in groups, occupying particular districts, beyond whose
+limits the species peculiar to those provinces usually droop and die. The
+same is true, to some extent, as to the animals and plants found in the
+rocks; though the much greater uniformity of climate, that prevailed in
+early times, permitted organized beings to take a much wider range than at
+present; so that the zoological and botanical districts were then probably
+much wider. But the general conclusion, in respect to living and extinct
+animals, is, that there must have been several centres of creation, from
+which they emigrated as far as their natures would allow them to range.
+
+It would be easy to state more principles of geology of considerable
+importance; but I have now named the principal ones that bear upon the
+subject of religion. A brief statement of the leading truths of theology,
+whether natural or revealed, which these principles affect, and on which
+they cast light, will give an idea of the subjects which I propose to
+discuss in these lectures.
+
+The first point relates to the age of the world. For while it has been the
+usual interpretation of the Mosaic account, that the world was brought
+into existence nearly at the same time with man and the other existing
+animals, geology throws back its creation to a period indefinitely but
+immeasurably remote. The question is not whether man has existed on the
+globe longer than the common interpretation of Genesis requires,--for here
+geology and the Bible speak the same language,--but whether the globe
+itself did not exist long before his creation; that is, long before the
+six days' work, so definitely described in the Mosaic account? In other
+words, is not this a case in which the discoveries of science enable us
+more accurately to understand the Scriptures?
+
+The introduction of death into the world, and the specific character of
+that death described in Scripture as the consequence of sin, are the next
+points where geology touches the subject of religion. Here, too, the
+general interpretation of Scripture is at variance with the facts of
+geology, which distinctly testify to the occurrence of death among animals
+long before the existence of man. Shall geology here, also, be permitted
+to modify our exposition of the Bible?
+
+The subject of deluges, and especially that of Noah, will next claim our
+attention. For though it is now generally agreed that geology cannot
+detect traces of such a deluge as the Scriptures describe, yet upon some
+other bearings of that subject it does cast light; and so remarkable is
+the history of opinions concerning the Noachian deluge, that it could not
+on that account alone be properly passed in silence.
+
+It is well known that the philosophy of antiquity, almost without
+exception, regarded matter as eternal; and in modern times, metaphysical
+theology has done its utmost to refute the supposed dangerous dogma.
+Geology affords us some new views of the subject; and although it does not
+directly refute the doctrine, it brings before us facts of such a nature
+as to show, that, so far as religion is concerned, such a refutation is of
+little importance. This will furnish another theme of discussion.
+
+It may be thought extravagant, but I hazard the assertion, that no science
+is so prolific of direct testimony to the benevolence of the Deity as
+geology; and some of its facts bear strongly upon the objections to this
+doctrine. So important a subject will, therefore, occupy at least one or
+two lectures.
+
+In all ages, philosophers have, in one form or another, endeavored to
+explain the origin and the phenomena of creation by a power inherent in
+nature, independent of a personal Deity, usually denominated _natural
+law_. And in modern times this hypothesis has assumed a popular form and a
+plausible dress. Not less than one lecture is demanded for its
+examination, especially as its advocates appeal with special confidence to
+geology for its support.
+
+In existing nature, no one fact stands out more prominently than unity of
+design; and it is an interesting inquiry, whether the same general system
+prevailed through the vast periods of geological history as that which now
+adorns our globe. This question I shall endeavor to answer in the
+affirmative, by appealing to a multitude of facts.
+
+Another question of deep interest in theology is, whether the Deity
+exercises over the world any special providence; whether he ever
+interferes with the usual order of things by introducing change; or
+whether he has committed nature to the control of unalterable laws,
+without any direct efficiency. Light is thrown on these points by the
+researches of geology, if I mistake not; and I shall not fail to attempt
+its development.
+
+This science also discloses to us many new views of the vast plans of the
+Deity, and thus enlarges our conceptions of his wisdom and knowledge. In
+this field we must allow ourselves to wander in search of the golden
+fruit.
+
+In the course of the discussion, we shall direct our attention to the new
+heavens and the new earth described in the Bible, and inquire whether
+geology does not cast a glimpse of light upon that difficult subject.
+
+In approaching the close of our subject, we shall introduce a few lectures
+having a wider range, and deriving less elucidation from geology than from
+other sciences. One is a consideration of the physical effects of human
+actions upon the universe. And in conclusion of the whole subject, we
+shall endeavor to show that the bearings of all science, when rightly
+understood, are eminently favorable to religion, both in this world and
+the next.
+
+With a few miscellaneous inferences from the principles advanced, I shall
+close this lecture.
+
+In the first place, we see that the points of connection between geology
+and religion are numerous and important. A few years since, geology,
+instead of being appealed to for the illustration of religious truth, was
+regarded with great jealousy, as a repository of views favorable to
+infidelity, and even to atheism. But if the summary which I have exhibited
+of its religious relations be correct, from what other science can we
+obtain so many illustrations of natural and revealed religion?
+Distinguished Christian writers are beginning to gather fruit in this new
+field, and the clusters already presented us by such men as Dr. Chalmers,
+Dr. Pye Smith, Dr. Buckland, Dr. Harris, and Dr. King, are an earnest of
+an abundant harvest. I hazard the prediction that the time is not far
+distant when it will be said of this, as of another noble science, "The
+undevout _geologist_ is mad."
+
+Secondly. I would bespeak the candid attention of those sceptical minds,
+that are ever ready to imagine discrepancies between science and religion,
+to the views which I am about to present. The number of such is indeed
+comparatively small; yet there are still some prepared to seize upon every
+new scientific fact, before it is fully developed, that can be made to
+assume the appearance of opposition to religion. It is strange that they
+should not ere this time despair of making any serious impression upon the
+citadel of Christianity. For of all the numerous assaults of this kind
+that have been made, not one has destroyed even an outpost of religion.
+Just so soon as the subject was fully understood, every one of them has
+been abandoned; and even the most violent unbeliever never thinks, at the
+present day, of arraying them against the Bible. One needs no prophetic
+inspiration to be confident that every geological objection to
+Christianity, which perhaps now and then an unbeliever of limited
+knowledge still employs, will pass into the same limbo of forgetfulness.
+
+Finally. I would throw out a caution to those friends of religion who are
+very fearful that the discoveries of science will prove injurious to
+Christianity. Why should the enlightened Christian, who has a correct idea
+of the firm foundation on which the Bible rests, fear that any disclosures
+of the arcana of nature should shake its authority or weaken its
+influence? Is not the God of revelation the God of nature also? and must
+not his varied works tend to sustain and elucidate, instead of weakening
+and darkening, one another? Has Christianity suffered because the
+Copernican system of astronomy has proved true, or because chemistry has
+demonstrated that the earth is already for the most part oxidized, and
+therefore cannot literally be burned hereafter? Just as much as gold
+suffers by passing through the furnace. Yet how many fears agitated the
+hearts of pious men when these scientific truths were first announced! The
+very men who felt so strong a conviction of the truth of the Bible, that
+they were ready to go to the stake in its defence, have trembled and
+uttered loud notes of warning when the votaries of science have brought
+out some new fact, that seemed perhaps at first, or when partially
+understood, to contravene some statement of revelation. The effect has
+been to make sceptical minds look with suspicion, and sometimes with
+contempt, upon Christianity itself. It has built up a wall of separation
+between science and religion, which is yet hardly broken down. For
+notwithstanding the instructive history of the past on this subject,
+although every supposed discrepancy between philosophy and religion has
+vanished as soon as both were thoroughly understood, yet so soon as
+geology began to develop her marvellous truths, the cry of danger to
+religion became again the watchword, and the precursor of a more extended
+and severe attack upon that science than any other has ever experienced,
+and the prelude, I am sorry to say, of severe personal charges of
+infidelity against many an honest friend of religion.
+
+In contrast to the contracted views and groundless fears that have been
+described, it is refreshing to meet with such sentiments as the following,
+from men eminent for learning, and some of them veterans in theological
+science. With these I close this lecture.
+
+"Those rocks which stand forth in the order of their formation," says Dr.
+Chalmers, "and are each imprinted with their own peculiar fossil remains,
+have been termed the archives of nature, where she hath recorded the
+changes that have taken place in the history of the globe. They are made
+to serve the purpose of scrolls or inscriptions, on which we might read of
+those great steps and successions by which the earth has been brought into
+its present state; and should these archives of nature be but truly
+deciphered, we are not afraid of their being openly confronted with the
+archives of revelation. It is unmanly to blink the approach of light, from
+whatever quarter of observation it may fall upon us; and those are not the
+best friends of Christianity, who feel either dislike or alarm when the
+torch of science, or the torch of history, is held up to the Bible. For
+ourselves, we are not afraid when the eye of an intrepid, if it be only a
+sound philosophy, scrutinizes, however jealously, all its pages. We have
+no dread of any apprehended conflict between the doctrines of Scripture
+and the discoveries of science, persuaded, as we are, that whatever story
+the geologists of our day shall find engraven on the volume of nature, it
+will only accredit that story which is graven on the volume of
+revelation."--_Chalmers's Works_, vol. ii. p. 227.
+
+"For our own part," says Rev. Henry Melville, "we have no fears that any
+discoveries of science will really militate against the disclosures of
+Scripture. We remember how, in darker days, ecclesiastics set themselves
+against philosophers who were investigating the motions of the heavenly
+bodies, apprehensive that the new theories were at variance with the
+Bible, and therefore resolved to denounce them as heresies, and stop their
+spread by persecution. But truth triumphed; bigotry and ignorance could
+not long prevail to the hiding from the world the harmonious walkings of
+stars and planets; and ever since, the philosophy which laid open the
+wonders of the universe hath proved herself the handmaid of revelation,
+which divulged secrets far beyond her gaze. And thus, we are persuaded,
+shall it always be; science may scale new heights and explore new depths,
+but she shall bring back nothing from her daring and successful excursions
+which will not, when rightly understood, yield a fresh tribute of
+testimony to the Bible. Infidelity may watch her progress with eagerness,
+exulting in the thought that she is furnishing facts with which the
+Christian system may be strongly assailed; but the champions of revelation
+may confidently attend her in every march, assured that she will find
+nothing which contradicts, if it do not actually confirm, the word which
+they know to be divine."--_Sermons, 2d Am. edit._ vol. ii. p. 298.
+
+"Shall it then any longer be said," says Dr. Buckland, "that a science,
+which unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God,
+can reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient
+auxiliary and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be, whom
+timidity, or prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its
+evidence; who are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the extent and
+magnitude, of the views which geology forces on their attention, and who
+would rather have kept closed the volume of witness, which has been sealed
+up for ages, beneath the surface of the earth, than impose upon the
+student in natural theology the duty of studying its contents;--a duty in
+which, for lack of experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or a
+laborious task, but which, by those engaged in it, is found to afford a
+rational, and righteous, and delightful exercise of their highest
+faculties, in multiplying the evidences of the existence, and attributes,
+and providence of God."
+
+"It follows then," says Dr. J. Pye Smith, "as a universal truth, that the
+Bible, faithfully interpreted, erects no bar against the most free and
+extensive investigation, the most comprehensive and searching induction.
+Let but the investigation be sufficient, and the induction honest; let
+observation take its farthest flight; let experiment penetrate into all
+the recesses of nature; let the veil of ages be lifted up from all that
+has been hitherto unknown,--if such a course were possible, religion need
+not fear; Christianity is secure, and true science will always pay homage
+to the divine Creator and Sovereign, _of whom, and through whom, and to
+whom are all things; and unto whom be glory forever_."--_Lectures on
+Scripture and Geology, 4th London edit._ p. 223.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE II.
+
+THE EPOCH OF THE EARTH'S CREATION UNREVEALED.
+
+
+The Mosaic account of the creation of the universe has always been
+celebrated for its sublime simplicity. Though the subject be one of
+unparalleled grandeur, the writer makes not the slightest effort at
+rhetorical embellishment, but employs language which a mere child cannot
+misapprehend. How different, in this respect, is this inspired record from
+all uninspired efforts that have been made to describe the origin of the
+world!
+
+But notwithstanding the great simplicity and clearness of this
+description, its precise meaning has occasioned as much discussion as
+almost any passage of Scripture. This results chiefly from its great
+brevity. Men with different views of inspiration, cosmogony, and
+philosophy, engage in its examination, not so much to ascertain its
+meaning, as to find out whether it teaches their favorite speculative
+views; and because it says nothing about them, they attempt to fasten
+those views upon it, and thus make it teach a great deal more than the
+mind of the Spirit. My simple object, at this time, is to ascertain
+whether the Bible fixes the time when the universe was created out of
+nothing.
+
+The prevalent opinion, until recently, has been, that we are there taught
+that the world began to exist on the first of the six days of creation, or
+about six thousand years ago. Geologists, however, with one voice, declare
+that their science indicates the earth to have been of far higher
+antiquity. The question becomes, therefore, of deep interest, whether the
+common interpretation of the Mosaic record is correct.
+
+Let us, in the first place, examine carefully the terms of that record;
+without reference to any of the conclusions of science.
+
+A preliminary inquiry, however, will here demand attention, to which I
+have already given some thoughts in the first lecture. The inquiry relates
+to the mode in which the sacred writers describe natural phenomena.
+
+Do they adapt their descriptions to the views and feelings of
+philosophers, or even the common people, in the nineteenth century, or to
+the state of knowledge and the prevalent opinions of a people but slightly
+removed from barbarism?
+
+Do they write as if they meant to correct the notions of men on natural
+subjects, when they knew them to be wrong; or as if they did not mean to
+decide whether the popular opinion were true or false? These points have
+been examined with great skill and candor by a venerable clergyman of
+England, whose praise is in all the American churches, and whose skill in
+sacred philology, and profound acquaintance with the Bible, none will
+question, any more than they will his deep-toned piety and enlarged and
+liberal views of men and things. I refer to Dr. J. Pye Smith, lately at
+the head of the Homerton Divinity College, near London.[6]
+
+He first examines the style in which the Old Testament describes the
+character and operations of Jehovah, and shows that it is done "in
+language borrowed from the bodily and mental constitution of man, and from
+those opinions concerning the works of God in the natural world, which
+were generally received by the people to whom the blessings of revelation
+were granted." Constant reference is made to material images, and to human
+feelings and conduct, as if the people addressed were almost incapable of
+spiritual and abstract ideas. This, of course, gives a notion of God
+infinitely beneath the glories of his character; but to uncultivated minds
+it was the only representation of his character that would give them any
+idea of it. Nay, even in this enlightened age, such descriptions are far
+more impressive than any other upon the mass of mankind; while those,
+whose minds are more enlightened, find no difficulty in inculcating the
+pure truth respecting God from these comparatively gross descriptions.
+
+Now, if, upon a point of such vast importance as the divine character,
+revelation, thus condescends to human weakness and ignorance, much more
+might we expect it, in regard to the less important subject of natural
+phenomena. We find, accordingly, that they are described as they appear to
+the common eye, and not in their real nature; or, in the language of
+Rosenmuller, the Scriptures speak "according to optical, and not physical
+truth." They make no effort to correct even the grossest errors, on these
+subjects, that then prevailed.
+
+The earth, as we have seen on a former occasion, is described as
+immovable, in the centre of the universe, and the heavenly bodies as
+revolving round it diurnally. The firmament over us is represented as a
+solid, extended substance, sustaining an ocean above it, with openings, or
+windows, through which the waters may descend. In respect to the human
+system, the Scriptures refer intellectual operations to the reins, or the
+region of the kidneys, and pain to the bones. In short, the descriptions
+of natural things are adapted to the very erroneous notions which
+prevailed in the earliest ages of society and among the common people. But
+it is as easy to interpret such descriptions in conformity to the present
+state of physical science, as it is to divest the scriptural
+representations of the Deity of their material dress, and make them
+conform to the spiritual views that now prevail. No one regards it as any
+objection to the Old Testament, that it gives a description of the divine
+character so much less spiritual than the views adopted by the theologians
+of the nineteenth century; why then should they regard it as derogatory to
+inspiration to adopt the same method as to natural objects?
+
+These considerations will afford us some assistance in rightly
+interpreting the description of the creation, in the first chapter of
+Genesis, to which we will now turn our attention.
+
+_In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was
+without form and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the
+Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there
+be light, and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good. And
+God divided the light from the darkness, and the light he called day, and
+the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the
+first day._
+
+The first question that arises, on reading this passage, is, whether the
+creation here described was a creation out of nothing, or out of
+preexisting materials. The latter opinion has been maintained by some
+able, and generally judicious commentators and theologians, such as
+Doederlin and Dathe in Germany, Milton in England, and Bush and Schmucker
+in this country. They do not deny that the Bible, in other places, teaches
+distinctly the creation of the universe out of nothing. But they contend
+that the word translated _to create_, in the first verse of Genesis,
+teaches only a renovation, or remodelling, of the universe from matter
+already in existence.
+
+That there is a degree of ambiguity in all languages, in the words that
+signify to _create_, to _make_, to _form_, and the like, cannot be
+doubted; that is, these words may be properly used to describe the
+production of a substance out of matter already in existence, as well as
+out of nothing; and, therefore, we must resort to the context, or the
+nature of the subject, to ascertain in which of those senses such words
+are used. The same word, for instance, (_bawraw_,) that is used in the
+first verse of Genesis, to describe the creation of the universe, is
+employed in the 27th verse of the same chapter, to describe the formation
+of man out of the dust of the earth. There was, however, no peculiar
+ambiguity in the use of the Hebrew words _bawraw_ and _awsaw_, which
+correspond to our words _create_ and _make_; and, therefore, it is not
+necessary to be an adept in Hebrew literature to judge of the question
+under consideration. We have only to determine whether the translation of
+the Mosaic account of the creation most reasonably teaches a production of
+the matter of the universe from nothing, or only its renovation, and we
+have decided what is taught in the original.
+
+Now, there can hardly be a doubt but Moses intended to teach, in this
+passage, that the universe owed its origin to Jehovah, and not to the
+idols of the heathen; and since all acknowledge that other parts of
+Scripture teach, that, when the world was made, it was produced out of
+nothing, why should we not conclude that the same truth is taught in this
+passage? The language certainly will bear that meaning; indeed, it is
+almost as strong as language can be to express such a meaning; and does
+not the passage look like a distinct avowal of this great truth, at the
+very commencement of the inspired record, in order to refute the opinion,
+so prevalent in early times, that the world is eternal?
+
+The next inquiry concerning the passage relates to the phrase _the heavens
+and the earth_. Does it comprehend the universe? So it must have been
+understood by the Jews; for their language could not furnish a more
+comprehensive phrase to designate the universe. True, these words, like
+those already considered, are used sometimes in a limited sense. But in
+this place their broadest signification is in perfect accordance with the
+scope of the passage and with the whole tenor of the Scripture. We may,
+therefore, conclude with much certainty, that God intended in this place
+to declare the great truth, that there was a time in past eternity when
+the whole material universe came into existence at his irresistible
+fiat:--a truth eminently proper to stand at the head of a divine
+revelation.
+
+But when did this stupendous event occur? Does the phrase _in the
+beginning_ show us when? Surely not; for no language can be more
+indefinite as to time. Whenever it is used in the Bible, it merely
+designates the commencement of the series of events, or the periods of
+time, that are described. _In the beginning was the word_; that is, at the
+commencement of things the word was in existence; consequently was from
+eternity. But in Genesis the act of creation is represented by this phrase
+simply as the commencement of the material universe, at a certain point of
+time in past eternity, which is not chronologically fixed. The first verse
+merely informs us, that the first act of the Deity in relation to the
+universe was the creation of the heavens and the earth out of nothing.
+
+It is contended, however, that the first verse is so connected with the
+six days' work of creation, related in the subsequent verse, that we must
+understand the phrase _in the beginning_ as the commencement of the first
+day. This is the main point to be examined in relation to the passage, and
+therefore deserves a careful consideration.
+
+If the first verse must be understood as a summary account of the six
+days' work which follows in detail, then _the beginning_ was the
+commencement of the first day, and of course only about six thousand years
+ago. But if it may be understood as an announcement of the act of creation
+at some indefinite point in past duration, then a period may have
+intervened between that first creative act and the subsequent six days'
+work. I contend that the passage admits of either interpretation, without
+any violence to the language or the narration.
+
+The first of these interpretations is the one usually received, and,
+therefore, it will be hardly necessary to attempt to show that it is
+admissible. The second has had fewer advocates, and will, therefore, need
+to be examined.
+
+The particle _and_, which is used in our translation of this passage to
+connect the successive sentences, furnishes an argument to the English
+reader against this second mode of interpretation, which has far less
+force with one acquainted with the original Hebrew. The particle thus
+translated is the general connecting particle of the Hebrew language, and
+"may be copulative, or disjunctive, or adversative; or it may express a
+mere annexation to a former topic of discourse,--the connection being only
+that of the subject matter, or the continuation of the composition. This
+continuative use forms one of the most marked peculiarities of the Hebrew
+idiom, and it comprehends every variety of mode in which one train of
+sentiment may be appended to another."--J. Pye Smith, _Scrip. and Geol._
+p. 195, 4th edit.
+
+In the English Bible this particle is usually rendered by the copulative
+conjunction _and_; in the Septuagint, and in Josephus, however, it
+sometimes has the sense of _but_. And some able commentators are of
+opinion that it admits of a similar translation in the passage under
+consideration. The elder Rosenmuller says we might read it thus: "_In the
+beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Afterwards the earth was
+desolate_," &c. Or the particle _afterwards_ may be placed at the
+beginning of any of the succeeding verses. Thus, In the beginning God
+created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was desolate, and
+darkness was upon the face of the waters. _Afterwards_ the Spirit of God
+moved upon the face of the waters. Dr. Dathe, who has been styled, by good
+authority, (Dr. Smith,) "a cautious and judicious critic," renders the
+first two verses in this manner: "In the beginning God created the heavens
+and the earth; but afterwards the earth became waste and desolate." If
+such translations as these be admissible, the passage not only allows, but
+expressly teaches, that a period intervened between the first act of
+creation and the six days' work. And if such an interval be allowed, it is
+all that geology requires to reconcile its facts to revelation. For
+during that time, all the changes of mineral constitution and organic
+life, which that science teaches to have taken place on the globe,
+previous to the existence of man, may have occurred.
+
+It is a presumption in favor of such an interpretation that the second
+verse describes the state of the globe after its creation and before the
+creation of light. For if there were no interval between the fiat that
+called matter into existence, and that which said, _Let there be light_,
+why should such a description of the earth's waste and desolate condition
+be given?
+
+But if there had been such an intervening period, it is perfectly natural
+that such a description should precede the history of successive creative
+acts, by which the world was adorned with light and beauty, and filled
+with inhabitants.
+
+But, after all, would such an interpretation have ever been thought of,
+had not the discoveries of geology seemed to demand it?
+
+This can be answered by inquiring whether any of the writers on the Bible,
+who lived before geology existed, or had laid claims for a longer period
+previous to man's creation, whether any of these adopted such an
+interpretation. We have abundant evidence that they did. Many of the early
+fathers of the church were very explicit on this subject. Augustin,
+Theodoret, and others, supposed that the first verse of Genesis describes
+the creation of matter distinct from, and prior to, the work of six days.
+Justin Martyr and Gregory Nazianzen believed in an indefinite period
+between the creation of matter and the subsequent arrangement of all
+things. Still more explicit are Basil, Caesarius, and Origen. It would be
+easy to quote similar opinions from more modern writers, who lived
+previous to the developments of geology. But I will give a paragraph from
+Bishop Patrick only, who wrote one hundred and fifty years ago.
+
+"How long," says he, "all things continued in mere confusion after the
+chaos was created, before light was extracted from it, we are not told. It
+might have been, for any thing that is here revealed, a great while; and
+all that time the mighty Spirit was making such motions in it, as
+prepared, disposed, and ripened every part of it for such productions as
+were to appear successively in such spaces of time as are here afterwards
+mentioned by Moses, who informs us, that after things were digested and
+made ready (by long fermentation perhaps) to be wrought into form, God
+produced every day, for six days together, some creature or other, till
+all was finished, of which light was the very first."--_Commentary, in
+loco._
+
+Such evidence as this is very satisfactory. For at the present day one
+cannot but fear that the discoveries of geology may too much influence him
+insensibly to put a meaning upon Scripture which would never have been
+thought of, if not suggested by those discoveries, and which the language
+cannot bear. But those fathers of the church cannot be supposed under the
+influence of any such bias; and, therefore, we may suppose the passage in
+itself to admit of the existence of a long period between the beginning
+and the first demiurgic day.
+
+Against these views philologists have urged several objections not to be
+despised. One is, that light did not exist till the first day, and the sun
+and other luminaries not till the fourth day; whereas the animals and
+plants dug from the rocks could not have existed without light. They could
+not, therefore, have lived in the supposed long period previous to the six
+days.
+
+If it be indeed true, that light was not called into existence till the
+first day, nor the sun till the fourth, this objection is probably
+insuperable. But it would be easy to cite the opinions of many
+distinguished and most judicious expounders of the Bible, showing that the
+words of the Hebrew original do not signify a literal creation of the sun,
+moon, and stars, on the fourth day, but only constituting or appointing
+them, at that time, to be luminaries, and to furnish standards for the
+division of time and other purposes.
+
+The word used is not the same as that employed in the first verse to
+describe the creation of the world; and the passage, rightly understood,
+implies the previous existence of the heavenly bodies. "The words [Hebrew]
+are not to be separated from the rest," says Rosenmuller, "or to be
+rendered _fiant luminaria_, let there be light; i. e., _let light be
+made_; but rather, _let lights be_; that is, serve, in the expanse of
+heaven, for distinguishing between day and night; and let them be, or
+serve, for signs," &c. "The historian speaks (v. 16, end) of the
+determination of the stars to certain uses, which they were to render to
+the earth, and not of their first formation." In like manner we may
+suppose that the production of light was only rendering it visible to the
+earth, over which darkness hitherto brooded; not because no light was in
+existence, but because it did not shine upon the earth.
+
+Another objection to this interpretation is, that the fourth commandment
+of the decalogue expressly declares, that _in six days the Lord made
+heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is_, &c., and thus cuts
+off the idea of a long period intervening between the _beginning_ and the
+six days. I acknowledge that this argument carries upon the face of it a
+good deal of strength; but there are some considerations that seem to me
+to show it to be not entirely demonstrative.
+
+In the first place, it is a correct principle of interpreting language,
+that when a writer describes an event in more than one place, the briefer
+statement is to be explained by the more extended one. Thus, in the second
+chapter of Genesis, we have this brief account of the creation: _These are
+the generations of the heavens and of the earth, when they were created,
+in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens._
+
+Now, if this were the only description of the work of creation on record,
+the inference would be very fair that it was all completed in a single
+day.
+
+Yet when we turn to the first chapter, we find the work prolonged through
+six days. The two statements are not contradictory; but the briefer one
+would not be understood without the more detailed. In like manner, if we
+should find it distinctly stated in the particular account of the creation
+of the universe, in the first chapter of Genesis, that a long period
+actually intervened between the beginning and the six days, who would
+suppose the statement a contradiction to the fourth commandment? It is
+true, we do not find such a fact distinctly announced in the Mosaic
+account of the creation. But suppose we first learn that it did exist from
+geology; why should we not be as ready to admit it as if stated in
+Genesis, provided it does not contradict any thing therein recorded? For
+illustration: let us refer to the account given in Exodus of the parents
+of Moses and their family. _And there went a man of the name of Levi, and
+took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived and bare a son,_
+(that is, Moses,) _and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid
+him three months._ (Ex. ii. 12.) Suppose, now, that no other account
+existed in the Bible of the family of this Levite; we could not surely
+have suspected that Moses had an elder brother and sister. But imagine the
+Bible silent on the subject, and that the fact was first brought to light
+in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics in the nineteenth century; who
+could hesitate to admit its truth because omitted in the Pentateuch? or
+who would regard it in opposition to the sacred record? With equal
+propriety may we admit, on proper geological evidence, the intercalation
+of a long period between the beginning and the six days, if satisfied that
+it does not contradict the Mosaic account. Hence all that is necessary, in
+this connection, for me to show, is, that such contradictions would not be
+made out by such a discovery.
+
+Once more: if this long period had existed, we should hardly have expected
+an allusion to it in the fourth commandment, if the views we have taken
+are correct as to the manner in which the Old Testament treats of natural
+events. It is literally true, that all which the Jews understood by the
+heavens and the earth, was made, (_awsaw_,) that is, renovated, arranged,
+and constituted,--for so the word often means,--in six literal days. Had
+the sacred writer alluded to the earth while without form and void, or to
+the heavenly bodies as any thing more than shining points in the
+firmament, placed there on the fourth day, he could not have been
+understood by the Hebrews, without going into a detailed description, and
+thus violating what seems to have been settled principles in writing the
+Bible, viz., not to treat of natural phenomena with scientific accuracy,
+nor to anticipate any scientific discovery.
+
+I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I am endeavoring to show,
+only, that the language of Scripture will admit of an indefinite interval
+between the first creation of matter and the six demiurgic days. I am
+willing to admit, at least for the sake of argument, that the common
+interpretation, which makes matter only six thousand years old, is the
+most natural. But I contend that no violence is done to the language by
+admitting the other interpretation. And in further proof of this position,
+I appeal to the testimony of distinguished modern theologians and
+philologists, as I have to several of the ancients. This point cannot,
+indeed, be settled by the authority of names. But I cannot believe that
+any will suppose such men as I shall mention were led to adopt this view
+simply because geologists asked for it, while their judgments told them
+that the language of the Bible would not bear such a meaning. When such
+men, therefore, avow their acquiescence in such an interpretation, it
+cannot but strengthen our confidence in its correctness.
+
+"The interval," says Bishop Horsley, "between the production of the matter
+of the chaos and the formation of light, is undescribed and unknown."
+
+"Were we to concede to naturalists," says Baumgarten Crusius, "all the
+reasonings which they advance in favor of the earth's early existence, the
+conclusion would only be, that the earth itself has existed much more than
+six thousand years, and that it had then already suffered many great and
+important revolutions. But if this were so, would the relation of Moses
+thereby become false and untenable? I cannot think so."
+
+"By the phrase _in the beginning_," says Doederlin, "the time is declared
+when something began to be. But when God produced this remarkable work,
+Moses does not precisely define."
+
+"We do not know," says Sharon Turner, "and we have no means of knowing, at
+what point of the ever-flowing eternity of that which is alone
+eternal,--the divine subsistence,--the creation of our earth, or any part
+of the universe, began." "All that we can learn explicitly from revelation
+is, that nearly six thousand years have passed since our first parents
+began to be."
+
+"The words in the text," says Dr. Wiseman, "do not merely express a
+momentary pause between the first fiat of creation and the production of
+light; for the participial form of the verb, whereby the Spirit of God,
+the creative energy, is represented as brooding over the abyss, and
+communicating to it the productive virtue, naturally expresses a
+continuous, and not a passing action."
+
+"I am strongly inclined to believe," says Bishop Gleig, "that the matter
+of the corporeal universe was all created at once; though different
+portions of it may have been reduced to form at very different periods.
+When the universe was created, or how long the solar system remained in a
+chaotic state, are vain inquiries, to which no answer can be given."
+
+"The detailed history of creation in the first chapter of Genesis," says
+Dr. Chalmers, "begins at the middle of the second verse; and what precedes
+might be understood as an introductory sentence, by which we are most
+appositely told, both that God created all things at the first, and that
+afterwards--by what interval of time it is not specified--the earth lapsed
+into a chaos, from the darkness and disorder of which the present system
+or economy of things was made to arise. Between the initial act and the
+details of Genesis, the world, for aught we know, might have been the
+theatre of many revolutions, the traces of which geology may still
+investigate," &c.
+
+"A philological survey of the initial sections of the Bible, (Gen. i. 1 to
+ii. 3,)" says Dr. Pye Smith, "brings out the result;"
+
+1. "That the first sentence is a simple, independent, all-comprehending
+axiom, to this effect,--that _matter_, elementary or combined, aggregated
+only or organized, and _dependent, sentient, and intellectual beings_ have
+not existed from eternity, either in self-continuity or succession, but
+had a beginning; that their beginning took place by the all-powerful will
+of one Being; the self-existent, independent and infinite in all
+perfection; and that the date of that beginning is not made known."
+
+2. "That at a recent epoch, our planet was brought into a state of
+disorganization, detritus, or ruin, (perhaps we have no perfectly
+appropriate term,) from a former condition."
+
+3. "That it pleased the Almighty, wise and benevolent Supreme, out of that
+state of ruin to adjust the surface of the earth to its now existing
+condition,--the whole extending through the period of six natural days."
+
+"I am forming," continues Dr. Smith, "no hypotheses in geology; I only
+plead that _the ground is clear_, and that the dictates of the Scripture
+_interpose no bar_ to observation and reasoning upon the mineralogical
+constitution of the earth, and the remains of organized creatures which
+its strata disclose. If those investigations should lead us to attribute
+to the earth and to the other planets and astral spheres an antiquity
+which millions or ten thousand millions of years might fail to represent,
+_the divine records forbid not their deduction_."--_Script. and Geol._ p.
+502.
+
+Says Dr. Bedford, "We ought to understand Moses as saying, _indefinitely
+far back, and concealed from us in the mystery of eternal ages, prior to
+the first moment of mundane time_, God created the heavens and the
+earth."--Smith, _Script. and Geol._ 4th edit.
+
+"My firm persuasion is," says Dr. Harris, "that the first verse of Genesis
+was designed, by the divine Spirit, to announce the absolute origination
+of the material universe by the Almighty Creator; and that it is so
+understood in the other parts of holy writ; that, passing by an indefinite
+interval, the second verse describes the state of our planet immediately
+prior to the Adamic creation, and, that the third verse begins the account
+of the six days' work."
+
+"If I am reminded, in a tone of animadversion, that I am making science,
+in this instance, the interpreter of Scripture, my reply is, that I am
+simply making the works of God illustrate his word in a department in
+which they speak with a distinct and authoritative voice; that "it is all
+the same whether our geological or theological investigations have been
+prior, if we have not forced the one into accordance with the
+other."--(Davidson, _Sacred Hermeneutics_.) "And that it might be
+deserving consideration, whether or not the conduct of those is not open
+to just animadversion, who first undertake to pronounce on the meaning of
+a passage of Scripture, irrespective of all the appropriate evidence, and
+who then, when that evidence is explored and produced, insist on their _a
+priori_ interpretation as the only true one."--_Pre-Adamite Earth_, p.
+280.
+
+"Our best expositors of Scripture," says Dr. Daniel King, of Glasgow,
+"seem to be now pretty generally agreed, that the opening verse in Genesis
+has no necessary connection with the verses which follow. They think it
+may be understood as making a separate and independent statement regarding
+the creation proper, and that the phrase 'in the beginning' may be
+expressive of an indefinitely remote antiquity. On this principle the
+Bible recognizes, in the first instance, the great age of the earth, and
+then tells us of the changes it underwent at a period long subsequent, in
+order to render it a fit abode for the family of man. The work of the six
+days was not, according to this view, a creation in the strict sense of
+the term, but a renovation, a remodelling of preexisting
+materials."--_Principles of Geology explained_, &c. p. 40, 1st edit.
+
+"Whether the Mosaic creation," says Dr. Schmucker, of the Lutheran church
+in this country, "refers to the present organization of matter, or to the
+formation of its primary elements, it is not easy to decide. The question
+is certainly not determined by the usage of the original words, [Hebrew]
+which are frequently employed to designate mediate formation. Should the
+future investigations of physical science bring to light any facts,
+indisputably proving the anterior existence of the matter of this earth,
+such facts would not militate against the Christian Scriptures."
+
+"That a very long period," says Dr. Pond,--"how long no being but God can
+tell,--intervened between the creation of the world and the commencement
+of the six days' work recorded in the following verses of the first
+chapter of Genesis, there can, I think, be no reasonable doubt."
+
+But I need not adduce any more advocates of the interpretation of Genesis,
+for which I contend. Men more respected and confided in by the Christian
+world I could not quote, though I might enlarge the number; but I trust it
+is unnecessary. I trust that all who hear me are satisfied that the Mosaic
+history of the creation of the world does fairly admit of an
+interpretation which leaves an undefined interval between the creation of
+matter and the six days' work. Let it be recollected that I do not
+maintain that this is the most natural interpretation, but only that the
+passage will fairly admit it by the strict rules of exegesis. The question
+still remains to be considered, whether there is sufficient reason to
+adopt it as the true interpretation. To show that there is, I now make my
+appeal to geology. This is a case, it seems to me, in which we may call in
+the aid of science to ascertain the true meaning of Scripture. The
+question is, Does geology teach, distinctly and uncontrovertibly, that the
+world must have existed during a long period prior to the existence of the
+races of organized beings that now occupy its surface?
+
+To give a popular view of the evidence sustaining the affirmative of this
+question is no easy task. It needs a full and accurate acquaintance with
+the multiplied facts of geology, and, what is still more rare, a
+familiarity with geological reasoning, in order to feel the full force of
+the arguments that prove the high antiquity of the globe. Yet I know that
+I have a right to presume upon a high degree of scientific knowledge, and
+an accurate acquaintance with geology, among those whom I address.
+
+In the first place, I must recur to a principle already briefly stated in
+a former lecture, viz., that a careful examination of the rocks presents
+irresistible evidence, that, in their present condition, they are all the
+result of second causes; in other words, they are not now in the condition
+in which they were originally created. Some of them have been melted and
+reconsolidated, and crowded in between others, or spread over them. Others
+have been worn down into mud, sand, and gravel, by water and other agents,
+and again cemented together, after having enveloped multitudes of animals
+and plants, which are now imbedded as organic remains. In short, all known
+rocks appear to have been brought into their present state by chemical or
+mechanical agencies. It is indeed easy to say that these appearances are
+deceptive, and that these rocks may, with perfect ease, have been created
+just as we now find them. But it is not easy to retain this opinion, after
+having carefully examined them. For the evidence that they are of
+secondary origin is nearly as strong, and of the same kind too, as it is
+that the remains of edifices lately discovered in Central America are the
+work of man, and were not created in their present condition.
+
+In the second place, processes are going on by which rocks are formed on a
+small scale, of the same character as those which constitute the great
+mass of the earth. Hence it is fair to infer, that all the rocks were
+formed in a similar manner. Beds of gravel, for instance, are sometimes
+cemented together by heat, or iron, or lime, so as to resemble exactly the
+conglomerates found in mountain masses among the ancient rocks. Clay is
+sometimes converted into slate by heat, as is soft marl into limestone, by
+the same cause. In fact, we find causes now in operation that produce all
+the varieties of known rocks, except some of the oldest, which seem to
+need only a greater intensity in some of the causes now at work to produce
+them. By ascertaining the rate at which rocks are now forming, therefore,
+we can form some opinion as to the time requisite to produce those
+constituting the crust of the globe. If, for instance, we can determine
+how fast ponds, lakes, and oceans are filling up with mud, sand, and
+gravel, conveyed to their bottoms, we can judge of the period necessary to
+produce those rocks which appear to have been formed in a similar manner;
+and if there is any evidence that the process was more rapid in early
+times, we can make due allowance.
+
+In the third place, all the stratified rocks appear to have been formed
+out of the fragments of other rocks, worn down by the action of water and
+atmospheric agencies. This is particularly true of that large proportion
+of these rocks which contain the remains of animals and plants. The mud,
+sand, and gravel of which these are mostly composed, must have been worn
+from rocks previously existing, and have been transported into lakes, and
+the ocean, as the same process is now going on. There the animals and
+plants, which died in the waters, and were transported thither by rivers,
+must have been buried; next, the rocks must have been hardened into stone,
+by admixture with lime, or iron, or by internal heat; and, finally, have
+been raised above the waters, so as to become dry land. Beds of limestone
+are interstratified with those of shale, sandstone, and conglomerate; but
+these form only a small proportion of the whole, and, besides, were mostly
+formed in an analogous manner, though by agencies more decidedly chemical.
+
+Now, for the most part, this process of forming rocks by the accumulation
+of mud, sand, and gravel is very slow. In general, such accumulations, at
+the bottom of lakes and the ocean, do not increase more than a few inches
+in a century. During violent floods, indeed, and in a few limited spots,
+the accumulation is much more rapid; as in the Lake of Geneva, through
+which the Rhone, loaded with detritus from the Alps, passes, where a delta
+has been formed two miles long and nine hundred feet thick, within eight
+hundred years.[7] And occasionally such rapid depositions probably took
+place while the older rocks were in the course of formation. But in
+general, the work seems to have gone on as slowly as it usually does at
+present.
+
+Yet, in the fourth place, there must have been time enough since the
+creation to deposit at least ten miles of rocks in perpendicular
+thickness, in the manner that has been described. For the stratified rocks
+are at least of that thickness in Europe, and in this country much
+thicker; or, if we regard only the fossiliferous strata as thus deposited,
+(since some geologists might hesitate to admit that the non-fossiliferous
+rocks were thus produced,) these are six and a half miles thick in Europe,
+and still thicker in this country. How immense a period was requisite for
+such a work! Some do, indeed, contend that the work, in all cases, as we
+have allowed it in a few, may have been vastly more rapid than at the
+present day. But the manner in which the materials are arranged, and
+especially the preservation of the most delicate parts of the organic
+remains, often in the very position in which the animals died, show the
+quiet and slow manner in which the process went on.
+
+In the fifth place, it is certain that, since man existed on the globe,
+materials for the production of rocks have not accumulated to the average
+thickness of more than one hundred or two hundred feet; although in
+particular places, as already mentioned, the accumulations are thicker.
+The evidence of this position is, that neither the works nor the remains
+of man have been found any deeper in the earth than in the upper part of
+that superficial deposit called _alluvium_. But had man existed while the
+other deposits were going on, no possible reason can be given why his
+bones and the fruits of his labors should not be found mixed with those of
+other animals, so abundant in the rocks, to the depth of six or seven
+miles. In the last six thousand years, then, only one five hundredth part
+of the stratified rocks has been accumulated. I mention this fact, not as
+by any means an exact, but only an approximate, measure of the time in
+which the older rocks were deposited; for the precise age of the world is
+probably a problem which science never can solve. All the means of
+comparison within our reach enable us to say, only, that its duration must
+have been immense.
+
+In the sixth place, during the deposition of the stratified rocks, a great
+number of changes must have occurred in the matter of which they are
+composed. Hundreds of such changes can be easily counted, and they often
+imply great changes in the waters holding the materials in solution or
+suspension; such changes, indeed, as must have required different oceans
+over the same spot. Such events could not have taken place without
+extensive elevations and subsidences of the earth's crust; nor could such
+vertical movements have happened without much intervening time, as many
+facts, too technical to be here detailed, show. Here, then, we have
+another evidence of vast periods of time occupied in the secondary
+production and arrangements of the earth's crust.
+
+In the seventh place, numerous races of animals and plants must have
+occupied the globe previous to those which now inhabit it, and have
+successively passed away, as catastrophes occurred, or the climate became
+unfit for their residence. Not less than thirty thousand species have
+already been dug out of the rocks; and excepting a few hundred species,
+mostly of sea shells, occurring in the uppermost rocks, none of them
+correspond to those now living on the globe. In Europe, they are found to
+the depth of about six and a half miles; and in this country, deeper; and
+no living species is found more than one twelfth of this depth. All the
+rest are specifically and often generically unlike living species; and the
+conclusion seems irresistible, that they must have lived and died before
+the creation of the present species. Indeed, so different was the climate
+in those early times,--it having been much warmer than at present in most
+parts of the world,--that but few of the present races could have lived
+then. Still further: it appears that, during the whole period since
+organized beings first appeared on the globe, not less than four, or five,
+and probably more--some think as many as ten or twelve--entire races have
+passed away, and been succeeded by recent ones; so that the globe has
+actually changed all its inhabitants half a dozen times. Yet each of the
+successive groups occupied it long enough to leave immense quantities of
+their remains, which sometimes constitute almost entire mountains. And in
+general, these groups became extinct in consequence of a change of
+climate; which, if imputed to any known cause, must have been an extremely
+slow process.
+
+Now, these results are no longer to be regarded as the dreams of fancy,
+but the legitimate deductions from long and careful observation of facts.
+And can any reasonable man conceive how such changes can have taken place
+since the six days of creation, or within the last six thousand years? In
+order to reconcile them with such a supposition, we must admit of
+hypotheses and absurdities more wild and extravagant than have ever been
+charged upon geology. But admit of a long period between the first
+creative act and the six days, and all difficulties vanish.
+
+In the eighth place, the denudations and erosions that have taken place on
+the earth's surface indicate a far higher antiquity to the globe, even
+since it assumed essentially its present condition, than the common
+interpretation of Genesis admits. The geologist can prove that in many
+cases the rocks have been worn away, by the slow action of the ocean, more
+than two miles in depth in some regions, and those very wide; as in South
+Wales, in England. As the continents rose from the ocean, the slow
+drainage by the rivers has excavated numerous long and deep gorges,
+requiring periods incalculably extended.
+
+I do not wonder that, when the sceptic stands upon the banks of Niagara
+River, and sees how obviously the splendid cataract has worn out the deep
+gorge extending to Lake Ontario, he should feel that there is a standing
+proof that the common opinion, as to the age of the world, cannot be true;
+and hence be led to discard the Bible, if he supposes that to be a true
+interpretation.
+
+But the Niagara gorge is only one among a multitude of examples of erosion
+that might be quoted; and some of them far more striking to a geologist.
+On Oak Orchard Creek, and the Genesee River, between Rochester and Lake
+Ontario, are similar erosions, seven miles long. On the latter river,
+south of Rochester, we find a cut from Mount Morris to Portage, sometimes
+four hundred feet deep. On many of our south-western rivers we have what
+are called _canyons_, or gorges, often two hundred and fifty feet deep, and
+several miles long. Near the source of Missouri River are what are called
+the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, where there is a gorge six miles long
+and twelve hundred feet deep. Similar cuts occur on the Columbia River,
+hundreds of feet deep, through the hard trap rock, for hundreds of miles,
+between the American Falls and the Dalles. At St. Anthony's Falls, on the
+Mississippi, that river has worn a passage in limestone seven miles long,
+which distance the cataract has receded. On the Potomac, ten miles west of
+Washington, the Great Falls have worn back a passage sixty to sixty-five
+feet deep, four miles, continuously--a greater work, considering the
+nature of the rock, than has been done by the Niagara. The passage for the
+Hudson, through the highlands, is probably an example of river erosion; as
+is also that of the Connecticut at Brattleboro' and Bellows Falls. In
+these places, it can be proved that the river was once at least seven
+hundred feet above its present bed. On the Deerfield River, a tributary of
+the Connecticut, we have a gulf called the _Ghor_, eight miles long and
+several hundred feet deep, cut crosswise through the mica slate and gneiss
+by the stream.
+
+On the eastern continent I might quote a multitude of analogous cases.
+There is, for instance, the Wady el Jeib, in soft limestone, within the
+Wady Arabah, south of the Dead Sea. The defile is one hundred and fifty
+feet deep, half a mile wide, and forty miles long. In Mount Lebanon,
+several remarkable chasms in limestone have been described by American
+missionaries, as that on Dog River, (Lycus of the ancients,) six miles
+long, seventy or eighty feet deep, and from one hundred and twenty to one
+hundred and sixty feet wide; also, Wady Barida, whose walls are six
+hundred to eight hundred feet high. On the River Ravendoor, in Kurdistan,
+is a gorge, described in a letter from Dr. Perkins, one thousand feet
+deep. Another on the Euphrates, near Diadeen, is seventy feet deep, and is
+spanned by a natural bridge one hundred feet long. On the River Terek, in
+the Dariel Caucasus, is a pass one hundred and twenty miles long, whose
+walls rise from one thousand to three thousand feet high. In Africa, the
+River Zaire has cut a passage, forty miles long, through mica slate,
+quartz, and syenite; and in New South Wales, Cox River passes through a
+gorge twenty-two hundred yards wide and eight hundred feet high.
+
+Ninthly. Since the geological period now passing commenced, called the
+_alluvial_, or pleistocene period, certain changes have been going on,
+which indicate a very great antiquity to the drift period, which was the
+commencement of the alluvial period, and has been considered among the
+most recent of geological events. I refer to the formation of deltas and
+of terraces.
+
+Of the deltas I will mention but a single example, to which, however, many
+others correspond. The Mississippi carries down to its mouth
+28,188,803,892 cubic feet of sediment yearly, which it deposits; or one
+cubic mile in five years and eighty-one days. Now, as the whole delta
+contains twenty-seven hundred and twenty cubic miles, it must have
+required fourteen thousand two hundred and four years to form it in this
+manner.
+
+Terraces occur along some of the rivers of our country from four hundred
+to five hundred feet above their present beds, and around our lakes to the
+height of nearly one thousand feet. They are composed of gravel, sand,
+clay, and loam, that have been comminuted, and sorted, and deposited, by
+water chiefly. At a height two or three times greater, on the same rivers
+and lakes, we find what seem to be ancient sea beaches, of the same
+materials, deposited earlier, and less comminuted. The same facts also
+occur in Europe, and probably in Asia.
+
+Now, it seems quite certain, that these beaches and terraces were formed
+as the continents were being drained of the waters of the ocean, and the
+rivers were cutting down their beds; which last process has been going on
+in many places to the present day. Yet scarcely nowhere, since the memory
+of man, have even the lowest of these terraces and beaches been formed,
+save on a very limited scale, and of a few feet in height. The lowest of
+them have been the sites of towns and cities, ever since the settlement of
+our country, and on the eastern continent much longer. Yet we see the
+processes by which they have been formed now in operation; but they have
+scarcely made any progress during the period of human history. How vast
+the period, then, since the work was first commenced! Yet even its
+commencement seems to have been no farther back than the drift epoch,
+since that deposit lies beneath the terraces. But the drift period was
+comparatively a very recent one on the geological scale. How do such facts
+impress us with the vast duration of the globe since the first series of
+changes commenced!
+
+Finally. There is no little reason to believe that, previous to the
+formation of the stratified rocks, the earth passed through changes that
+required vast periods of time, by which it was gradually brought into a
+habitable state. It is even believed that one of its earliest conditions
+was that of vapor; that, gradually condensing, it became a melted globe of
+fire, and then, as it gradually cooled, a crust formed over its surface;
+and so at last it became habitable. All this is indeed hypothesis; and,
+therefore, I do not place it in the same rank as the other proofs of the
+earth's antiquity, already adduced. Still this hypothesis has so much
+evidence in its favor, that not a few of the ablest and most cautious
+philosophers of the present day have adopted it. And if it be indeed true,
+it throws back the creation of the universe to a period remote beyond
+calculation or conception.
+
+Now, let this imperfect summary of evidence in favor of the earth's high
+antiquity be candidly weighed, and can any one think it strange that every
+man, who has carefully and extensively examined the rocks in their native
+beds, is entirely convinced of its validity? Men of all professions, and
+of diverse opinions concerning the Bible, have been geologists; but on
+this point they are unanimous, however they may differ as to other points
+in the science. Must we not, then, regard this fact as one of the settled
+principles of science? If so, who will hesitate to say that it ought to
+settle the interpretation of the first verse of Genesis, in favor of that
+meaning which allows an intervening period between the creation of matter
+and the creation of light? This is the grand point which I have aimed to
+establish; and, in conclusion, I beg leave to make a few remarks by way of
+inference.
+
+First. This interpretation of Genesis is entirely sufficient to remove all
+apparent collision between geology and revelation. It gives the geologist
+full scope for his largest speculations concerning the age of the world.
+It permits him to maintain that its first condition was as unlike to the
+present as possible, and allows him time enough for all the changes of
+mineral constitution and organic life which its strata reveal. It supposes
+that all these are passed over in silence by the sacred writers, because
+irrelevant to the object of revelation, but full of interest and
+instruction to the men of science, who should afterwards take pleasure in
+exploring the works of God.
+
+It supposes the six days' work of creation to have been confined entirely
+to the fitting up the world in its present condition, and furnishing it
+with its present inhabitants. Thus, while it gives the widest scope to the
+geologist, it does not encroach upon the literalities of the Bible; and
+hence it is not strange that it should be almost universally adopted by
+geologists as well as by many eminent divines.
+
+I would not forget to notice in this connection, however, a recent
+proposed extension of this interpretation by Dr. John Pye Smith, founded
+on the principle already illustrated, that the sacred writers adapted
+their language to the state of knowledge among the Jews. By the term
+_earth_, in Genesis, he supposes, was designed not the whole terraqueous
+globe, but "the part of our world which God was adapting for the
+dwelling-place of man and animals connected with him." And the narrative
+of the six days' work is a description adapted to the ideas and
+capacities of mankind in the earliest ages, of a series of operations, by
+which the Being of omnipotent wisdom and goodness adjusted and furnished,
+not the earth generally, but, as the particular subject under
+consideration here, a PORTION of its surface for most glorious purposes.
+This portion of the earth he conceives to have been a large part of Asia,
+lying between the Caucasian ridge, the Caspian Sea and Tartary on the
+north, the Persian and Indian Seas on the south, and the high mountain
+ridges which run at considerable distance on their eastern and western
+flanks. This region was first, by atmospheric and geological causes of
+previous operation, under the will of the Almighty, brought into a
+condition of superficial ruin, or some kind of general disorder, probably
+by volcanic agency; it was submerged, covered with fogs and clouds, and
+subsequently elevated, and the atmosphere, by the fourth day, rendered
+pellucid.--_Script. and Geol._ p. 275, 2d edit.
+
+Without professing to adopt fully this view of my learned and venerable
+friend, I cannot but remark, that it explains one or two difficulties on
+this subject, which I shall more fully explain farther on. One is, the
+difficulty of conceiving how the inferior animals could have been
+distributed to their present places of residence from a single centre of
+creation without a miracle. Certain it is, that, as the climate and
+position of land and water now are, they could not thus migrate without
+certain destruction to many of them. But by this theory they might have
+been created within the districts which they now occupy.
+
+Another difficulty solved by this theory is, that several hundred species
+of animals, that were created long before man, as their remains found in
+the tertiary strata show, still survive, and there is no evidence that
+they ever became extinct; nor need they have been destroyed and
+recreated, if Dr. Smith's theory be true. Nevertheless, it does not appear
+to me essential to a satisfactory reconciliation of geology and
+revelation, that we should adopt it. But coming from such high authority,
+and sustained as it is by powerful arguments, it commends itself to our
+candid examination.
+
+Secondly. I remark, that it is not necessary that we should be perfectly
+sure that the method which has been described, or any other, of bringing
+geology into harmony with the Bible, is infallibly true. It is only
+necessary that it should be sustained by probable evidence; that it should
+fairly meet the geological difficulty on the one hand, and do no violence
+to the language or spirit of the Bible on the other. This is sufficient,
+surely, to satisfy every philosophical mind, that there is no collision
+between geology and revelation. But should it appear hereafter, either
+from the discoveries of the geologist or the philologist, that our views
+must be somewhat modified, it would not show that the previous views had
+been insufficient to harmonize the two subjects; but only that here, as in
+every other department of human knowledge, perfection is not attained,
+except by long-continued efforts.
+
+I make these remarks, because it is well known that other modes, besides
+that which I have defended, have been proposed to accomplish the same
+object; and it is probable that, even to this day, one or two of these
+modes may be defended, although the general opinion of geologists is in
+favor of that which I have exhibited.
+
+Some, for instance, have supposed that the fossiliferous strata may all
+have been deposited in the sixteen hundred years between the creation and
+the deluge, and by that catastrophe have been lifted out of the ocean.
+Others have imagined them all produced by that event. But the most
+plausible theory regards the six days of creation as periods of great,
+though indefinite length, during which all the changes exhibited by the
+strata of rocks took place. The arguments in defence of this view are the
+following: 1. The word _day_ is often used in Scripture to express a
+period of indefinite length. (Luke xvii. 24. John viii. 56. Job xiv. 6.)
+2. The sun, moon, and stars were not created till the fourth day; so that
+the revolution of the earth on its axis, in twenty-four hours, may not
+have existed previously, and the light and darkness that alternated may
+have had reference to some other standard. 3. The Sabbath, or seventh day,
+in which God rested from his work, has not yet terminated; and there is
+reason to suppose the demiurgic days may have been at least of equal
+length. 4. This interpretation corresponds remarkably with the traditional
+cosmogonies of some heathen nations, as the ancient Etruscans and modern
+Hindoos; and it was also adopted by Philo and other Jewish writers. 5. The
+order of creation, as described in Genesis, corresponds to that developed
+by geology. This order, according to Cuvier and Professor Jameson, is as
+follows: 1. The earth was covered with the sea without inhabitants. 2.
+Plants were created on the third day, and are found abundantly in the coal
+measures. 3. On the fifth day, the inhabitants of the waters, then flying
+things, then great reptiles, and then mammiferous animals, were created.
+4. On the sixth day, man was created.
+
+The following are the objections to this interpretation: 1. The word _day_
+is not used figuratively in other places of Genesis, (unless perhaps Gen.
+ii. 4,) though it is sometimes so used in other parts of Scripture. 2. In
+the fourth commandment, where the days of creation are referred to, (Exod.
+xx. 9, 10, 11,) no one can doubt but that the six days of labor and the
+Sabbath, spoken of in the ninth and tenth verses, are literal days. By
+what rule of interpretation can the same word in the next verse be made to
+mean indefinite periods? 3. From Gen. ii. 5, compared with Gen. i. 11, 12,
+it seems that it had not rained on the earth till the third day--a fact
+altogether probable if the days were of twenty-four hours, but absurd if
+they were long periods. 4. Such a meaning is forced and unnatural, and,
+therefore, not to be adopted without urgent necessity. 5. This hypothesis
+assumes that Moses describes the creation of all the animals and plants
+that have ever lived on the globe. But geology decides that the species
+now living, since they are not found in the rocks any lower down than man
+is, (with a few exceptions,) could not have been contemporaries with those
+in the rocks, but must have been created when man was; that is, on the
+sixth day. Of such a creation no mention is made in Genesis. The inference
+is, that Moses does not describe the creation of the existing races, but
+only of those that lived thousands of years earlier, and whose existence
+was scarcely suspected till modern times. Who will admit such an
+absurdity? If any one takes the ground that the existing races were
+created with the fossil ones, on the third and fifth days, then he must
+show, what no one can, why the remains of the former are not found mixed
+with the latter. 6. Though there is a general resemblance between the
+order of creation, as described in Genesis and by geology, yet when we
+look at the details of the creation of the organic world, as required by
+this hypothesis, we find manifest discrepancy, instead of the coincidence
+asserted by some distinguished advocates of these views. Thus the Bible
+represents plants only to have been created on the third day, and animals
+not till the fifth; and hence, at least, the lower half of the
+fossiliferous rocks ought to contain nothing but vegetables. Whereas, in
+fact, the lower half of these rocks, all below the carboniferous,
+although abounding in animals, contain scarcely any plants, and those in
+the lowest strata, fucoids, or sea-weeds. But the Mosaic account of the
+third day's work evidently describes flowering and seed-bearing plants,
+not flowerless and seedless algae. Again: reptiles are described in Genesis
+as created on the fifth day; but reptilia and batrachians existed as early
+as the time when the lower carboniferous, and even old red sandstone
+strata, were in a course of deposition, as their tracks on those rocks in
+Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania evince. In short, if we maintain that Moses
+describes fossil as well as living species, we find discrepancy, instead
+of correspondence, between his order of creation and that of geology. But
+admit that he describes only existing species, and all difficulties
+vanish.
+
+It appears, then, that the objections to this interpretation of the word
+_day_ are more geological than exegetical. It has accordingly been mostly
+abandoned by men, who, from their knowledge both of geology and scriptural
+exegesis, were best qualified to judge. And even those who are inclined to
+adopt it do also believe in the existence of a long period between the
+beginning and the demiurgic days. From the earliest times, however, in
+which we have writings upon the Scriptures, we find men doubting whether
+the demiurgic days of Moses are to be taken in a strictly literal sense.
+Josephus and Philo regarded the six days' work as metaphorical. Origen
+took a similar view, and St. Augustin says, "It is difficult, if not
+impossible, for us to conceive what sort of days these were." In more
+modern times, we find many able writers, as Hahn, Hensler, De Luc,
+Professors Lee and Wait, of the University of Cambridge, Faber, &c.,
+adopting modifications of the same views. Mr. Faber, however, a few years
+since, abandoned this opinion; and for the most part, geologists and
+theologians prefer to regard the six days as literal days of twenty-four
+hours. But, generally, they would not regard the opposite opinion to be as
+unreasonable as it would be to reject the Bible from any supposed
+collision with geology. Yet, in general, they suppose it sufficient, to
+meet all difficulties, to allow of an indefinite interval between the
+"beginning" and the six days' work of creation.
+
+In the truly scientific system of theology by the venerable Dr. Knapp, we
+find a proposed interpretation of the Mosaic account of the creation, that
+would bring it into harmony with geology. "If we would form a clear and
+distinct notion of this whole description of creation," says he, "we must
+conceive of six separate _pictures_, in which this great work is
+represented in each successive stage of its progress towards completion.
+And as the performance of the painter, though it must have natural truth
+for its foundation, must not be considered, or judged of, as a delineation
+of mathematical or scientific accuracy, so neither must this pictorial
+representation of the creation be regarded as literally and exactly true."
+He then alludes to the various hypotheses respecting the early state of
+the matter of the globe, and says, "Any of these hypotheses of the
+naturalist may be adopted or rejected, the Mosaic geogony
+notwithstanding."[8]
+
+Thirdly. The interpretation of Genesis, for which I have contended in this
+lecture, does not affect injuriously any doctrine of revelation. The
+community have, indeed, been taught to believe that the universe was all
+brought into existence about six thousand years ago; and it always
+produces a temporary evil to change the interpretation of a passage of the
+Bible, even though, as in this case, it be the result of new light shed
+upon it; because it is apt to make individuals of narrow views lose their
+confidence in the rules of interpretation. But when the change is once
+made, it increases men's confidence in the Word of God, which is only
+purified, but not shaken, by all the discoveries of modern science. In the
+present case, it does not seem to be of the least consequence, so far as
+the great doctrines of the Bible are concerned, whether the world has
+stood six thousand, or six hundred thousand years. Nor can I conceive of
+any truth of the Bible, which does not shine with at least equal
+brightness and glory, if the longest chronological dates be adopted.
+
+Yet, fourthly. I maintain that several of these doctrines are far more
+strikingly and profitably exhibited, if the high antiquity of the globe be
+admitted. The common interpretation limits the operations of the Deity, so
+far as the material universe is concerned, to the last six thousand years.
+But the geological view carries the mind back along the flow of countless
+ages, and exhibits the wisdom of the Deity carrying forward, with infinite
+skill, a vast series of operations, each successive link springing out of
+that before it, and becoming more and more beautiful, until the glorious
+universe in which we live comes forth, not only the last, but the best of
+all. All this while, too, we perceive the heart of infinite Benevolence at
+work, either in fitting up the world for its future races of inhabitants,
+or in placing upon it creatures exactly adapted to its varying condition;
+until man, at last, the crown of all, makes it his delightful abode, with
+nothing to lament but his own apostasy,--with every thing perfect but
+himself. Can the mind enter such an almost boundless field of
+contemplation as this, and not feel itself refreshed, and expanded, and
+filled with more exalted conceptions of the divine plans and divine
+benevolence than could possibly be obtained within the narrow limits of
+six thousand years? But I will not enlarge; for I hope I may be allowed,
+in future lectures, to enter this rich field of thought, when we have more
+leisure to survey its beautiful prospects, and pluck its golden fruit.
+
+Finally. If the geological interpretation of Genesis be true, then it
+should be taught to all classes of the community. It is, indeed, unwise to
+alter received interpretations of Scripture without very strong reasons.
+We should be satisfied that the new light, which has come to us, is not
+that of a transient meteor, but of a permanent luminary. We should, also,
+be satisfied, that the proposed change is consistent with the established
+rules of philology. If we introduce change of this sort before these
+points are settled, even upon passages that have no connection with
+fundamental moral principles, we shall distress many an honest and pious
+heart, and expose ourselves to the necessity of further change. But on the
+other hand, if we delay the change long after these points are fairly
+settled, we shall excite the suspicion that we dread to have the light of
+science fall upon the Bible. Nor let it be forgotten how disastrous has
+ever been the influence of the opinion that theologians teach one thing,
+and men of science another. Now, in the case under consideration, is there
+any reason to doubt the high antiquity of the globe, as demonstrated by
+geology? If any point, not capable of mathematical demonstration in
+physical science, is proved, surely this truth is established. And how
+easily reconciled to the inspired record, by an interpretation entirely
+consistent with the rules of philology, and with the scope of the
+passage, and the tenor of the Bible! It seems to me far more natural, and
+easy to understand, than that interpretation which it became necessary to
+introduce when the Copernican system was demonstrated to be true. The
+latter must have seemed to conflict strongly with the natural and most
+obvious meaning of certain passages of the Bible, at a time when men's
+minds were ignorant of astronomy, and, I may add, of the true mode of
+interpreting the language of Scripture respecting natural phenomena.
+Nevertheless, the astronomical exegesis prevailed, and every child can now
+see its reasonableness. So it seems to me that the child can easily
+apprehend the geological interpretation and its reasons. Why, then, should
+it not be taught to children, that they may not be liable to distrust the
+whole Bible, when they come to the study of geology? I rejoice, however,
+that the fears and prejudices of the pious and the learned are so fast
+yielding to evidence; and I anticipate the period, when, on this subject,
+the child will learn the same thing in the Sabbath school and the literary
+institution. Nay, I anticipate the time as not distant, when the high
+antiquity of the globe will be regarded as no more opposed to the Bible
+than the earth's revolution round the sun and on its axis. Soon shall the
+horizon, where geology and revelation meet, be cleared of every cloud, and
+present only an unbroken and magnificent circle of truth.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE III.
+
+DEATH A UNIVERSAL LAW OF ORGANIC BEINGS ON THIS GLOBE FROM THE BEGINNING.
+
+
+Death has always been regarded by man as the king of terrors, and the
+climax of all mortal evils; and by Christians its introduction into the
+world has generally been imputed to the apostasy of our first parents. For
+the threatening announced to them in Eden was, _In the day thou eatest of
+the forbidden fruit thou shalt surely die_, implying that if they did not
+eat thereof they might live. But _when the woman saw the tree was good for
+food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to
+make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
+to her husband with her, and he did eat_. As the result, it is generally
+supposed that a great change took place in animals and plants, and from
+being immortal, they became mortal, in consequence of this fatal deed. But
+geology asserts that death existed in the world untold ages before man's
+creation, while physiology declares it to be a universal law of nature,
+and a wise and benevolent provision in such a world as ours. Now, the
+question is, Do not these different statements conflict with one another?
+and if so, is the discrepancy apparent only, or real? These are the
+questions which I now propose to examine, by all the light which we can
+obtain from the Bible and from science.
+
+_The first point to be ascertained in this investigation will be, what the
+Bible teaches on this subject._
+
+In the first place, it distinctly informs us that the death which man
+experiences, came upon him in consequence of sin.
+
+The declaration of Paul on this subject is as distinct as language can be.
+_By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death
+passed upon all men, for that all have sinned._ This corresponds with the
+original threatening respecting the forbidden fruit. We know that our
+first parents ate of it; we know, also, that they died; and the apostle
+places these two facts in the relation of cause and effect.
+
+In the second place, the Bible does not inform us whether the death of the
+inferior animals and plants is the consequence of man's transgression.
+
+In order to prove this statement, it is necessary to show that the
+language of the Bible, which distinctly ascribes the introduction of death
+into the world, is limited to man. The first part of the sentence from
+Paul, just quoted, is indeed very general, and may include all organic
+natures. _By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin._ What
+terms more general or explicit than these could be used? Yet the remainder
+of the sentence shows that the apostle had man mainly in his eye; _and so
+death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned_. The death here
+spoken of is limited expressly to man; and, therefore, it is not necessary
+to show that the same terms, in the first part of the sentence, had a more
+extended meaning. Death is spoken of here as the result of sin, and
+cannot, therefore, embrace animals and plants, which are incapable of sin.
+But after all, the first part of the sentence may intend to teach a
+general truth respecting the origin of every kind of death in the world.
+It will be seen in the sequel, that to such a meaning I have no objection,
+if it can be established.
+
+Another very explicit passage on the introduction of death into the world
+is found in Corinthians: _Since by man came death, by man came also the
+resurrection of the dead._ Here, too, the last clause of the sentence
+limits the meaning to the human family. For no one will doubt that Christ
+is the man here spoken of, by whom came the resurrection of the dead. Now,
+unless the inferior animals and plants will share in a resurrection in
+consequence of what Christ has done, and in the redemption wrought out by
+him too, they cannot be included in this passage. And if neither of the
+texts now quoted extend in their application beyond the human race, I know
+of no other passage in the Bible that teaches, directly or inferentially,
+that death among the inferior animals or plants resulted from man's
+apostasy. I do not deny that there may be a connection between these
+events; certainly the Scriptures do not teach the contrary. But they
+appear to me rather to leave the question of such a connection undecided,
+and open for the examination of philosophers. If so, we may reason
+concerning the dissolution of animals, except men, without reference to
+the Scriptures.
+
+_Under the second part of this investigation, I shall endeavor to show
+that geology proves violent and painful death to have existed in the world
+long before man's creation._
+
+In the oldest of the sedimentary rocks, the remains of animals occur in
+vast numbers; nor will any one, I trust, of ordinary intelligence, doubt
+but these relics once constituted living beings. Through the whole series
+of rocks, six miles in thickness, we find similar remains, even increasing
+in numbers as we ascend; but it is not till we reach the very highest
+stratum, the mere superficial coat of alluvium, that we find the remains
+of man. The vast multitudes, then, of organized beings that lie entombed
+in rocks below alluvium, must have yielded to death long before man
+received his sentence, _Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return._
+Will any one maintain that none of these animals preceded man in the
+period of their existence? Then why are the remains of men not found with
+theirs? for his bony skeleton is as likely to be preserved and petrified
+as theirs. Moreover, so unlike to man and other existing tenants of the
+globe are many of these ancient animals, that the sure laws of comparative
+anatomy show us, that both races could not live and flourish in a world
+adapted to the one or the other. If the temperature had been warm enough
+for the fossil tribes, and all the circumstances of food and climate
+congenial to their natures, they would have been unsuited to the present
+races; and if adapted to the latter, the former must have perished. The
+difference between the animals and plants dug out of the rocks in this
+latitude, and those now inhabiting the same region of country, is
+certainly as great as that between the animals and plants of the torrid
+and temperate zones; in most cases it is greater. Now, suppose that the
+animals and plants of the temperate zones were to change places with those
+between the tropics. A few species might survive, but the greater part
+would be destroyed. Hence, _a fortiori_, had the living beings now
+entombed in the rocks been placed in the same climate with those now alive
+upon the globe, the like result would have followed. I say _a fortiori_;
+that is, for a stronger reason, the greater number must have perished; and
+the stronger reason is, the greater difference between fossil and living
+species, than between the latter in torrid and temperate latitudes. It is
+true that man is among the species capable of being acclimated to great
+extremes. And yet no physiologist will imagine that even his nature could
+have long survived in such a climate as formerly existed, when probably
+the atmosphere was loaded with carbonic acid and other mephitic gases,
+and with moisture and miasms, the result of a rank vegetation, and of a
+temperature higher than now exists in equatorial countries.
+
+This argument, furnished by comparative anatomy, to show that man and the
+fossil animals could not have been contemporaries, will probably seem to
+have little force to those who are not familiar with the history of
+organic life on the globe, and the distribution of species. It is not
+generally known that both animals and plants are usually confined to a
+particular district, and that a removal beyond its boundaries, or the
+access of a few more degrees of cold, or heat, than is common in the place
+assigned them by nature, will destroy them. To him who understands this
+curious history, the argument under consideration is perfectly
+satisfactory, to prove the existence and consequent dissolution of myriads
+of living beings, anterior to man. "Judging by these indications of the
+habits of the animals," says the distinguished anatomist, Sir Charles
+Bell, "we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their
+period of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of
+the lacertae, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and finally, we learn
+that at any period previous to man's creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him. Any other hypothesis than that of a new
+creation of animals, suited to the successive changes in the inorganic
+matter of the globe, the condition of the water, atmosphere, and
+temperature, brings with it only an accumulation of difficulties."--_The
+Hand, its Mech._, &c. pp. 31 and 115.
+
+But when arguing with those who do not feel the force of this argument, I
+would fall back upon that derived from the fact, that of the ten thousand
+species of animals dug out of the rocks beneath alluvium, no relic of man
+has been found; and ask them whether they can explain such a fact, except
+by the supposition that man was not their contemporary.
+
+In his admirable Bridgewater Treatise, Dr. Buckland has conclusively shown
+that the same great system of organization and adaptation has always
+prevailed on the globe. It was the same in those immensely remote ages,
+when the fossil animals lived, as it now is. And there is one feature of
+that system which deserves notice in this argument. At present, we know
+that there exist large tribes of animals, called carnivorous, provided
+with organs expressly designed to enable them to destroy other animals,
+and of course to inflict on them violent and painful death. Exactly
+similar tribes, and in a like proportion, are found among the fossil
+animals. They were not always the same tribes; but when one class of
+carnivora disappeared, another was created to take their place, in order
+to keep down the excessive multiplication of other races, which appears to
+be the grand object accomplished by the carnivorous races. And that
+animals of such an organization not only lived in the ages preceding man's
+creation, but actually destroyed contemporary species, we have the
+evidence in the remains of the one animal enclosed in the body of another,
+by whom it was devoured for food and both are now converted into rock, and
+will testify to the most sceptical, that death among animals existed in
+the world before man's transgression.
+
+_Under the third part of this investigation, I shall attempt to show that
+physiology teaches us that death is a general law of organic natures._
+
+It is not confined to animals, but embraces also plants. As they
+correspond in a striking manner to animals in their reproduction and
+growth, so they do in their decay and dissolution. In short, wherever in
+nature we find life and organization, death is inevitable. The amount of
+vital energy varies in different species, and in individuals; but in them
+all, it at length becomes exhausted, and the functions cease. After a
+certain period, the vessels which convey the nutritive materials, and
+elaborate the proximate principles, become choked with excrementitious
+matter, assimilation is performed imperfectly, and gradually the vital
+energies are overpowered, and yield up their charge to the disorganizing
+power of chemical agencies. We can hardly see why the delicate machinery
+cannot hold out longer than it does, or even indefinitely. But experience
+shows us that an irresistible law of nature has fixed the period of its
+operations. In the expressive language of Scripture, which applies to
+plants as well as animals, _there is no discharge in that war_.
+
+A little reflection will convince any one, that in such a system as exists
+in the world, this universal decay and dissolution are indispensable. For
+dead organic matter is essential to the support and nourishment of living
+beings. Admit, for the sake of the argument, (although it is obviously
+absurd in respect to the carnivorous races,) that animals might be
+supported by vegetable food. Yet, if plants must furnish nourishment for
+their successors, as well as for animals, the organic matter must at
+length be exhausted. And, furthermore, how could animals feed on plants
+without destroying, as they now do, multitudes of minute insects and
+animalcules? It is obvious, also, that, for a variety of reasons, the
+multiplication of animals must soon be arrested, or famine would be the
+result, or the world would be more than full. In short, it would require
+an entirely different system in nature from the present, in order to
+exclude death from the world. To the existing system it is as essential
+as gravitation, and apparently just as much a law of nature.
+
+To strengthen this argument still further, comparative anatomy testifies
+that large classes of animals have a structure evidently intended to
+enable them to feed on other tribes. The teeth of the more perfect
+carnivorous animals are adapted for seizing and tearing their prey, while
+those which feed on vegetables have cutting and grinding teeth, but not
+the canine. So the whole digestive apparatus in the carnivora is more
+simple, and of less extent, than in the herbivorous tribes, while in the
+former the gastric juice acts more readily upon flesh, and in the latter
+upon vegetables. The muscular apparatus, also, is developed in greater
+power in the former than in the latter, especially in the neck and fore
+paw. Throughout all the classes of animals, those which feed on flesh are
+armed with poisonous fangs, or talons, or beaks, or other formidable
+weapons, while the vegetable feeders are usually in a great measure
+defenceless. In short, in the one class we find a perfect adaptation, in
+all the organs, for destroying, digesting, and assimilating other animals,
+and in the other class, an arrangement, equally obvious, for procuring and
+digesting vegetables. Indeed, you need only show the anatomist the
+skeleton, or even a very small part of the skeleton, of an unknown animal,
+to enable him, in most cases, to decide, what is the food of that animal,
+with almost as much certainty as if he had for years observed its habits.
+Who can doubt, then, that when a carnivorous animal employs the weapons
+with which nature has furnished it for the destruction of another animal,
+in order to satisfy its hunger, that it acts in obedience to a law of its
+being, originally impressed upon its constitution by the Creator? It is
+true, that even the flesh-eating animals may be taught for a time to
+subsist upon vegetable products. But this is unnatural; and such an
+animal usually pays the price of thus inverting its original instinct, by
+disease and premature decay. In a state of nature, an animal would starve
+rather than thus violate its instinctive desires.
+
+I will allude to only one other fact, that shows death to be inseparable
+from organized beings, without a constant miraculous interference, in such
+a world as ours. Animal organization, in all conceivable circumstances,
+must be liable to accident, from mere mechanical force, by which life
+would be destroyed. It may be possible, perhaps, to conceive of a material
+tenement for the soul, which should be unaffected by all forms of
+mechanical violence and chemical action; if, for instance, its
+constitution were analogous to that supposed medium through which light,
+heat, and electricity, and perhaps gravitation, act. But, surely, our
+present bodies are far enough removed from such conditions, being of all
+terrestrial things the most liable to ruin from the causes above
+mentioned.
+
+The conclusions from all these facts and reasonings are, that death is an
+essential feature of the present system of organized nature; that it must
+have entered into the plan of creation in the divine mind originally, and
+consequently must have existed in the world before the apostasy of man.
+Whether the entire system of death had any connection with that event, or
+whether there is any thing peculiar in the death endured by the human
+family, will be questions for examination in a subsequent part of my
+lecture.
+
+In opposition to these conclusions, however, the common theory of death
+maintains that, when man transgressed, there was an entire change
+throughout all organic nature; so that animals and plants, which before
+contained a principle of immortal life, were smitten with the hereditary
+contagion of disease and death. Those animals which, before that event,
+were gentle and herbivorous, or frugivorous, suddenly became ferocious or
+carnivorous. The climate, too, changed, and the sterile soil sent forth
+the thorn and the thistle, in the place of the rich flowers and fruits of
+Eden. The great English poet, in his Paradise Lost, has clothed this
+hypothesis in a most graphic and philosophical dress; and probably his
+descriptions have done more than the Bible to give it currency. Indeed,
+could the truth be known, I fancy that, on many points of secondary
+importance, the current theology of the day has been shaped quite as much
+by the ingenious machinery of Paradise Lost as by the Scriptures; the
+theologians having so mixed up the ideas of Milton with those derived from
+inspiration, that they find it difficult to distinguish between them.
+
+In the case under consideration, Milton does not limit the change induced
+by man's apostasy to sublunary things, but, like a sagacious philosopher,
+perceives, also, that the heavenly bodies must have been diverted from
+their paths.
+
+                  "At that tasted fruit,
+  The sun, as from Thyestian banquet, turned
+  His course intended; else-how had the world
+  Inhabited, though sinless, more than now,
+  Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat?"
+
+This change of the sun's path, as the poet well knew, could be effected
+only by some change in the motion of the earth.
+
+  "Some say he bid the angels turn askance
+  The poles of earth, twice ten degrees and more,
+  From the sun's axle; they with labor pushed
+  Oblique the centric globe."
+
+Next we have the effect upon the lower orders of animals described.
+
+                        "Discord first,
+  Daughter of sin, among the irrational
+  Death introduced: through fierce antipathy,
+  Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl,
+      And fish with fish; to graze the herb all leaving,
+  Devoured each other."
+
+The question arises here, whether such views are sustained by the Bible
+and by science. Few, I presume, would seriously maintain that the act of
+our first parents, which produced what Dr. Chalmers calls "an unhingement"
+of the human race, resulted likewise in a change in the motion of the
+earth and the heavenly bodies; since the Bible so clearly describes the
+previous ordination of days, years, and seasons, on the fourth day of
+creation. And is there any thing in the language of the Bible that will
+justify the opinion that such changes as this theory supposes took place
+in the productions of the earth, and in the nature of its animals? No
+anatomist can surely be made to believe that, without a constant miracle,
+our carnivorous animals can have become herbivorous, without such a change
+in their organization as must have amounted to a new creation. And such a
+metamorphosis can hardly have passed unnoticed by the sacred writer. True,
+only the gramineous and herbaceous substances are in the Bible given to
+the inferior animals for food, while the fruits are assigned to man. But
+this passage seems only to be a designation of one part of vegetable
+productions to men, and another to other animals, and can hardly be
+supposed to preclude the idea that there might be other tribes requiring
+animal food.
+
+The sentence pronounced upon the serpent for his agency in man's apostasy
+seems, at first view, favorable to the opinion that animal natures
+experienced at the same time important changes; for he is supposed to have
+been deprived of limbs, and condemned henceforth to crawl upon the earth,
+and to make the dust his food. But is it the most probable interpretation
+of this passage, which makes the tempter a literal serpent, or only a
+symbolical one? The naturalist does not surely find that serpents live
+upon dust, for they all are carnivorous, and they are as perfectly adapted
+to crawl upon the ground as other animals to different modes of
+progression; and though _cursed above all cattle_, they are apparently as
+happy as other animals. Hence the probability is, that an evil spirit is
+described in Genesis under the name and figure of a serpent. This
+conclusion is supported by other parts of Scripture, where the tempter is
+in several places declared to be _the devil_, _the old serpent_, and _the
+great dragon_.
+
+A part of the sentence passed upon man seems, also, at first view, to
+imply an important change in the vegetable productions of the earth; for
+the ground is cursed for man's sake: it would henceforth produce to him
+thorns and thistles, and in the sweat of his brow must he eat of the
+fruits of it, all the days of his life. Now, will not the condition and
+character of Adam show how this curse might be fulfilled, without any
+change in the productions of the soil? The garden of Eden, where man had
+lived in his innocence, was doubtless some sunny and balmy spot, where the
+air was delicious, and the earth poured forth her abundant fruits
+spontaneously; and although he was called to keep and dress that garden,
+yet, with a contented and holy heart, and with no factitious wants, the
+work was neither labor nor sorrow. But now he is driven from that garden
+into regions far less fertile, where the sterile soil can be made to
+yield its fruits only by the sweat of the brow, and where the thorn and
+the thistle dispute their right of soil with salutary plants; and in his
+heart, too, unholy and unsubdued passions have place, which will infuse
+sorrow into all his labors.
+
+As I have remarked in another place, I cannot see why the functions of
+animal and vegetable organization might not have gone on forever without
+decay and death, if such had been the Creator's will. In other words, I do
+not see why the operation of the organs should at length be impeded and
+cease, as we know they do universally. Hence I can conceive that it might
+have been otherwise originally; and in the case of man it is possible, as
+we shall see farther on, that a change of this sort may have taken place
+at the time of his apostasy. But, after all, it strikes me that the Bible
+furnishes very clear evidence that the same system of decay and death
+prevailed before the apostasy which now prevails. The command given, both
+to animals and to man, to be fruitful and multiply, implies the removal of
+successive races by death; otherwise the world would ere long be
+overstocked. A system of death is certainly a necessary counterpart to a
+system of reproduction; and hence, where we know the one to exist, the
+presumption is very strong that the other exists also. There is no escape
+from this inference, except to call in the aid of miraculous power to
+preserve the proper balance among different races of animals, by
+preventing their multiplication. Such an interference I am always ready to
+admit, where the Scriptures assert it. But to imagine a miracle without
+proof, merely to escape a fair conclusion, is, to say the least, very
+wretched logic. God never introduces a miracle where he can employ the
+ordinary agency of nature for accomplishing his purposes. Nor should we
+resort to one without the express testimony of the Bible, which, on this
+subject, is our only source of evidence.
+
+We have in Scripture the same kind of proof that plants were subject to
+decay and death, before the fall, as we have in respect to animals. For in
+the account of the creation of plants on the third day, we find them
+described as bearing seeds; and does not this clearly imply the same
+system of reproduction which now exists throughout the vegetable kingdom?
+In short, an unprejudiced mind, in reading the history of the world in
+Genesis, before and after the fall, can hardly fail of the conviction,
+that animals and plants were originally created on the same plan, as to
+reproduction, decay, and death, which now prevails. Great, indeed, must
+have been the change at the fall, if, previous to that time, their
+structure excluded all the organs and means of reproduction; as must have
+been the case if decay and death were also excluded. And it is strange
+that the sacred writer should take no notice of such a change. He states
+the effect of sin upon the three parties directly concerned in it, viz.,
+the tempter, Adam, and Eve; and if a transformation of all vegetable and
+animal natures, great enough almost to constitute a new creation, did take
+place, it could hardly have been passed in silence. Even in the case of
+man, we have no remarkable physical change. The effect seems to have been
+chiefly confined to his intellectual constitution, where we should expect
+the effect of sin to be primarily felt. There, indeed, in man's noblest
+part, has the havoc been the most terrific, and powerfully has its
+operation there reacted upon the body, so as to make death, in the case of
+man, the king of terrors.
+
+We find, then, insuperable objections to the prevalent notion that an
+entire revolution took place at the fall in the material world, and
+especially in organic nature. Those passages of Scripture which,
+literally interpreted, seem to imply some changes of this sort, are easily
+understood as vivid figurative representations of the effects of sin upon
+men, while their literal interpretation would involve us in inextricable
+difficulties. We rest, therefore, in the conclusion, that, whatever
+connection there may be between death and the existing system of organic
+and inorganic nature, no important change took place at the time of man's
+first transgression; in other Words, the present system is that which was
+originally determined upon in the divine mind, and not the original plan
+altered after man's transgression.
+
+_The fourth step in the investigation of this subject leads me to attempt
+to show that, in the present system of the world, death, to the inferior
+animals, is a benevolent provision, and to man, also, when not aggravated
+or converted into a curse by his own sin._
+
+In examining this point, as well as many others in natural theology, where
+the existence of evil is concerned, we must assume that the present system
+of the world is the best which infinite wisdom and benevolence could
+devise. And this we may consistently do. For the prominent design
+throughout nature appears to be beneficial to animal natures, and
+suffering is only incidental, and happiness, moreover, is superadded to
+the functions of animals, where it is unnecessary to the perfect
+performance of the function. We may be certain, therefore, that the Author
+of such a system can neither be malevolent nor indifferent to the
+happiness of animals, but must be benevolent; and, therefore, the system
+must be the best possible, since such a Being could constitute no other.
+
+Now, death being an essential feature of such a system, we should expect
+to find it, as a whole, a benevolent provision. But, in the case of man,
+the Bible represents it as a penal infliction, and such is its general
+aspect in the human family. So far as the mere extinction of life is
+concerned, it is the same in man as in other animals; but sin arms it with
+a deadly sting, by pointing the offender to a world of retribution, as he
+sees the menacing dart of the great destroyer aimed at his heart. And,
+indeed, through all his days, man's power of anticipation keeps death ever
+before him, as the end of all his present enjoyments, and the
+commencement, it may be, of unmitigated suffering. But the inferior
+animals, being incapable of sin, find none of these aggravations to give
+keenness to their final sufferings. No anticipation of death keeps it ever
+in view, as a terrific enemy. No guilty conscience points them to a
+righteous throne of judgment, where they must be arraigned. But when the
+stroke comes, it falls unexpectedly, and the mere physical suffering is
+all that gives severity to their dissolution.
+
+In the case of man, too, there is the sundering of ties too strong for any
+thing but death to break;--ties which bind him to kindred, friends, and
+country; and often this separation constitutes the most painful part of
+the closing scene. But in the case of animals, we have no reason to
+suppose these attachments, so far as they exist, to be very strong; nay,
+in most cases they are certainly very weak. And even did they exist, the
+brute would not be conscious that death would remove him from the society
+of his beloved companions.
+
+The inferior animals, also, usually die either a violent and sudden death,
+inflicted by some carnivorous enemy, or in extreme old age, by mere decay
+of the natural powers, without disease. The violent death can usually have
+in it little of suffering; and the slow decay still less. But although
+some men die violent deaths, how few survive to extreme old age, and sink
+at last almost unconsciously into the grave, because the vital energies
+are exhausted! Were this the case, the physical terrors of death would be
+almost taken away, and we should pass as quietly into eternity as a lamp
+goes out when the oil is exhausted. But in general we see a constitution
+yet unbroken, struggling with fierce disease, and yielding to its fate
+only with terrific agonies; because sin has early implanted the seeds of
+disease in the constitution.
+
+Imagine, now, that death should come upon a man in the course of nature;
+that is, without disease, and with little suffering, and with no painful
+forebodings of conscience. Suppose, moreover, that the dying individual
+should feel that the change passing upon him would assuredly introduce him
+to a new and spiritual body, undecaying, and adapted to the operations of
+the mind; that it would, in fact, be _the building of God, the house not
+made with hands, eternal in the heavens_; and that the soul, after death,
+would enter into free and full communion with all that is great and
+ennobling in the universe; and that joys, inconceivable and eternal, would
+henceforth be its portion: O, how different would such a death be from
+what we usually witness! Yet, were men all to accept of the offered ransom
+from sin and death, and, under the guidance of pure religious principle,
+were to pay a strict regard to hygienic laws, such would be, for the most
+part, the character of the death they would experience. The excepted cases
+would be those of violent and sudden death from accident, or of disease
+from unavoidable exposure, and they would be comparatively few. So that,
+in fact, an observance of the laws, physical and moral, which God has
+ordained, would change almost the entire aspect of death, even in this
+fallen world.
+
+These remarks seem necessary in order to obtain a correct idea of the
+character of death, when not aggravated by the sins of men. For those
+aggravations seem superadded, in the case of men, as penal inflictions for
+their sins; and we ought to leave them out of the account, when we are
+considering death as a benevolent provision. I do not contend that death,
+even in its mildest forms, is no evil; nor that the apostasy of man was
+not the cause of its introduction into the world. These points I shall
+consider in another place. But I contend that, in the present system of
+the world, death, when not aggravated by the sins of men, is to be
+regarded as a benevolent provision, bringing with it more happiness than
+misery; although, had sin never existed, a system productive of still
+greater enjoyment might have been adopted in this world. But as the
+arrangements of the world now are, death affords the following evidences
+of infinite benevolence and wisdom.
+
+In the _first place_, it is a transfer from a lower to a higher state of
+existence.
+
+Let me here be understood distinctly as speaking only of the death of
+those accountable beings, who, by the transforming power of grace, have
+become prepared for a higher and perfectly holy state of being. For the
+death of all others can be looked on only in the light of a terrible penal
+infliction. But the righteous, when they die,--and all may, if they will,
+become righteous,--have before them the certain prospect of immortal
+happiness, such as _eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it
+entered the heart of man to conceive_. They enter upon _fulness of joy,
+and pleasures forevermore_; and therefore death to them is infinite gain.
+
+Whether the inferior animals will exist again after death is a more
+doubtful point. There is certainly nothing in Scripture decisive against
+their future existence; for the passage in Psalms which says, that _man
+that is in honor and abideth not is like the brutes that perish_, if
+understood to mean the annihilation of animals, would prove also the
+annihilation of wicked men. And while most men of learning and piety have
+suspended their opinion on the existence of the inferior animals after
+death, for want of evidence, some have been decided advocates of the
+future happy existence of all beings, who exhibit a spark of intelligence.
+Not a few distinguished German theologians and philosophers regard the
+whole visible creation, both animate and inanimate, as at present in a
+confined and depressed state, and struggling for freedom. On this
+principle Tholuck explains that most difficult passage in Romans, which
+declares _that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain
+until now_. He supposes this "bound or fettered state of nature," both
+animate and inanimate, to have a casual connection with sin, and the death
+accompanying it among men; and, therefore, when men are freed from sin and
+death, _the creation itself, also, shall be delivered from the bondage of
+corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God_. The kingdom
+of God, according to Tholuck, Martin Luther, and many other distinguished
+theologians, will not be transferred to heaven at the end of the world,
+but be established on earth, where all these transformations of the
+animate and inanimate creation will take place.
+
+This exposition surely carries with it a great deal of naturalness and
+probability; and if it be true, death to the inferior animals must surely
+be an indication of great benevolence on the part of the Deity, since it
+introduces them to a higher state of existence. But if it be rejected,
+still the general principle is eminently applicable to the case of man.
+
+In the _second place_, the system of a succession of races of animals on
+earth, which death alone would render possible, secures a much greater
+collective amount of happiness than a single race of animals, endowed with
+earthly immortality. I sustain this position by three arguments. The first
+is, that young animals enjoy more, in the same period of time, than those
+more advanced in age. This may result, in part, in the present
+organization of animals, from the superior health and vigor enjoyed by the
+young. But it is due, also, in part, and largely, to the novelty of the
+scenes presented in early life. And so far as it results from the latter
+cause, it proves that a succession of races would enjoy more than a single
+race continued indefinitely, because the successive races would always be
+comparatively young. A single continuous race might, indeed, be supposed
+always possessed of the unabated vigor and health of youth; but, of
+necessity, objects must soon lose the charm of novelty, and, therefore,
+produce less of enjoyment. The second argument is, that a succession of
+races admits of the contemporaneous existence of a greater number of
+species than could coexist were none removed by death. If only one undying
+race occupied the globe, it must subsist exclusively on vegetable food.
+Whereas much the largest part of the species that now live are carnivorous
+or omnivorous. All the enjoyment of these flesh-eating animals is,
+therefore, so much clear gain to the stock of happiness, with the
+exception of the suffering which death inflicts. Now, but few of the
+inferior animals perish by disease. Some die by old age, and these suffer
+almost nothing. But the greater part are suddenly destroyed by the violent
+assault of the carnivorous races. And as the pangs of death are momentary,
+and there are no anticipations of its approach, nor sunderings of the ties
+of affection, nor dread of an hereafter, the suffering endured must be an
+exceedingly small drawback upon the enjoyment of the whole life. It is
+far less than it would be, if animals were left to perish by famine, or by
+slow degrees, from deficient nourishment; so that the existence of the
+carnivorous races, seeming at first view intended to convert the world
+into a vast Golgotha, does in fact add greatly to the amount of enjoyment,
+because it so prodigiously multiplies the number of species of animals,
+and lessens the sufferings of death. In the third place, death exerts a
+salutary moral influence upon man, and, as a consequence, swells the
+amount of his happiness. And although this consideration affects only one
+species, yet man's position on the scale of being makes his happiness an
+object of no small importance.
+
+The final conclusions at which we arrive, then, are, first, that death is
+a fixed and universal law of nature, essential to the existence of the
+present system of the world; and secondly, that, like all other laws of
+nature, it exhibits marks of benevolence, and wise adaptation on the part
+of the Author of nature. The question will indeed arise in every
+reflecting mind, why a Being of infinite power and wisdom could not have
+secured to his creatures the benefits resulting from a system of death,
+without the attendant suffering. But this question resolves itself into
+the inquiry, why evil exists at all; and although, in my own view, it
+exists most probably as a means of greater happiness to the universe, yet
+on this point the wisest minds have differed and been baffled, and equally
+perplexing is it to every form of religion. Hence it is no objection to
+any views we may adopt, that they leave this question where they found it.
+
+_The fifth and last step in our investigation of this subject is to show
+how science, experience, and revelation may be reconciled on the subject
+of death._
+
+We have seen that geology is not alone in proving death to be a law of
+nature, essential to the present system of the world, and, indeed,
+indicative of divine wisdom and benevolence. For anatomy and physiology,
+as well as experience, teach us the same truths. And natural theology
+shows that, if death is a law of organic nature, it must have entered into
+the plan of the universe in the divine mind, and was not the result of any
+change of organic nature subsequent to the fall of man. Can these views be
+reconciled with the declarations of Scripture, which certainly represent
+death among the human family, if not among the lower animals, to be the
+consequence of sin?
+
+There are three suppositions by which all apparent discrepancy between
+science and revelation, on this subject, may be removed. I shall present
+them, with the arguments in their favor, leaving to others to decide which
+is most reasonable. For they are independent of one another, though not
+inconsistent; and, therefore, even though different persons should prefer
+different theories, they need not be regarded as in opposition to one
+another.
+
+The first theory proceeds on the supposition that death is a universal law
+of organic nature, from which man was exempted so long as he obeyed the
+law of God. But I will present it in the language of its distinguished
+author. "In the state of pristine purity," says Dr. J. Pye Smith, "the
+bodily constitution of man was exempted from the law of progress towards
+dissolution, which belonged to the inferior animals. It must have been
+maintained in that distinguished peculiarity by means to us unknown; and
+it would seem probable that, had not man fallen by his transgression, he,
+and each of his posterity, would, after faithfully sustaining an
+individual probation, have passed through a change without dying, and have
+been exalted to a more perfect state of existence."--_Scrip. and Geol._
+4th ed. p. 208.
+
+According to this theory of Dr. Smith, man saw all other organic beings
+around him subject to decay and death, while he, as a special favor,
+remained unaffected by the general law. The penalty of disobedience was,
+that he would forfeit this enviable distinction, and be subjected to death
+more revolting than the brutes. The reward of obedience was a continued
+immunity from evil, and a final translation, without suffering, to a more
+exalted condition. And certainly the nature of the case furnishes a strong
+presumptive argument to show that man did thus stand exempted from the
+decay and death which reigned all around him. If not, what weight or
+meaning would there be in the penalty? If he had not seen death in other
+animals, how could he have any idea of the nature of the threatening? And
+we may be sure that God never promulgates a penalty without affording his
+subjects the means of comprehending it.
+
+I have already intimated that I could hardly see why there exists in all
+organic natures a tendency to decay and death, except in the will of the
+Creator. May not that tendency result, like the varieties among men, from
+some slightly modifying cause implanted by the Deity in the nature of the
+animal or plant? And if so, might not an opposite tendency be imparted to
+one or more species, so that the decay and death of the one, and the
+continued existence of the other, might be equally well explained on
+physiological principles? If this suggestion be admitted, it would not be
+necessary to resort to any supernatural or miraculous agency to show how
+sinless man in paradise might have stood unaffected by decay, the common
+lot of all other races. It must be confessed, however, that it is not as
+easy to see how, by any natural law, he could have been proof against
+mechanical violence and chemical agencies; there we must admit miraculous
+protection, or a self-restoring power more wonderful than that possessed
+by the polypi.
+
+These views receive strong confirmation from the history of the tree of
+life, that grew in the garden of Eden. The very name implies that it was
+intended to give or preserve life. That it had in it a power to preserve
+life is evident from the sentence pronounced on man. _And the Lord God
+saith, Behold, the man hath become as one of us, to know good and evil;
+and now, lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
+life, and live forever, therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the
+garden of Eden._ Now, it appears to me to be in perfect harmony with the
+principles of physiology to suppose that there might be a virtue in the
+tree of life--either in its fruit or some other part--to arrest that
+tendency to decay and dissolution which we now find in all animal bodies.
+It does seem that it would require only some slight modification of the
+present functions of the human frame to keep the wheels of life in motion
+indefinitely. When in Eden, man had access to this sure defence against
+disease. But after he had sinned, he must forfeit this privilege, and,
+like the plants and inferior animals, submit to the universal law of
+dissolution. Surely, of all the expositions that have been given of the
+meaning of this passage, this is the most rational, and it does throw an
+air of great plausibility over Dr. Smith's views.
+
+It will occur to every reflecting mind that we have in Scripture a few
+interesting examples of that change, without dying, from the present to a
+higher state of being, which the theory of Dr. Smith supposes would have
+been the happy lot of all mankind had they not sinned. _By faith Enoch was
+translated, that he should not see death. He walked with God, and he was
+not; for God took him._ Gladly would philosophys here interpose a
+thousand questions as to the manner in which this wonderful change took
+place; but the Scriptures are silent. It was enough for the heart of piety
+that God was the author of the change. And so, in the case of Elijah, we
+have the sublimely simple description only--_And it came to pass, as they
+still went on and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,
+and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a
+whirlwind into heaven._ Except the transfiguration of Christ, which
+appears to have been of an analogous character, these are all the actual
+examples of translation on record. But the apostle declares that, in the
+closing scene of this world's history, this same change shall pass upon
+multitudes. _Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep; but we
+shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
+trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
+incorruptible, and we shall be changed._ Abundant evidence is, therefore,
+before us, that the great change which death now causes us to pass through
+with fear and dread, might as easily have been, for the whole human
+family, a transition delightful in anticipation and joyful in experience.
+
+The second theory which will reconcile science and revelation on the
+subject of death, is one long since illustrated by Jeremy Taylor. And
+since he could have had no reference to geology in proposing it, because
+geology did not exist in his day, we may be sure, either that he learnt it
+from the Bible, or that other branches of knowledge teach the existence of
+death as a general law of nature, as well as geology.
+
+"That death, therefore," says Taylor, "which God threatened to Adam, and
+which passed upon his posterity, is not the going out of this world, but
+the manner of going. If he had staid in innocence, he should have gone
+placidly and fairly, without vexatious and afflictive circumstances; he
+should not have died by sickness, defect, misfortune, or unwillingness.
+But when he fell, then he began to die; the same day, (God said,) and that
+must needs be true; and, therefore, it must mean upon that very day he
+fell into an evil and dangerous condition, a state of change and
+affliction; then death began; that is, man began to die by a natural
+diminution, and aptness to disease and misery. Change or separation of
+soul and body is but accidental to death; death may be with or without
+either; but the formality, the curse, and the sting,--that is, misery,
+sorrow, fear, diminution, defect, anguish, dishonor, and whatsoever is
+miserable and afflictive in nature,--that is death. Death is not an
+action, but a whole state and condition; and this was first brought in
+upon us by the offence of one man."
+
+In more recent times, the essential features of these views of Taylor have
+been adopted by the ablest commentators and theologians, and sustained by
+an appeal to Scripture.[9] The position which they take is, that the death
+threatened as the penalty of disobedience has a more extended meaning than
+physical death. It is a generic term, including all penal evils; so that
+when death is spoken of as the penalty of sin, we may substitute the word
+_curse_, _wrath_, _destruction_, and the like. Thus, in Gen. ii. 17, we
+might read, _In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely be cursed_:
+and in Rom. v. 12, _By one man sin entered into the world, and the curse
+by sin_, &c. In his commentary on this passage, Professor Stuart says, "I
+see no _philological_ escape from the conclusion that death, in the sense
+of _penalty for sin in its full measure_, must be regarded as the meaning
+of the writer here." The same may be said of many other passages of
+Scripture, where the term _death_ is used.
+
+According to this exposition, the death threatened as the penalty of
+transgression embraces all the evils we suffer in this life and in
+eternity; among which the dissolution of the body is not one of the worst.
+Indeed, some writers will not admit that this was included at all in the
+penalty. Such, of course, find no difficulty in the geological statement
+that literal death preceded man's existence. But from the declaration in 1
+Cor. xv. 22, _As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
+alive_, it seems difficult to avoid the conclusion, that the death of the
+body was brought in upon the race by Adam's transgression. According to
+Taylor's view, however, we might reasonably suppose that what constituted
+the death threatened to Adam was not the going out of the world, but the
+manner of going, and that, had he continued holy, a change of worlds might
+have taken place, but it would not have been death.
+
+Now, there are some facts, both in experience and revelation, that give to
+these views an air of probability. One is, the mild character of death in
+many cases, when attended by only a few of the circumstances above
+enumerated, as constituting its essence. I believe that experience
+sustains the conclusion already drawn as to the inferior animals, when not
+aggravated by human cruelty. Pain is about the only circumstance that
+gives it the character of severity; and this is usually short, and not
+anticipated. Nor can it be doubted, as a general fact, that, as we descend
+along the scale of animals, we find the sensibility to suffering diminish.
+But in the human family we find examples still more to the point. In all
+those cases in which there is little or no disease, and a man in
+venerable old age feels the powers of life gradually give way, and the
+functions are feebly performed, until the heart at length ceases to beat,
+and the lungs to heave, death is merely the quiet and unconscious
+termination of the scene, so far as the physical nature is concerned. The
+brain partakes of the gradual decay, and thus the man is scarcely
+conscious of the failure of his powers, because his sensibilities are so
+blunted; and therefore, apart from sin, his mind feels little of the
+anguish of dissolution, and he quietly resigns himself into the arms of
+death,--
+
+                  "As sweetly as a child,
+  Whom neither thought disturbs, nor care encumbers,
+  Tired with long play, at close of summer's day,
+  Lies down and slumbers."
+
+If now, in addition to this physical preparation for his departure, the
+man possesses a deep consciousness of forgiven sin, and a firm hope of
+future and eternal joy, this change, which we call death, becomes only a
+joyful translation from earth to heaven; and though the man passes from
+our view,--
+
+                              "He sets,
+  As sets the morning star, which goes not down
+  Behind the darkened west, nor hides obscured
+  Among the tempests of the sky, but melts away
+  Into the light of heaven."
+
+Nay, when such faith and hope form an anchor to the soul, it is not
+necessary that the physical preparation, which I have described, should
+exist. The poor body may be torn by fierce disease, nay, by the infernal
+cruelties of martyrdom, and yet faith can rise--often has risen--over the
+pains of nature, in joyful triumph; and in the midst of the tempest, with
+her anchor fastened to the eternal Rock, she can exclaim, _O death, where
+is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be to God, which
+giveth me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ._ Surely such a
+dissolution as this cannot mean the death mentioned in the primeval curse.
+
+Look now at the contrast. Behold a man writhing in the fangs of
+unrelenting disease, and feeling at the same time the scorpion sting of a
+guilty conscience. His present suffering is terrible, but that in prospect
+is more so; yet he cannot bribe the king of terrors to delay the fatal
+stroke.
+
+                                    "The foe,
+  Like a stanch murderer, steady to his purpose,
+  Urges the soul through every nook and lane of life."
+
+It were enough for an unruffled mind to bear the bodily anguish of that
+dying hour. But the unpardoned sins of a whole life, and the awful
+retributions of a whole eternity, come crowding into that point of time;
+and no human fortitude can stand under the crushing load. This, this is
+emphatically death; the genuine fruit of sin, and therefore in
+correspondence with the original threatening.
+
+If we turn now to the Scriptures, we shall find some passages in striking
+agreement with the opinion that the death threatened to man was not the
+mere dissolution of the body and soul; not a mere going out of the world,
+but the manner of going.
+
+This is, indeed, made exceedingly probable by the facts already stated
+respecting the translation of Enoch and Elijah, and those alive at the
+coming of Christ. For the sacred writers do not call this death, although
+it be a removal out of the world, and a transformation of the natural into
+the spiritual body. Hence, upon the material part of men, the same effects
+were produced as result from ordinary death, and the subsequent
+resurrection.
+
+If we recur to the original threatening of death as the consequence of
+sin, we shall find a peculiarity in the form of expression, which our
+English translators have rendered by the phrase _thou shalt surely die_;
+but literally it should be, _dying thou shalt die_.
+
+This mode of expression is indeed very common in the Hebrew language; but
+it certainly was meant to indicate an intensity in the meaning, as in the
+phrase _blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee_;
+that is, I will greatly multiply thee. Must it not imply, in the case
+under consideration, at least that the death which would be the
+consequence of transgression, would possess an aggravated character? May
+it not imply as much as Taylor's theory supposes? Might it not be intended
+to teach Adam that, when he died, his death should not be simply the
+dissolution of the animal fabric, and the loss of animal life, as he
+witnessed it in the inferior creatures around him; but a change far more
+agonizing, in which the mental suffering should so much outweigh the
+corporeal as to constitute, in fact, its essence? I do not assert that
+this passage has such an extended meaning, but I suggest it. And I confess
+that I do not see why its peculiarity of form is understood in our common
+translation to imply certainty rather than intensity.
+
+There is another part of the threatening that deserves consideration. It
+says, that man should not only die, but die the very day of the offence.
+Now, if by death we understood merely a removal out of the world, or a
+separation of soul and body, the threatening was not executed after the
+forbidden fruit was tasted. But if it meant also, and chiefly, a state of
+sorrow, pain, and suffering, a liability to disease and fatal accident,
+the goadings of a guilty conscience, and the consequent fear of punishment
+beyond the grave, then death began on the very day when man sinned, and
+the dissolution of the soul and body was but the closing scene of the
+tragedy.
+
+The beautiful passage in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, already
+quoted, where the Christian, in view of death, exultingly exclaims, _O
+death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory!_ will doubtless
+occur to all who hear me, in this connection. Here the sting of death is
+expressly declared to be sin, and that the pardoned Christian obtains the
+victory over it. To him all that renders this king of terrors formidable
+is gone. Its physical sufferings may indeed be left, but these are hardly
+worth naming, when that which constitutes the sting of this great
+enemy--unpardoned guilt--is taken away. Little more than his harmless
+shadow is left. Worlds, indeed, are to be exchanged, and so they must have
+been if Adam had never been driven from paradise. The eyes, too, must
+close on beloved friends; but how soon to open them upon the bright
+glories of heaven! In short, the strong impression of this passage upon
+the mind is, that the essential thing in death is unpardoned sin; and
+therefore the death threatened to Adam may have been only the terrible
+aggravations of a departure out of this world, which have followed in the
+train of transgression.
+
+Another striking passage, bearing upon the same point, is the declaration
+of Paul, that _Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and brought life and
+immortality to light through the gospel_.
+
+The apostle does not surely mean that Christians are freed from what is
+commonly called death, since universal experience shows that animal life
+in them is as sure to be extinguished, and the soul to be separated from
+the body, as in others. But so different is death now, since Christ has
+brought to light a future and an immortal life, and by the sacrifice of
+himself shown how the heart may be reconciled to God, and sin forgiven,
+and faith inspired, that, in fact, while the shadow of death still
+occupies the passage to eternity, its substance is gone.
+
+That death, which sin introduced, Christ has abolished, because, by his
+sacrifice and his grace, he has conquered sin.
+
+Upon the whole, though we may not be convinced that either of the theories
+that have been explained is directly taught in the Scriptures, or can be
+shown to be infallibly true, yet they are sustained by probable evidence
+enough to remove the apprehension that there is any real discrepancy
+between geology and revelation on the subject of death. Between these
+theories there is but a slight difference. They are in fact but
+modifications of the same general principles; and I say it would be more
+philosophical to admit the truth of either of them, than a disagreement
+between science and Scripture, since the truth of both geology and
+revelation is sustained by such a mass of independent evidence.
+
+An objection, however, may be stated against both of these theories, on
+the ground that they seem to imply that death would have existed in the
+world, irrespective of the sin of man, and therefore they lessen our sense
+of the evil of sin.
+
+It may be doubted, I think, whether these theories do necessarily imply
+that there was no connection between the sin of man and the introduction
+of death into the world. But, admitting that they do, is it certain that
+inadequate views of sin are the result? For poetic effect, we admire the
+sublime sentimentalism of Milton:--
+
+  "Earth felt the wound; and Nature, from her seat,
+  Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe
+  That all was lost."
+
+But, after all, the deepest impression we get of the evil of sin is
+derived from contemplating its effects upon man, and especially the
+immortal mind. Witness its lofty powers bowed down in ignominious
+servitude to base corporeal appetites and furious and debasing passions.
+See how the understanding is darkened, the will perverted, and the heart
+alienated from all that is holy. See reason and conscience dethroned, and
+selfishness reigning in gloomy and undisputed tyranny over the immortal
+mind, while appetite and passion have become its obsequious panders. See
+how the affections turn away with loathing from God, and what a wall of
+separation has sprung up between man and his Maker; how deeply and
+universally he has revolted from his rightful sovereign, and has chosen
+other gods to rule over him. Consider, too, what havoc has been made in
+the body, that curious and wonderful workmanship of the Almighty; how the
+unbridled appetites have sown the seeds of disease therein, and how pain,
+languor, and decay assail the constitution as soon as we begin to live,
+and cease not their attacks till they triumph over the citadel of life.
+Consult the history of the world, and what a lazar-house and a Golgotha
+has it been! What land has not been drenched in human blood, poured out in
+ferocious war! What oceans of tears has the thirsty soil drank up! What
+breeze has ever blown over the land which has not been loaded with sighs,
+and groans, and the story of wrong and oppression, of treachery and
+murder, of suicide and assassination, of blasted hopes and despairing
+hearts! These, therefore, are the genuine fruits of sin. This, this is
+death. And, need I add that these are but the precursors of the second
+death?
+
+The third theory respecting death takes a more comprehensive view of the
+subject, and traces its origin to the divine plan of the creation.
+
+In creating this world, God did not act without a plan previously
+determined upon in all its details. Of course, man's character and
+condition formed prominent items in that plan. His apostasy, too, however
+some would hesitate to regard it as predetermined, all will allow to have
+been foreknown. Now, I maintain that God, in the beginning, adapted every
+other being and event in the world to man's character and condition, so
+that there should be entire harmony in its system. And since, either in
+the divine appointment, or in the nature of things, there is an
+inseparable connection between sin and death, the latter must constitute a
+feature of the system of the world, because a free agent would introduce
+the former. Death would ultimately exist in the world, and, therefore, all
+creatures placed in such a world must be made mortal, at whatever period
+created. For mortal and immortal natures could not exist in the same
+natural constitution, nor could a condition adapted to undying creatures
+be changed into a state of decay and death without an entirely new
+creation. Death, therefore, entered into the original plan of the world in
+the divine mind, and was endured by the animals and plants that lived
+anterior to man. Yet, as the constitution of the world is, doubtless, very
+different from what it would have been if sin had not existed in it, and
+as man alone was capable of sin, it is proper to regard man's
+transgression as the occasion of all the suffering and death that existed
+on the globe since its creation.
+
+It will probably be objected to this theory, that it is unjust to make
+animals suffer for man's apostasy, especially before it took place.
+
+I do not see why such suffering is any more unjust before than after man's
+transgression; and we know that they do now suffer in consequence of his
+sin. But this suffering is not to be regarded in the light of punishment;
+and if it can only be proved that benevolence predominates in the
+condition of animals, notwithstanding their sufferings, divine justice and
+benevolence are vindicated; and can there be any doubt that such is the
+fact? Death is not necessarily an evil to any animals. It may be a great
+blessing, by removing them to a higher state of existence. In the case of
+the inferior animals, it is but a small drawback upon the pleasure of
+life, even though they do not exist hereafter. We have endeavored to show
+that even the existence of carnivorous races is a benevolent provision.
+That animals are placed in an inferior condition, in consequence of man's
+apostasy, is no more cause of complaint than that man is made a little
+lower than the angels.
+
+Another objection to these views is, that it makes the effect precede the
+cause; for it-represents the pre-Adamic animals as dying in consequence of
+man's transgression.
+
+I do not maintain that the death of animals, before or after Adam, was the
+direct and natural consequence of his transgression. Nay, I am endeavoring
+to show directly the contrary. But, then, the certainty of man's apostasy
+might have been the grand reason in the divine mind for giving to the
+world its present constitution, and subjecting animals to death. Not that
+God altered his plan upon a prospective knowledge that man would sin; but
+he made this plan originally, that is from eternity, with that event in
+view, and he made it different from what it would have been, if such an
+event had not been certain. If this be true, then was there a connection
+between man's sin and the death that reigned before his existence; though,
+in strict accuracy of speech, one can hardly be called the cause of the
+other. And yet it was, as I maintain, occasioned by man's sin, and shows
+the wide-spread influence of that occurrence, even more strikingly than
+the ordinary theory of death.
+
+A third objection to this theory is, that it represents God as putting man
+in a place of punishment before he had sinned; or, at least, in a state
+where death was the universal law, and where he must die, though he should
+keep the law of God.
+
+There are three suppositions, either of which will meet this difficulty.
+
+We may suppose, with Jeremy Taylor, that the death threatened to Adam
+consisted, not in going out of the world, but in the manner of going. If
+he had not sinned, the exchange of worlds would have been without fear or
+suffering, and an object of desire rather than aversion. Christ has not
+secured to the believer the privilege of an earthly immortality, but has
+taken away from a removal out of the world all that constitutes death.
+
+Or we may suppose, with Dr. J. Pye Smith, that, while man should continue
+to keep the divine law, he would be secured from that tendency to decay
+and dissolution, which was the common lot of all other creatures, until
+the time should come for his removal, without suffering or dread, to a
+higher state of existence. And that a means of immunity from death existed
+in the garden of Eden we learn from the Scriptures. For there stood the
+tree of life, whose fruit had the power to make man live forever, and,
+therefore, he must be banished from the spot where it grew.
+
+Or, finally, we may suppose that God fitted up for man some balmy spot,
+where neither decay nor death could enter, and where every thing was
+adapted for a being of perfect holiness and happiness. His privilege was
+to dwell there, so long as he could preserve his innocence, but no longer.
+And surely this supposition seems to accord with the description of the
+garden of Eden, man's first dwelling-place. There every thing seems to
+have been adapted to his happiness; but sin drove him out among the thorns
+and thistles, and a cherubim and a flaming sword forbade his return to
+the tree of life.
+
+Either of these suppositions will meet the difficulty suggested by the
+objection; or they may all be combined consistently. Let us now look at
+some of the advantages of the third theory above advanced.
+
+In the first place, it satisfactorily harmonizes revelation with geology,
+physiology, and experience, on the subject of death. It agrees with
+physiology and experience in representing death to be a law of organic
+being on the globe. Yet it accords with revelation, in showing how this
+law may be a result of man's apostasy; and with geology, also, in showing
+how death might have reigned over animals and plants before man's
+existence. To remove so many apparent discrepancies is surely a
+presumption in favor of any theory.
+
+In the second place, the fundamental principle of this theory is also a
+fundamental principle of natural and revealed theology, viz., that all
+events in this world entered originally into the plan or purpose of the
+Deity. To suppose that God made the world without a plan previously
+determined upon, is to make him less wise than a human architect, who
+would be charged with great folly to attempt building even a house without
+a plan. And to suppose that plan not to extend to every event, is to rob
+God of his infinite attributes.
+
+In the third place, this theory falls in with the common interpretation of
+Scripture, which refers the whole system of suffering, decay, and death in
+this world to man's apostasy. And although the general reception of any
+exegesis of Scripture does not prove it to be correct, it is certainly
+gratifying when a thorough examination proves the obvious sense of a
+passage to be the true one. For to disturb the popular interpretation is,
+with many, equivalent to a denial of Scripture.
+
+In the fourth place, this theory shows us the infinite skill and
+benevolence of Jehovah in educing good from evil.
+
+The free agency of man was an object in the highest degree desirable. Yet
+such a character made him liable to fall; and God knew that he would fall.
+To human sagacity that act would seem to seal up his fate forever. But
+infinite wisdom saw that the case was not hopeless. It placed him in a
+state of temporal suffering and temporal death, that he might still have a
+chance of escaping eternal suffering and eternal death. The discipline of
+such a world was eminently adapted to restore his lost purity, and death
+was probably the only means by which a fallen being could pass to a higher
+state of existence. That discipline, indeed, if rightly improved, would
+probably fit him for a higher degree of holiness and happiness than if he
+had never sinned; so as to make true the paradoxical sentiment of the
+poet,--
+
+  "Death gives us more than was in Eden lost."
+
+Misimproved, this discipline would result in an infinite loss, far greater
+than if man never passed through it. But this is all the fault of man;
+while all the benefit of a state of probation is the result of God's
+infinite wisdom and benevolence.
+
+In the fifth place, this theory relieves us from the absurdity of
+supposing that God was compelled to alter the plan of creation after man's
+apostasy.
+
+The common theory does convey an idea not much different from this. It
+makes the impression that God was disappointed when man sinned, and being
+thereby thwarted in his original purpose, he did the best he could by
+changing his plan, just as men do when some unexpected occurrence
+interferes with their short-sighted contrivances. Now, such an
+anthropomorphic view of God is inexcusable in the nineteenth century. It
+was necessary to use such representations in the early ages of the world,
+when pure spiritual ideas were unknown; and hence the Bible describes God
+as repenting and grieved that he had made man. But with the light of the
+New Testament and of modern science, we ought to be able to enucleate the
+true spiritual idea from such descriptions. The theory under consideration
+does not reduce God to any after-thought expedients, but makes provision
+for every occurrence in his original plan; and, of course, shows that
+every event takes place as he would have it, when viewed in its relations
+to the great system of the universe.
+
+In the sixth place, this theory sheds some light upon the important
+question, why God permitted the introduction of death into the world.
+
+It is difficult for some persons to conceive why God, when he foresaw
+Adam's apostasy, did not change his plan of creation, and exclude so
+terrible an evil as death. But according to this theory, he permitted it,
+because it was a necessary part of a great system of restoration, by which
+the human race might, if not recreant to their true interests, be restored
+to more than their primeval blessedness. It was not introduced as a mere
+punishment, but as a necessary means of raising a fallen being into a
+higher state of life and blessedness; or, if he perversely spurned the
+offered boon, of sinking him down to the deeper wretchedness which is the
+just consequence of unrepented sin, without even the sympathy of any part
+of the created universe.
+
+Finally. This subject throws some light upon that strange mixture of good
+and evil, which exists in the present world. We have seen, indeed, that
+benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements of nature; and
+we are called upon continually to admire the adaptation of external nature
+to the human constitution. A large portion of our sufferings here may
+also be imputed to our own sins, or the sins of others; and these we
+cannot charge upon God. But, after all, it seems difficult to conceive how
+even a sinless man could escape a large amount of suffering here; enough,
+indeed, to make him often sigh for deliverance and for a better state. How
+many sources of sufferings there are in unhealthy climates, mechanical
+violence, and chemical agents; in a sterile soil, in the excessive heats
+of the tropical regions, and extreme cold of high latitudes; in the
+encroachments and ferocity of the inferior animals; in poisons, mineral,
+vegetable, and animal; in food unfitted to the digestive and assimilating
+organs; in the damps and miasms of night; and in the frequent necessity
+for over-exertion of body and mind! And then, how many hinderances to the
+exercise of the mental powers, in all the causes that have been mentioned!
+and how does the soul feel that she is imprisoned in flesh and blood, and
+her energies cramped, and her vision clouded, by a gross corporeal medium!
+And thus it is, to a great extent, with all nature, especially animal
+nature; and I cannot but believe, as already intimated, that Paul had
+these very things in mind when he said, _The whole creation groaneth and
+travaileth together in pain until now, and waiteth for the manifestation
+of the sons of God_; that is, for emancipation from its present depressed
+and fettered condition. In short, while there is so much in this world to
+call forth our admiration and gratitude to God, there is enough to make us
+feel, also, that it is a fallen condition. It is not such a world as
+infinite benevolence would provide for perfectly holy beings, whom he
+desired to make perfectly happy, but rather such a world as is adapted for
+a condition of trial and preparation for a higher state, when both mind
+and body would be delivered from the fetters that now cramp their
+exercise.
+
+Now, the theory which I advocate asserts that this peculiar condition of
+the world resulted from the divine determination, upon a prospective view
+of man's transgression. It may, therefore, be properly regarded as
+occasioned by man's transgression, but not in the common meaning attached
+to that phrase, which is, that, before man's apostasy, the constitution of
+the world was different from what it now is, and death did not exist. This
+theory supposes God to have devised the present peculiar mixed condition
+of the world, as to good and evil, in eternity, in order to give man an
+opportunity to rescue himself from the penalty and misery of sin; and in
+order to introduce those who should do this into a higher state of
+existence. The plan, therefore, is founded in infinite wisdom and
+benevolence, while it brings out man's guilt, and the evil of sin, in
+appalling distinctness and magnitude.
+
+But, after all, how little idea would a man have of the entire plot of a
+play, who had heard only a part of the first act! How little could he
+judge of the bearing of the first scene upon the final development! Yet we
+are now only in the first act of the great drama of human existence. Death
+shows us that we shall ere long be introduced into a second act, and
+affords a presumption that other acts--it may be in an endless
+series--will succeed, before the whole plot shall have passed before us;
+and not till then can we be certain what are all the objects to be
+accomplished by the introduction of sin and death into our world. And if
+thus early we can catch glimpses of great benefit to result from these
+evils, what full conviction, that infinite benevolence has planned and
+consummated the whole, will be forced upon the mind, when the vast
+panorama of God's dispensations shall lie spread out in the memory! For
+that time shall Faith wait, in confident hope that all her doubts and
+darkness shall be converted into noonday brightness.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE IV.
+
+THE NOACHIAN DELUGE COMPARED WITH THE GEOLOGICAL DELUGES.
+
+
+The history of opinions respecting the deluge of Noah is one of the most
+curious and instructive in the annals of man. In this field, Christians
+have often broken lances with infidels, and also with one another. The
+unbeliever has confidently maintained that the Bible history of the deluge
+is at war with the facts and reasonings of science. Equally confident has
+been the believer that nature bears strong testimony to its occurrence.
+Some Christians, however, have asserted, with the infidel, that no trace
+remains on the face of nature of such an event. And as this is a subject
+which men are apt to suppose themselves masters of, when they have only
+skimmed the surface, the contest between these different parties has been
+severe and protracted. Almost every geological change which the earth has
+undergone, from its centre to its circumference, has, at one time or
+another, been ascribed to this deluge. And so plain has this seemed to
+those who had only a partial view of the facts, that those who doubted it
+were often denounced as enemies of revelation. But most of these opinions
+and this dogmatism are now abandoned, because both Nature and Scripture
+are better understood. And among well-informed geologists, at least, the
+opinion is almost universal, that there are no facts in their science
+which can be clearly referred to the Noachian deluge; that is, no traces
+in nature of that event; and on the other hand, that there is nothing in
+the Mosaic account of the deluge which would necessarily lead is to expect
+permanent marks of such a catastrophe within or upon the earth.
+
+If such be the case, you will doubtless inquire, what connection there is
+between geology and the revealed history of the deluge, and why the
+subject should be introduced into this series of lectures. I reply, that
+so recently have correct views been entertained on this subject, and so
+little understood are they; that they need to be defined and explained.
+And if the distribution of animals and plants on the globe come within the
+province of geology, then this science has a very important point of
+connection with the history of the deluge, as will appear in the sequel.
+And finally, the history of opinions on this subject is full of
+instruction to those who undertake to reason on the connection between
+science and religion. Obviously, then, my first object should be to give a
+brief history of the views that have been entertained respecting the
+deluge of Noah, so far as they have been supposed to have any connection
+with geology.
+
+It is well known, that in the written and unwritten traditions of almost
+every nation and tribe under heaven, the story of a general deluge has
+been prominent; and probably, in all these cases, some attempt has been
+made to explain the manner in which the waters were brought over the land.
+But most of these reasonings, especially in ancient times, are too absurd
+to deserve even to be recited. Indeed, it is not till the beginning of the
+sixteenth century, that we find any discussions on the subject worthy of
+notice. At that time, some excavations at Verona, in Italy, brought to
+light many fossil shells, and awakened a question as to their origin. Some
+maintained that they were only _simulacra_, or resemblances to animals,
+but never had a real existence. They were supposed to have been produced
+by a certain "_materia pinguis_," or "fatty matter," existing in the
+earth. Others maintained that they were deposited by the deluge of Noah.
+Such, indeed, was the general opinion; but Fracastoro and a few others
+maintained that they were once real animals, and could not have been
+brought into their present condition by the last deluge. For more than
+three hundred years have these questions been more or less discussed; and
+though decided many years ago by all geologists, not a few intelligent men
+still maintain, that petrified shells are mere abortive resemblances of
+real beings, or that they were deposited by the deluge.
+
+The advocates of the diluvial origin of petrifactions soon found
+themselves hard pressed with the question, how these relics could be
+scattered through strata many thousand feet thick, by one transient flood.
+They, therefore, came to the conclusion, in the words of Woodward, a
+distinguished cosmogonist of the eighteenth century, that the "whole
+terrestrial globe was taken to pieces and dissolved at the flood, and the
+strata settled down from this promiscuous mass, as any earthy sediment
+from a fluid." During that century, many works appeared upon cosmogony,
+defending similar views, by such men as Burnet, Scheuchzer, and Catcott.
+Some of these works exhibited no little ability, mixed, however, with
+hypotheses so extravagant that they have ever since been the butt of
+ridicule. The very title of Burnet's work cannot but provoke a smile. It
+is called "The Sacred Theory of the Earth, containing an Account of the
+Original of the Earth, and of all the general Changes it bath already
+undergone, or is to undergo, till the Consummation of all Things." He
+maintained that the primitive earth was only "an orbicular crust, smooth,
+regular, and uniform, without mountains and without a sea." This crust
+rested on the surface of a watery abyss, and, being heated by the sun,
+became chinky; and in consequence of the rarefaction of the included
+vapors, it burst asunder, and fell down into the waters, and so was
+comminuted and dissolved, while the inhabitants perished. Catcott's work
+was confined exclusively to the deluge, and exhibited a good deal of
+ability. He endeavored to show, that this dissolution of the earth by the
+deluge was taught in the Scriptures, and his reasoning on that point is a
+fine example of the state of biblical interpretation in his day. "As there
+are other texts," says he, "which mention the dissolution of the earth, it
+may be proper to cite them. Ps. xlvi. 2. _God is our refuge; therefore
+will we not fear though the earth be removed_, [be changed, be quite
+altered, as it was at the deluge.] _God uttered his voice, the earth
+melted_, [flowed, dissolved to atoms.] Again, Job xxviii. 9. _He sent his
+hand_ [the expansion, his instrument, or the agent by which he worked]
+_against the rock, he overturned the mountains by the roots, he caused the
+rivers to burst forth from between the rocks_, [or broke open the
+fountains of the abyss.] _His eye_ [symbolically placed for light] _saw_
+[passed through, or between] _every minute thing_, [every-atom, and so
+dissolved the whole.] _He_ [at last] _bound up the waters from weeping_,
+[i. e. from pressing through the shell of the earth, as tears make their
+way through the orb of the eye; or, as it is related, (Gen. viii. 2,) _He
+stopped the fountains of the abyss and the windows of heaven_,] _and
+brought out the light from its hiding-place_, [i. e., from the inward
+parts of the earth, from between every atom where it lay hid, and kept
+each atom separate from the other, and so the whole in a state of
+dissolution; his bringing out those parts of the light which caused the
+dissolution would of course permit the agents to act in their usual way,
+and so reform the earth."]--_Treatise on the Deluge_, p. 43, (London,
+1761.)
+
+We can hardly believe at the present day, that a logical and scientific
+mind, like that of Catcott, could satisfy itself, by such a dreamy
+exegesis, that the Scriptures teach the earth's dissolution at the deluge;
+especially when they so distinctly describe the waters of the deluge, as
+first rising over the land, and then sinking back to their original
+position. Still more strange is it how Burnet could have thought it
+consistent with Scripture to suppose the earth, before the flood, "to have
+been covered with an orbicular crust, smooth, regular, and uniform,
+without mountains and without a sea," when the Bible so distinctly states,
+as the work of the third day, that _the waters under the heavens were
+gathered together unto one place, and the dry land appeared_; and that
+_God called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters
+he called seas_; and further, that, by the deluge, _all the high hills
+were covered_. Yet these men doubtless supposed that, by the views which
+they advocated, they were defending the Holy Scriptures. Nay, their views
+were long regarded as exclusively the orthodox views, and opposition to
+them was considered, for one or two centuries, as virtual opposition to
+the Bible. Truly, this, in biblical interpretation, was straining at a
+gnat and swallowing a camel.
+
+It is quite convenient to explain such anomalies in human belief, by
+referring them to the spirit of the age, or to the want of the light of
+modern science. But in the present case, we cannot thus easily dispose of
+the difficulty. For in our own day, we have seen these same absurdities of
+opinion maintained by a really scientific man, selected to write one of
+the Bridgewater Treatises, as one of the most learned men in Great
+Britain. I refer to Rev. William Kirby, evidently a thorough entomologist
+and a sincere Christian. But he adopts the opinion, not only that there
+exists a subterranean abyss of waters, but a subterranean metropolis of
+animals, where the huge leviathians, the gigantic saurians, dug out of the
+rocks by the geologist, still survive; and this he endeavors to prove from
+the Bible. For this purpose he quotes the passage in Psalms, _though thou
+hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the
+shadow of death_. His exposition of this text is much in the style of that
+already given from Catcott. Following that writer and Hutchinson, he
+endeavors to show, by a still more fanciful interpretation, that the
+phrase "windows of heaven," in Genesis, means cracks and volcanic rents in
+the earth, through which air and water rushed inwardly and outwardly with
+such violence as to tear the crust to pieces. This was the effect of the
+increasing waters of the deluge; the bringing together of these comminuted
+particles, so as to form the present strata, was the work of the subsiding
+waters.
+
+These views will seem very strange to those not familiar with the history
+of geology. But we shall find their origin, if a few facts be stated
+respecting what has been called the physico-theological school of writers,
+that originated with one Hutchinson, in the beginning of the eighteenth
+century. He was a disciple of the distinguished cosmogonist Woodward. But
+he attacked the views of his master, as well as those of Sir Isaac Newton
+on gravitation, in a work which he published in twelve octavo volumes,
+entitled "_Moses's Principia_." He there maintains that the Scriptures,
+when rightly understood, contain a complete system of natural philosophy.
+
+This dogma, advocated by Hutchinson with the most intolerant spirit,
+constitutes the leading peculiarity of the physico-theological school, and
+has been very widely adopted, and has exerted a most pernicious influence
+both upon religion and upon science. It is painful, therefore, to find so
+learned and excellent a man as Mr. Kirby so deeply imbued with it, so
+long after its absurdity has been shown again and again. It is devoutly to
+be wished that the cabalistic dreams of Hutchinsonianism are not to be
+extensively revived in our day. And, indeed, such is the advanced state of
+hermeneutical knowledge, that we have little reason to fear it.
+Nevertheless, its leaven is yet by no means thoroughly purged out from the
+literary community.
+
+It was one of the settled principles of the physico-theological school,
+that, since the creation, the earth has undergone no important change
+beneath the surface, except at the deluge, because it was supposed that
+the Bible mentions no other event that could produce any important change.
+Hence all marks of changes in the rocks since their original creation must
+be referred to the deluge. And especially when it was found that most of
+the petrifactions in the rocks were of marine origin, not only were they
+supposed to be the result of the deluge, but a most conclusive proof of
+that event. And this opinion is even yet very widely received by the
+Christian world. The argument in its favor, when stated in a popular
+manner to those not familiar with geology, is indeed quite imposing. For
+if the land, almost every where, even to the tops of some of its highest
+mountains, abounds in sea shells, this is just what we should expect, if
+the sea flowed over those mountains at the deluge. But the moment we come
+to examine the details respecting marine petrifactions, we see that
+nothing can be more absurd than to suppose them the result of a transient
+deluge. Yet this view is maintained in nearly all the popular commentaries
+of the present day upon Genesis, and in many respectable periodicals. It
+is taught, therefore, in the Sabbath school and in the family; and the
+child, as he grows up, is shocked to find the geologist assailing it; and
+when he finds it false, he is in danger of becoming jealous of the other
+evidences of Christianity which he has been taught.
+
+Another branch of the modern physico-theological school, embracing men who
+have read too much on the subject of geology to be able to believe in the
+dissolution of the globe by the deluge, have adopted a more plausible
+hypothesis. They suppose that between the creation and the deluge, or in
+sixteen hundred and fifty-six years, according to the received chronology,
+all the present fossiliferous rocks of our continents, more than six miles
+in thickness, were deposited at the bottom of the ocean. By that event,
+they were raised from beneath the waters, and the continents previously
+existing sunk down and disappeared; so that the land now inhabited was
+formerly the ocean's bed. To prove that such a change took place at the
+deluge, Granville Penn and Fairholme quote the declaration of God, in
+Genesis, respecting the flood--_I will destroy them_, (i. e., men,) _and
+the earth, or with the earth_; also the statement of Peter--_The world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished_. The terms _earth_
+and _world_ may mean either the solid globe, or the animals and plants
+upon it. If in these passages they have the latter meaning, then they
+simply teach that the deluge destroyed the natural life of organic beings.
+If they have the former meaning, then the inquiry arises, What are we to
+understand by the destruction here described? It may mean annihilation, or
+it may imply ruin in some respects. That annihilation did not result from
+the deluge is evident from the case of men, who suffered only temporal
+death, and even this was not universal; and we know, also, that the matter
+of the earth did not perish. We must resort, therefore, to the sacred
+history to learn how far the destruction extended That history seems very
+plain. There was a rain of forty days, and the fountains of the great deep
+were broken up; that is, as Professor Stuart happily expresses it, "The
+ocean overflowed while the rain descended in vast quantities." The waters
+gradually rose over the dry land, and after a hundred and fifty days,
+began to subside, and at the end of a year and a few days they were gone.
+Such an overflowing could not take place without producing the almost
+entire destruction of organic life, and making extensive havoc with the
+soil, especially as a wind assisted in driving these waters from the land.
+But there is nothing in the narrative that would lead us to suppose either
+a comminution or dissolution of the earth, or the elevation of the ocean's
+bed. The same land which was overflowed is described as again emerging.
+Indeed, a part of the rivers proceeding out of the garden of Eden are the
+same as those now existing on the globe. We must then admit that our
+present continents--certainly the Asiatic,--are the same as the
+antediluvian, or deny that the account of Eden, in Genesis, is a part of
+the Bible. The latter alternative is preferred by Penn and Fairholme.
+Surely such men ought to be cautious how they censure geologists for
+modifying the meaning of some verses in Genesis, when they thus, without
+any evidence of its spuriousness, unceremoniously erase so important a
+passage.
+
+I might add to all this that the facts of geology forbid the idea that our
+present continents formed the bed of the ocean at so recent a date as that
+of Noah's deluge, and that the supposition that all organic remains were
+deposited during the two thousand years between the six days' work and the
+deluge is totally irreconcilable with all correct philosophy. Why, during
+the time when the fossiliferous rocks were in a course of formation, four
+or five entirely distinct races of animals and plants successively
+occupied the land and the waters, and passed away in regular order; and
+these races were so unlike, that they could not have been contemporaneous.
+Who will maintain that all this took place in the short period of two
+thousand years? I am sure that no geologist will.
+
+But modern geologists have, until recently, supposed that the traces of
+Noah's deluge might still be seen upon the earth's surface. I say its
+surface; for none of them imagined those effects could have reached to a
+great depth. Over a large part of the northern hemisphere they found
+extensive accumulations of gravel and bowlders, which had been removed
+often a great distance from their parent rocks, while the ledges beneath
+were smoothed and striated, obviously by the grating over them of these
+piles of detritus. How very natural to refer these effects to the agency
+of currents of water; just such currents as might have resulted from a
+universal deluge. But the inference was a hasty one For when geologists
+came to study the phenomena of drift or diluvium, as these accumulations
+of travelled matter are called, they found that currents of water alone
+would not explain them all. Some other agency must have been concerned;
+and the general opinion now is, that drift has been the result of the
+joint action of water and ice; and nearly all geologists suppose that this
+action took place before man's existence on the globe. Some suppose it to
+have been the result of oceanic currents, while yet our continents were
+beneath the waters; others think that the northern ocean may have been
+thrown southerly over the dry land by the elevation of its bed; and others
+maintain that vast masses of ice may formerly have encircled high
+latitudes, whose glaciers, melting away, may have driven towards the
+equator the great quantities of drift and bowlders which have been
+carried in that direction. In short, it is now found that this is one of
+the most difficult problems in geology; and while most geologists agree
+that both ice and water have been concerned in producing the phenomena,
+the time and manner of their action are not yet very satisfactorily
+determined. They may have acted at different periods and in divers
+manners; but all the phenomena could not have been the result of one
+transient deluge.
+
+From the facts that have now been detailed, it appears that on no subject
+of science connected with religion have men been more positive and
+dogmatical than in respect to Noah's deluge, and that on no subject has
+there been greater change of opinion. From a belief in the complete
+destruction and dissolution of the globe by that event, those best
+qualified to judge now doubt whether it be possible to identify one mark
+of that event in nature.
+
+I shall now proceed to state, in a more definite form, the views of this
+subject entertained by the most enlightened judges of its merits at the
+present day.
+
+_In the first place, most of the cases of accumulations of drift, the
+dispersion of bowlders, and the polish and striae upon rocks in place,
+occurred previous to man's existence upon the globe, and cannot have been
+the result of Noah's deluge._
+
+From the arguments for sustaining this position I shall select only a
+part.
+
+The first is, that the organic remains found in the alluvium considerably
+above the drift, which always lies below the alluvium, are many of them of
+extinct species. Whether the genuine drift--a heterogeneous mass of
+fragments, driven pellmell together--contains any organic relics, is to me
+very doubtful. But if the stratified deposits subsequent to the drift
+present us with beings no longer alive on the globe, much more would the
+drift. Now, the presumption is, that extinct animals and plants belong to
+a creation anterior to man, especially if they exhibit a tropical
+character,--as those do which are usually assigned to the drift,--since we
+have no evidence of a tropical climate in northern latitudes till we get
+back to a period far anterior to man.
+
+Secondly. No remains of man or his works have been found in drift, nor
+indeed till we rise almost to the top of the alluvial deposit. Even
+ancient Armenia has now been examined geologically, with sufficient care
+to make it almost certain that human remains do not exist there in drift,
+if drift is found there at all; of which there may be a question.
+
+Thirdly. The agency producing drift must have operated during a vastly
+longer period than the three hundred and eighty days of Noah's deluge. It
+would be easy to show to a geologist that the extensive erosions which are
+referrible to that agency, and the huge masses of detritus which have been
+the result, must have demanded centuries, and even decades of years. Nor
+will any supposed increase of power in the agency explain the results,
+without admitting a long period for their action.
+
+Fourthly. Water appears to have been the principal agent in the Noachian
+deluge; but in the production of drift, ice was at least equally
+concerned.
+
+Finally. The phenomena of deltas, terraces, and ancient sea-beaches, make
+the period of the drift immensely more remote than the deluge of Noah,
+since these phenomena are all posterior to the drift period. I need not go
+into the details of this argument here, since I have drawn them out in my
+second lecture. But of all the arguments ever adduced to prove the great
+length of time occupied in geological changes, this--which, so far as the
+terraces are concerned, has never before, I believe, been adduced--seems
+to me the most convincing to those who carefully examine the subject.
+
+We may be sure, then, that the commencement of the drift period, and the
+deluge of Noah, cannot have been synchronous. But the drift agency,
+connected, as nearly all geologists seem now to be ready to admit, with
+the vertical movements of continents, may have operated, and undoubtedly
+has, at various periods, and very possibly, in some parts of the world,
+long posterior to the period usually called the drift period. I agree,
+therefore, in opinion with one of the most eminent and judicious of the
+European geologists, Professor Sedgwick of Cambridge, when he says, "If we
+have the clearest proofs of great oscillations of sea level, and have a
+right to make use of them, while we seek to explain some of the latest
+phenomena of geology, may we not reasonably suppose, that, within the
+period of human history, similar oscillations have taken place in those
+parts of Asia which were the cradle of our race, and may have produced
+that destruction among the early families of men, which is described in
+our sacred books, and of which so many traditions have been brought down
+to us through all the streams of authentic history?"--_Geology of the Lake
+District_, p. 14.
+
+_Secondly. Admitting the deluge to have been universal over the globe, it
+could not have deposited the fossil remains in the rocks._
+
+This position is too plain to the practical geologist to need a formal
+argument to sustain it. But there are many intelligent men, who do not see
+clearly why the remains of marine animals and plants may not be referred
+to the deluge. And if they could be, then all the demands of the geologist
+for long periods anterior to man are without foundation. But they cannot
+be, for the following reasons:--
+
+First. On this supposition the organic remains ought to be confusedly
+mingled together, since they must have been brought over the land
+promiscuously by the waters of the deluge; but they are in fact arranged
+in as much order as the specimens of a well-regulated cabinet. The
+different rocks that lie above one another do, indeed, contain some
+species that are common; but the most are peculiar. It is impossible to
+explain such a fact if they were deposited by the deluge.
+
+Secondly. On this theory, at least, a part of the organic remains ought to
+correspond with living animals and plants, since the deluge took place so
+long after the six days of creation. But with the exception of a few
+species near the top of the series, the fossil species are wholly unlike
+those now alive.
+
+Thirdly. How, by this theory, can we explain the fact, that there are
+found in the rocks at least five distinct races of animals and plants, so
+unlike that they could not have been contemporaries? or for the fact, that
+most of them are of a highly tropical character? or for the fact, that as
+we rise higher in the rocks, there is a nearer and nearer approach to
+existing species?
+
+Fourthly. This theory requires us to admit, that in three hundred and
+eighty days the waters of the deluge deposited rocks at least six miles in
+thickness, over half or two thirds of our existing continents; and these
+rocks made up of hundreds of thick beds, exceedingly unlike one another in
+composition and organic contents. Will any reasonable man believe this
+possible without a miracle?
+
+But I need not multiply arguments on this point. It is a theory which no
+reasonable man can long maintain after studying the subject. And if it be
+indeed true, that neither in the drift, nor in the fossiliferous rocks,
+can we discover any traces of the deluge, then we shall find them nowhere
+on the globe. But
+
+_Thirdly. There are no facts in geology that afford any presumption
+against the occurrence of the Noachian deluge, but rather the contrary._
+
+The geologist says only, that if any traces of it exist, he cannot
+distinguish them from the effects of other analogous agencies that have
+operated on the globe at various periods. Some parts of the globe do not
+exhibit marks of any powerful aqueous action, such as high northern and
+southern latitudes do exhibit. But the sacred record, in its account of
+the access and subsidence of diluvial waters, does not require us to
+suppose any great degree of violence in their action on the surface; and
+although currents somewhat powerful must have been the result, yet they
+may not have existed every where, nor have always left traces of their
+passage where they did exist. On the other hand, the geologist will admit,
+as we have already seen, that in the elevation and subsidence of mountains
+and continents, and in volcanic agency generally, of which geology
+contains so many examples, we have an adequate cause for extensive, if not
+universal, deluges; nor can he say how recently this cause may have
+operated beneath certain oceans, sufficiently to produce the deluge of the
+Scriptures. So that, in fact, we have in geology a presumption in favor
+of, rather than against, such a deluge. Nay, some, who have examined
+Armenia, have thought they found there a deposit which could be referred
+to the deluge of Noah; but I have no access to any facts on this point.
+
+_Fourthly. There are reasons, both in natural history and in the
+Scriptures, for supposing that the deluge may not have been universal over
+the globe, but only over the region inhabited by man._
+
+This is a position of no small importance, and will, therefore, require
+our careful examination. And in the beginning, I wish to premise, that I
+assume the deluge to have been brought about by natural operations, or in
+conformity with the laws of nature. I feel no reluctance in admitting it
+to have been strictly miraculous, provided the narrative will allow of
+such a conclusion. But if it was miraculous, then we must give up the idea
+of philosophizing about it, and believe the facts simply on the divine
+testimony. For how can we philosophize upon an event that is brought about
+by the direct efficiency of God, and without reference to existing natural
+laws, and, it may be, in contravention of them, unless, indeed, the
+history contains such contradictions as even infinite power and wisdom
+could not make harmonious? Some writers endeavor to show the conformity of
+the sacred history of the deluge to established natural laws, until they
+meet with some objection too strong to be answered, when they turn round
+and declare the whole occurrence to have been miraculous. This I conceive
+to be absurd, and I shall accordingly proceed on the supposition that the
+whole event was a penal infliction, brought about by natural laws; or, at
+least, if there was any thing miraculous, it consisted in giving greater
+power to natural operations, without interfering with the regular sequence
+of cause and effect. And does not the narrative leave the impression on
+the mind of the reader, that it was brought about by natural means? The
+sacred writer distinctly assigns two natural causes of the increase of the
+waters, viz., a rain of forty days and the breaking up of the fountains of
+the great deep, which doubtless means an overflow of the ocean; and, to
+hasten the subsidence of the waters, it is said that God made a wind to
+blow over the surface. It is no proof of miraculous agency, that the whole
+work is referred to the immediate power of God, for it is well known that
+this is the usual mode in which the sacred writers speak of natural
+events.
+
+The first difficulty in the way of supposing the flood to have been
+literally universal, is the great quantity of water that would have been
+requisite.
+
+The amount necessary to cover the earth to the tops of the highest
+mountains, or about five miles above the present oceans, would be eight
+times greater than that existing on the globe at this time. From whence
+could this immense volume of water have been derived? A great deal of
+ingenuity has been devoted to give an answer to this inquiry. By some it
+has been supposed, that most of the earth's interior is occupied by water,
+and the theorist had only to devise means for forcing it to the surface.
+One does this by the forcible compression of the crust; another, by the
+expansive power of internal heat; another, by the generation of various
+gases through galvanic action. Others have maintained that the
+antediluvian continents were sunk beneath the ocean at that time, though
+such find it hard to tell us why there was a rain of forty days upon land
+that was ready to subside beneath the ocean. Others have resort to a
+comet's impinging against the earth, and throwing the waters of the ocean
+over the land. But they were not aware that comets are mere vapor. Others
+suppose (and surely theirs is the most plausible theory) that the
+elevation of the bed of some ocean, by volcanic agency, threw its waters
+over the adjoining continents, and the mighty wave thus produced would not
+stop till it had swept over all other continents and islands. But in this
+case, it is evident that the continent first overflowed must have been
+left dry before the wave had reached other continents, so that, in fact,
+all parts of the earth would not have been enveloped simultaneously; and
+besides, how unlike such a violent rushing of the waters over the land is
+the scriptural account! In short, so unsatisfactory have been most of the
+theories to account for the water requisite to produce a universal deluge,
+that most writers have resorted, in the end, to miraculous agency to
+obtain it. And that, in fact, is the most satisfactory mode of getting
+over this difficulty, if the Scriptures unequivocally teach the
+universality of the deluge.
+
+A second objection to such a universality is, the difficulty of providing
+for the animals in the ark.
+
+Calculations have indeed been made, which seemed to show that the ark was
+capacious enough to hold the pairs and septuples of all the species. But,
+unfortunately, the number of species assumed to exist by the calculators
+was vastly below the truth. It amounted only to three or four hundred;
+whereas the actual number already described by zoologists is not less than
+one hundred and fifty thousand; and the probable number existing on the
+globe is not less than half a million. And for the greater part of these
+must provision have been made, since most of them inhabit either the air
+or the dry land. A thousand species of mammalia, six thousand species of
+birds, two thousand species of reptiles, and one hundred and twenty
+thousand species of insects are already described, and must have been
+provided with space and food. Will any one believe this possible, in a
+vessel not more than four hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet
+broad, and forty-five feet high?
+
+The third and most important objection to this universality of the deluge
+is derived from the facts brought to light by modern science, respecting
+the distribution of animals and plants on the globe.
+
+It was the opinion of Linnaeus that all animals and plants had their
+commencement in a particular region of the earth, from whence they
+migrated into all other parts of its surface. And had no new facts come to
+light since his day, to change the aspect of the subject, one would
+hesitate long before adopting views opposed to so distinguished a
+naturalist. But new facts, in vast numbers, have been multiplying ever
+since his day, and zoologists and botanists now almost universally adopt
+the opinion, early promulgated by Dr. Prichard, in his admirable work on
+the Physical History of Man, that there must have been several centres of
+creation, from which the animals and plants radiated only so far as the
+climate and food were adapted to their natures, except a few species
+endowed with the power of accommodating themselves to all climates.
+Certain it is that they are now thus distributed; and it is inevitable
+death for most species to venture beyond certain limits. If tropical
+animals and plants, for instance, were to migrate to the temperate zones,
+and especially to the frigid regions, they could not long survive; and
+almost equally fatal would it be for the animals and plants of high
+latitudes to take up their abode near the equator. But even within the
+tropics we find distinct species of animals and plants on opposite
+continents. Indeed, naturalists reckon a large number of botanical and
+zoological districts, or provinces, as they are called, within which they
+find certain peculiar groups of animals and plants, with natures exactly
+adapted to that particular district, but incapable of enduring the
+different climate of adjoining districts. They differ considerably as to
+the number of these districts, because the plants and animals of our globe
+are by no means yet fully described, and because the districts assigned to
+the different classes do not fully coincide; but as to the existence of
+such a distribution, they are of one opinion. The most reliable divisions
+of this kind make twenty-five botanical provinces, and five kingdoms and
+fourteen provinces among animals.[10]
+
+The fact that man, and some of the domesticated animals, and a few plants,
+are found in almost every climate, has, until recently, blinded the eyes
+of naturalists to the manner in which the great mass of animals and plants
+are confined within certain prescribed limits. But so soon as the general
+fact is stated, we immediately recur to abundant proof of its truth. We
+should be disposed to question the veracity of that traveller who should
+visit a new and remote country, and describe its vegetable and animal
+productions as essentially the same as in our own; and all because the
+analogy of other portions of the globe leads us to expect that a new
+geographical province shall present us with a peculiar _fauna_ and
+_flora_; that is, with peculiar groups of animals and plants.
+
+It is obvious that the facts which have been stated have an important
+bearing upon the mode in which the animals were brought together to enter
+the ark, and were afterwards distributed through the earth, if the deluge
+were universal. Certain it is that, without miraculous preservation, they
+could never have been brought together, nor again dispersed. We have
+reason to suppose that the ark was constructed in some part of the
+temperate zone. Now, suppose the animals of the torrid zone at the present
+day to attempt, by natural means, to reach the temperate zone; who does
+not know that nearly all of them must perish? Nor is it any easier to
+conceive how, after the flood, they could have migrated into all
+continents, and islands, and climates, and how each species should have
+found the place exactly fitted to its constitution, as we now find them.
+Indeed, the idea of their collection and dispersion in a natural way is
+altogether too absurd to be believed. And we must, therefore, resort to a
+miracle, or suppose a new creation to have taken place after the deluge,
+or admit the flood to have been limited. If the latter supposition be not
+inconsistent with the Bible, it completely relieves the difficulty. If we
+suppose the limited region of Central Asia, where man existed, to have
+been deluged, and pairs and septuples of the most common animals in that
+region only to have been kept alive in the ark, the entire account will
+harmonize with natural history. The question, then, whether such a view is
+consistent with the Bible, becomes of great interest; and to this point I
+beg leave next to direct your attention.
+
+If we understand the scriptural account to denote a literal universality,
+it is certainly very natural to inquire why such universality was
+necessary, since the deluge is represented as a penal infliction upon man.
+For it seems difficult to believe as some writers have attempted to prove,
+that the human family had become very numerous, or had extended far beyond
+the spot where they were first planted, in less than two thousand years;
+especially when we recollect how few were the children of patriarchs whose
+age amounted to many centuries, and how very probable it is that the
+extreme wickedness of most of the antediluvians tended to their extinction
+rather than their multiplication. Why, then, for the sake of destroying
+man, occupying probably only a limited portion of one continent, was it
+necessary to depopulate all other continents and islands, inhabited only
+by irresponsible animals, who had no connection with man? If the
+Scriptures unequivocally declare that such was the fact, we are bound to
+believe it on divine testimony. But if their language admits of a
+different interpretation, it seems reasonable to adopt it.
+
+And here I am willing to acknowledge that the language of the Bible on
+this subject seems, at first view, to teach the universality of the flood,
+unequivocally. _The waters_, say they, _prevailed exceedingly upon the
+earth, and all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were
+covered._ Again: _Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the
+earth to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under
+heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die._ If such language
+be interpreted by the same rules which we should apply to a modern
+composition, it could in no way be understood to teach a limited deluge or
+a partial destruction. But in respect to this ancient record, two
+considerations are to be carefully weighed.
+
+In the first place, the terms employed are not to be judged of by the
+state of knowledge in the nineteenth century, but by its state among the
+people to whom this revelation was first addressed. When the earth was
+spoken of to that people, (the ancient Jews,) they could not have
+understood it to embrace a much wider region than that inhabited by man,
+because they could not have had any idea of what lay beyond those limits.
+And so of the phrase _heaven_; it must have been coextensive with the
+inhabited earth only. And when it was said that all animals would die by
+the deluge, they could not have supposed the declaration to embrace
+creatures far beyond the dwellings of men, because they knew nothing of
+such regions. Why, then, may we not attach the same limited meaning to
+these declarations? Why should we suppose that the Holy Spirit used terms,
+adapted, indeed, to the astronomy and geography of the nineteenth century,
+but conveying only a false idea to those to whom they were addressed?
+
+In the second place, in all ages and nations, and especially among
+ancient ones, "universal terms are often used to signify only a very large
+amount in number or quantity."--Dr. Smith, _Scrip. and Geol._ p. 212, 4th
+ed.--The Hebrew [Hebrew], (_kol_,) the [Greek: pas], and the English
+_all_, are alike employed in this manner, to signify _many_. There are
+some very striking cases of this sort in the Bible. Thus in Genesis it is
+said that _all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn, because
+the famine was sore in all lands_. This certainly could apply only to the
+well-known countries around Egypt; for transportation would have been
+impossible to the remotest parts of the habitable globe. In the account of
+the plagues that came upon Egypt, it is said that _the hail smote every
+herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field_; but, in a few days
+afterwards, it is said of the locusts that _they did eat every herb of the
+land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left_. _This day_,
+said God to the Israelites, while yet in their journeyings, _will I begin
+to put the fear of thee and the dread of thee upon the face of the nations
+under all the heavens_. But it is obvious that only the nations contiguous
+to the Israelites, chiefly the Canaanites, are here meant. In the New
+Testament, it is said that, at the time of the pentecost, there were
+dwelling at Jerusalem _Jews, devout men, out of every nation under
+heaven_. Yet, in the enumeration, which follows this passage, of the
+different places from which those Jews had come, we find only a region
+extending from Italy to Persia, and from Egypt to the Black Sea. It could
+have been a district of only about that size which Paul meant, when he
+said to the Colossians that the _gospel was preached to every creature
+which is under heaven_. In the First Book of Kings, it is said that _all
+the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom_;--a passage
+which requires as much limitation as the others above quoted. A similar
+mode of expression is employed by Christ, when he says of the queen of
+Sheba that she came from _the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the
+wisdom of Solomon_; for her residence, being probably on the Arabian Gulf,
+could not have been more than twelve or fourteen hundred miles from
+Jerusalem. A like figurative mode of speech is employed in the description
+of Peter's vision, in which he saw a great sheet let down to the earth,
+_wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild
+beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air_. Who will suppose,
+since it is wholly unnecessary for the object, which was to convince Peter
+that the Mosaic distinction into clean and unclean beasts was abolished,
+that he here had a vision of all the species of terrestrial vertebral
+animals on the globe?
+
+It would be easy to multiply similar passages. In many of them we should
+find that the phrase _all the earth_ signifies the land of Palestine; in a
+few, the Chaldean empire; and in one, that of Alexander of Macedon.
+
+Now, so similar is the phraseology of the passages just quoted to that
+descriptive of the deluge, so universal are the terms, while we are sure
+that their meaning must be limited, that we are abundantly justified in
+considering the deluge as limited, if other parts of the Bible, or the
+facts of natural history, require such a limitation. Indeed, so obviously
+analogous are the passages quoted to the Mosaic account of the deluge,
+that distinguished writers have regarded the deluge as limited, long
+before geology existed, or natural history had learned the manner in which
+organic life is distributed on the globe; nay, at a period when
+naturalists, with Linnaeus at their head, supposed animals and plants to
+have proceeded from one centre:--an opinion that seemed to sustain the
+notion of the universality of the flood. The inference, then, that it was
+limited, must have been made chiefly on exegetical grounds.
+
+"I cannot see," says Bishop Stillingfleet, more than a century ago, "any
+urgent necessity from the Scripture to assert that the flood did spread
+over all the surface of the earth. That all mankind, those in the ark
+excepted, were destroyed by it, is most certain, according to the
+Scriptures. The flood was universal as to mankind; but from thence follows
+no necessity at all of asserting the universality of it as to the globe of
+the earth, unless it be sufficiently proved that the whole earth was
+peopled before the flood, which I despair of ever seeing
+proved."--_Origines Sacrae_, B. III. chap. 4, p. 337, ed. 1709.
+
+Matthew Poole, well known for his valuable and extensive commentaries on
+the Bible, thus expresses himself: "It is not to be supposed that the
+entire globe of the earth was covered with water. Where was the need of
+overwhelming those regions in which there were no human beings? It would
+be highly unreasonable to suppose that mankind had so increased before the
+deluge as to have penetrated to all the corners of the earth. It is,
+indeed, not probable that they had extended themselves beyond the limits
+of Syria and Mesopotamia. Absurd it would be to affirm that the effects of
+the punishment inflicted upon men alone applied to places in which there
+were no men. If, then, we should entertain the belief that not so much as
+the hundredth part of the globe was overspread with water, still the
+deluge would be universal, because the extirpation took effect upon all
+the part of the globe which was inhabited. If we take this ground, the
+difficulties which some have raised about the deluge fall away as
+inapplicable, and mere cavils; and irreligious persons have no reason left
+them for doubting the truth of the Holy Scriptures."--_Synopsis on Gen._
+vii. 19.
+
+Poole wrote nearly two centuries ago. In more recent times, we find
+authorities equally eminent for learning and candor adopting the same
+views. "Interpreters," says Dathe, "do not agree whether the deluge
+inundated the whole earth, or only those regions then inhabited. I adopt
+the latter opinion. The phrase _all_ does not prove the inundation to have
+been universal. It appears that in many places [Hebrew] (_kol_) is to be
+understood as limited to the thing or place spoken of. Hence all the
+animals said to have been introduced into the ark were only those of the
+region inundated. So, also, only those mountains are to be understood,
+which were surmounted by the waters."--_Pentateuchus a Dathio_, p. 63.
+
+But no modern writer has treated this subject with so much candor and
+ability--and the same may be said of his whole work on the "Relation of
+the Holy Scriptures to some Parts of Geological Science"--as Dr. John Pye
+Smith. We can say of him, what we can say of very few men, that he is
+accurately acquainted with all the branches of the subject. Eminent as a
+theologian and a philologist, and fully possessed of all the facts in
+geology and natural history, he gives us his opinion, not as a young man,
+fond of novelties, but in the full maturity of judgment and of years.
+"From these instances," says he, "of the scriptural idiom in the
+application of phraseology similar to that in the narrative concerning the
+flood, I humbly think that those terms do not oblige us to understand a
+literal universality; so that we are exonerated from some otherwise
+insuperable difficulties in natural history and geology. If so much of the
+earth was overflowed as was occupied by the human race, both the physical
+and the moral ends of that awful visitation were answered."--_Scrip. and
+Geol._ p. 214, 4th ed.
+
+"Let us now take the seat of the antediluvian population," continues Dr.
+Smith, "to have been in Western Asia, in which a large district, even at
+the present day, lies considerably below the level of the sea. It must not
+be forgotten that six weeks of continued rain would not give an amount of
+water forty times that which fell on the first, or a subsequent day, for
+evaporation would be continually carrying up the water to be condensed,
+and to fall again; so that the same mass of water would return many times.
+If, then, in addition to the tremendous rain, we suppose an elevation of
+the bed of the Persian and Indian Seas, or a subsidence of the inhabited
+land towards the south, we shall have sufficient cause in the hands of
+almighty justice for submerging the district, covering its hills, and
+destroying all living beings within its limits, except those whom divine
+mercy preserved in the ark. The drawing off of the waters would be
+effected by a return of the bed of the sea to a lower level, or by the
+elevation of some tracts of land, which would leave channels and slopes
+for the larger part of the water to flow back into the Indian Ocean, while
+the lower part remained a great lake, or an inland sea, the Caspian."--p.
+217.
+
+It is a circumstance favoring the above suggestions of Dr. Smith, that
+there is a tract of country ten degrees of latitude in breadth, embracing
+most of Asia Minor, ancient Armenia and Georgia, and part of Persia,
+extending at least as far east as the Caspian Sea, and probably much
+farther, in which volcanic agency has been in operation at a comparatively
+recent period. I am not aware that we have evidence of any eruption of
+lava in those regions, within historic times, except, perhaps, some mud
+volcanoes in the Caucasian range. The Katekekaumene, or Burnt District, of
+Asia Minor, and Mount Ararat, probably experienced eruptions at a date
+somewhat earlier, though at a comparatively recent date. Yet important
+changes of level may have been the result of volcanic agency in Central
+Asia, as recently as the Noachian deluge, without leaving any traces which
+would be obvious, without more careful observation than has yet been made
+in those regions. Especially might a subsidence of the surface have taken
+place, and not have left any striking evidence of its occurrence. Still
+more difficult would it now be to discover the marks of vertical movements
+in the bed of the Indian Ocean at the time of the deluge.
+
+I will venture to add another suggestion. If the bed of the Indian Ocean
+was uplifted by volcanic matter, struggling to get vent, vapor enough
+might have been liberated to account, on natural principles, for the forty
+days' rain of the deluge. For it is well known that in volcanic eruptions
+drenching rains are often the result of the sudden condensation of the
+aqueous vapor.
+
+We are here met, however, by a serious objection to the hypothesis, which
+gives only a limited extent to the deluge. If the present Mount Ararat, in
+Armenia, is the mountain on which the ark first rested, a deluge which
+covered its top must, by its flux and reflux, have overspread nearly all
+other portions of the globe, for that mountain rises seventeen thousand
+seven hundred feet above the ocean. But we are informed by Jerome, that
+the name Ararat was given generally to the mountains of Armenia; (indeed,
+that is the meaning of the name;) and long before geology existed,
+Shuckford suggested that some spot farther east corresponds better with
+the scriptural account of the place where the ark rested. For it is said
+of the families of the sons of Noah, that, as they journeyed from the
+east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. Now, Shinar, or Babylonia,
+lies nearly south of the Armenian Ararat, and the probability, therefore,
+is, that the true Ararat, from whose vicinity the descendants of Noah
+probably emigrated, lay much farther to the south. Again, if the ark
+rested upon the present Ararat, it is impossible, except by a miracle,
+that those who came out of it could have reached the plain below; for so
+exceedingly difficult of access is it, that it is doubtful whether, since
+the deluge, any one ever succeeded in reaching its summit, till the year
+1829. Indeed, it is an article in the creed of the Armenian church that
+its ascent is impossible. That the almost universal tradition of Eastern
+nations should have fixed upon that mountain as the resting-place of the
+ark is not strange, considering that there is no mountain in all Asia so
+striking to behold.
+
+But upon the whole, the probability is strong that some other elevation,
+less lofty and steep, was the radiating point of the postdiluvian races of
+man and other animals. The fact of Noah's sending forth a dove from the
+ark, which came back in the evening with an olive leaf in her mouth,
+strengthens the preceding view. For neither upon the present Ararat, nor
+around it, does the olive grow, because it is too cold. Indeed, all its
+upper part is covered with perpetual ice. But if the Ararat of Scripture
+lay nearer the tropics, the olive might find upon it a congenial spot. A
+distinguished botanist adduced the fact about the olive as evidence
+against the Bible. But how easily refuted, if the theory now under
+examination be true!
+
+In favor of this supposition, I might have urged another consideration,
+which, in my mind, has no little weight. It is impossible that the waters
+of the deluge should have covered the earth for a year, without destroying
+nearly all the existing vegetation. Yet nothing is said of the
+preservation of seeds in the ark; and if they had been preserved,
+certainly nothing but miraculous power, and that of the most remarkable
+kind, could have scattered them through the remotest continents and
+islands, so as to form distinct botanical districts, such as have been
+described. The olive, from which a leaf was plucked by the dove sent out
+of the ark, was probably situated upon elevated ground, and where it
+remained but a short time beneath the waters, and therefore did not lose
+its vitality.
+
+It is probable that the theory which makes the deluge limited in extent
+will meet with more favor than any other, with candid and intelligent men,
+to meet the suggested difficulties of the case. But some, who are
+unwilling to abandon the idea of the universality of the deluge, avoid
+these difficulties by supposing a new creation to have taken place at that
+epoch. That such a new creation occurred at the commencement of several
+geological periods can hardly admit a doubt. And a presumption is hence
+derived in favor of a similar act at the beginning of the postdiluvian
+period, preceded as it was, like the other geological periods, by an
+almost entire destruction of organic life.
+
+The principal objection to this view is, that no notice is taken of such a
+new creation in the Bible. And it would seem that an event of so much
+importance would hardly be passed in silence; and yet the bringing into
+existence new races of the inferior animals and plants could have but
+little bearing upon the object of revelation, which respects almost
+exclusively the spiritual condition of man. One, however, can hardly see
+why pairs and septuples of the animals, even in a limited district, need
+to have been preserved in the ark, if a new creation were to follow the
+coming catastrophe; nor why the creation of the antediluvian animals, so
+soon to perish, should have been so particularly described, while no
+notice was taken of the postdiluvian races, which were to occupy the earth
+so much longer time.
+
+A third theory has been suggested by some, embracing both those which have
+been described. They admit the deluge to have been of limited extent, but
+suppose this limitation not to be sufficient to explain all the facts of
+revelation and of science, without a new creation also, at the
+commencement of the postdiluvian period. They suppose, indeed, that
+geology and natural history teach the occasional extinction of species,
+and the creation of others, even in our own times. And in regard to this
+latter view, it may at least be said that it is not contradicted by the
+Bible. Nay, one would almost suppose that the Psalmist were describing
+such a state of things when he says, _Thou hidest thy face; they_
+[animals] _are troubled. Thou takest away their breath; they die and
+return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit; they are created; and
+thou renewest the face of the earth._ The resemblance between this
+language and that employed to describe the original creation is striking.
+Indeed, the same word (_bawraw_) is used.
+
+Without attempting to decide which of these theories has the highest claim
+upon our belief, it is sufficient to remark, that either of them
+reconciles the facts of geology and natural history with the inspired
+record; nor does the adoption of either of them require us to put a forced
+and unnatural construction upon the language of the Bible. Even then, if
+we should admit that a construction agreeing with these theories is not
+the most natural meaning, yet if the facts of natural history
+unequivocally require such an interpretation to harmonize the Bible with
+nature, it is assuredly one of those cases where science must be allowed
+to modify our exegesis of Scripture. In the view of sound philosophy, such
+modification at once disarms scepticism of its cavils.
+
+With two remarks of a practical character, I close the discussion of this
+subject.
+
+First. The history of opinions respecting the Noachian deluge furnishes a
+salutary lesson to those employed in the examination of analogous
+subjects. We have seen these opinions assume almost every possible shape;
+yet, until recently they have all been maintained with the most positive
+and dogmatic assurance; and each particular theory has been regarded as
+involving the essence of the Bible, as being the _articulus stantis vel
+cadentis ecclesiae_, and whoever denied it virtually denied the Bible. But
+all reasonable and truly scientific men are fast coming to the conclusion,
+that the deluge has had very little to do with the present configuration
+of the globe, and that it is doubtful whether any trace of its occurrence
+will ever be found in nature; so that, on the one hand, all the alarms and
+denunciations of misguided Christians on this subject might have been
+spared; and, on the other hand, if the hasty exultation of the infidel, in
+his supposed discovery of discrepancy between nature and Moses, had been
+suppressed until the subject was understood, he would not have experienced
+the mortification of entire defeat.
+
+It is, indeed, very humiliating to human nature to find so many of the
+wise, the talented, and the religious so confident and zealous, yet so
+erroneous. But it is a salutary lesson. It shows us the vast importance of
+being thoroughly acquainted with a subject before we dogmatize upon it. It
+should not, indeed, discourage us, and produce a universal scepticism on
+all subjects not admitting a mathematical demonstration; but it should
+make us cautious in examining the grounds of our conclusions, and modest
+in maintaining them.
+
+Secondly. It is interesting to observe how, amid all the diversities and
+fluctuations of opinion on this subject, the Bible has remained
+unaffected.
+
+The infidel felt confident that the arrows which he drew from this quiver
+would certainly pierce Christianity to the heart. But they rebounded from
+her adamantine breastplate, blunted and broken; and no one will have the
+courage to pick them up and hurl them again. The physico-theological
+school at one time felt certain, that no other theory but an entire
+dissolution of the crust of the globe at the deluge, could possibly be
+made consistent with the Bible. More recently, it has been supposed
+equally necessary, to reconcile geology and revelation, that we should
+admit the antediluvian continents to have sunk beneath the ocean at that
+time. Still later, it has been thought quite certain that the surface of
+the earth bore the most striking marks of a universal deluge, probably
+identical with that of Scripture. At length, the extreme opinion is now
+generally reached, that no trace of the deluge of Noah remains. And
+equally wide and well established is the belief that, amid all these
+fluctuations of theory, the Bible has stood as an immovable rock amid the
+conflicting waves. The final result is, that we have only slightly to
+modify the interpretation of the Mosaic account, in conformity with the
+laws of language, to make it entirely consistent with the notion that all
+traces of the deluge have disappeared. Thus, in the midst of human
+opinions, veering to every point of the compass, the Bible has ever
+remained fixed to one point. Not so with false systems of religion. The
+Hindoo religion contains a false astronomy, as well as anatomy and
+physiology; and the Mohammedan Koran distinctly advances the Ptolemaic
+hypothesis of the universe; so that you have only to prove these religions
+false in science in order to destroy their claim to infallibility. But the
+Bible, stating only facts, does not interfere with, neither is affected
+by, the hypotheses of philosophy. Often, indeed, in past ages, have men
+set up their hypotheses as oracles in the temple of nature, to be
+consulted rather than the Bible. But, like Dagon before the ark, they have
+fallen to the earth, and been broken in pieces before the Word of God;
+while this has ever stood and ever shall stand, in sublime simplicity and
+undecaying strength, amid the wrecks of every false system of philosophy
+and religion.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE V.
+
+THE WORLD'S SUPPOSED ETERNITY.
+
+
+In our attempts thus far to elucidate the religion of geology, our
+attention has been directed to those points where this science has been
+supposed to conflict with revelation; and I trust it has been made
+manifest that the collision was rather with the interpretation than with
+the meaning of Scripture; and that, in fact, geology, instead of coming
+into collision with the Bible, affords us important aid in understanding
+it aright. We now advance to a part of the subject which has a more direct
+bearing upon natural religion. And here, if I mistake not, we shall find
+the illustration of religious truth from this science, as we might expect,
+more direct and palpable.
+
+The subject to which I wish first to call your attention is the world's
+eternity, or the eternal existence of matter. This was the universal
+belief of the philosophers of antiquity, and, indeed, of most reasoning
+minds where the Bible has not been known. The grand argument by which this
+opinion was sustained is the well-known _ex nihilo nihil fit_, (nothing
+produces nothing.) Hence men inferred that not even the Deity could create
+matter out of nothing; and, therefore, it must be eternal. Most of the
+ancient philosophers, however, did not hence infer the non-existence of
+the Deity. But they endeavored to reconcile the existence of eternal
+matter with an eternal Spirit. They supposed both to be self-existent and
+coexistent. From this rational thinking principle they supposed all good
+to be derived; while from the material irrational principle all evil
+sprung. Plato taught that God, of his own will, united himself with
+matter, although he did not create it, and out of it produced the present
+world; so that it was proper to speak of the world as created, although
+the matter was from eternity. Aristotle and Zeno taught that God's union
+with matter was necessary; and hence they considered the world eternal. In
+the opinion of Epicurus, God was entirely separated from matter, which
+consisted of innumerable atoms, floating about from eternity, like dust in
+the air, until at last they assumed the present form of the world.
+
+In modern times, the belief in the eternity of matter has usually been
+connected with, or made the basis of, a refined and popular system of
+atheism. I refer to the pantheism of Spinoza. He maintains that there
+exists in the universe but one substance, variously modified, whose two
+principal attributes are infinite extension and infinite intelligence.
+This substance, the [Greek: to pan] of Spinoza, he regarded as God; and
+hence his system is called _Pantheism_. Under various modifications, it
+has been adopted by many sceptical minds, and is, undoubtedly, the most
+common and plausible system of atheism extant. Other modern writers, among
+whom may be mentioned that anomalous philosopher Bayle, have advocated the
+views of the ancients respecting the eternity of matter.
+
+It may seem strange, but it is true, that some Christian philosophers and
+divines have been, in ancient and modern times, the advocates of the
+eternity of matter. The ancient Christians adopted it from Plato. Thus we
+find Justin Martyr maintaining that God formed the world from an eternal,
+unorganized material. And the schoolmen, who followed Aristotle, taught
+that "God had created the world from eternity." On this ground, even some
+Protestant theologians have asserted that it was absurd to speak of an
+eternal God who is not an eternal Creator.
+
+A principle which has thus been adopted by so many acute minds
+unenlightened by revelation, and by some who possessed that divine
+testimony, must be sustained by some plausible arguments. The principal
+one relied on is, that the changes which are going on in the material
+world are proved to be only transmutations, which follow one another in
+series that return into themselves, and which may, therefore, have been
+going on from eternity; and if this be admitted, it is as easy to suppose
+matter to be self-sustained, and to have fallen into its present order of
+itself, as to suppose the interference of an infinite Spirit. "How do we
+know," says Dr. Chalmers, in stating the atheistic argument, "that the
+world is a consequent at all? Is there any greater absurdity in supposing
+it to have existed, as it now is, at any specified point of time,
+throughout the millions of ages that are past, than that it should so
+exist at this moment? Does what we suppose might have been then, imply any
+greater absurdity, than what we actually see to be at present? Now, might
+not the same question be carried back to any point or period of duration,
+however remote? or, in other words, might we not dispense with a beginning
+for the world altogether?" "For aught we can know _a priori_," says Hume,
+"matter may contain the source or spring of order originally within itself
+as well as mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that
+the several elements, from an internal, unknown cause, may fall into the
+most exquisite arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas, in the
+great universal mind, from a like internal cause, fall into that
+arrangement. If this material world rests upon a similar ideal world,
+this ideal world must rest upon some other, and so on without end. It
+were better, therefore, never to look beyond the present material world.
+By supposing it to contain the principle of its order within itself, we
+really assert it to be God; and the sooner we arrive at that divine Being,
+so much the better."
+
+Now, in what manner have these ingenious arguments been met? Until quite
+recently, no one has supposed that any light on this subject could be
+derived from geology. Indeed, even now, by many, that science is regarded
+as favoring the idea of the world's eternity. Neither has it been thought
+that, on a question of natural theology, like this, it was proper to
+appeal to the Bible. Philosophers and divines, however, have attempted to
+reply to these arguments, irrespective of geology and revelation; and they
+have generally convinced themselves that they have been successful. But to
+my mind, I must confess, this has always appeared the weakest spot in
+natural religion. Some of the arguments to prove the world not eternal do,
+indeed, appear, at first statement, very profound; but they rather silence
+than convince; and the longer we reflect upon them, the more apt are we to
+doubt their force.
+
+And here I am constrained to bear testimony to the masterly manner in
+which this subject has been treated by Dr. Chalmers. Perceiving that the
+defences of natural religion on this subject were weak, in spite of much
+show of strength, he has laid out his giant force of intellect in clearing
+away the rubbish and building a rampart of rock. His remarkable skill in
+seizing upon and bringing out prominently the great principles of a
+difficult subject, and turning them round and round till they fill every
+eye, is here most happily exerted.
+
+Let us now proceed, in the first place, to examine the arguments that have
+been adduced to prove the non-eternity of the world, independent of
+geology and revelation; and in the second place, to derive from these two
+sources of evidence the true ground on which that proposition rests.
+
+The first supposed proof that the world has not eternally existed is
+derived from what is called the _a priori_ argument for the existence of
+the Deity, originally proposed by the monk Anselmus, and afterwards more
+fully illustrated in England by Dr. Samuel Clarke. Take the following
+brief summary of this argument, as applied to the eternity of matter, in
+the words of Dr. Crombie.
+
+"Whatever has existed from eternity, independent and without any external
+cause, must be self-existent. Whatever is self-existent must exist
+necessarily, by an absolute necessity in the nature of the thing. This is
+also self-evident. It follows, therefore, that unless the material world
+exist necessarily, by an absolute necessity in its own nature, so that it
+must be a contradiction to suppose it not to exist, it cannot be
+independent and eternal. In order to disprove this absolute necessity, he
+[Dr. Clarke] reasoned thus: If matter be supposed to exist necessarily,
+then in that necessary existence is included the power of gravitation, or
+it is not. If not, then in a world merely material, and in which no
+intelligent being presides, there never could have been any motion. But if
+the power of gravitation be included in the pretended necessary existence
+of matter, then it follows necessarily, that there must be a vacuum; it
+follows, likewise, that matter is not a necessary being. For if a vacuum
+actually be, then it is plainly more than possible for matter not to be."
+
+Is it not passing strange that such a dreamy argumentation as this--and it
+is a fair sample of Dr. Clarke's extended work on the existence of the
+Deity--should have been regarded as sound logic by many of the acutest
+minds, and that a majority even of the ablest metaphysicians, up almost
+to the present day, should have felt satisfied with it? A few minds,
+indeed, long ago perceived its fallacy, among whom was Alexander Pope, who
+thus sarcastically describes it:--
+
+  "Be that my task, replies a gloomy Clarke,
+  Sworn foe to mystery, yet divinely dark.
+  Let others creep by timid steps and slow,
+  On plain experience lay foundation low,
+  By common sense to common notions bred,
+  And last to nature's cause through nature led,
+  All-seeing in thy mists, we need no guide,
+  Mother of arrogance, and source of pride!
+  We nobly take the high _priori_ road,
+  And reason downward till we doubt of God."
+                                          _Dunciad_, Book IV.
+
+It is impossible, on this occasion, to go into a formal refutation of this
+famous argument. But this is unnecessary; since, as Dr. Chalmers says, it
+"has fallen into utter disesteem and desuetude." Indeed, the language of
+Dr. Thomas Brown on this subject is not too severe, when he says, that he
+"conceives the abstract arguments that have been adduced to show that it
+is impossible for matter to have existed from eternity, by reasoning on
+what has been termed necessary existence, and the incompatibility of this
+necessary existence with the qualities of matter, to be relics of the mere
+verbal logic of the schools, as little capable of producing conviction as
+any of the wildest and most absurd of the technical scholastic reasonings
+on the properties, or supposed properties, of entity and nonentity."
+
+In the second place, it has been argued with much apparent plausibility,
+by Dr. Paley, that wherever we find a complicated organic structure,
+adapted to produce beneficial results, its origin must be sought beyond
+itself; and since the world abounds with such organisms, it cannot be
+eternal; that is, the mere existence of animals and plants proves their
+non-eternity.
+
+Now, without asserting that there is no force in this argument, I have two
+remarks to make upon it. The first is, to quote the reply to it, which
+such a writer as David Hume has given, in language which I have just
+repeated. "For aught we can know _a priori_," says he, "matter may
+contain the source or spring of order originally within itself, as well as
+mind does; and there is no more difficulty in conceiving that the several
+elements, from an internal unknown cause, may fall into the most exquisite
+arrangement, than to conceive that their ideas in the great universal
+mind, from a like internal unknown cause, fall into that arrangement. To
+say that the different ideas, which compose the reason of the Supreme,
+fall into order of themselves, and by their own nature, is really to talk
+without any precise meaning. If it has a meaning, I would fain know why it
+is not as good sense to say, that the parts of the material world fall
+into order of themselves and by their own nature. Can the one opinion be
+intelligible while the other is not so?"
+
+Fairly to meet this reasoning of the prince of sceptics is not an
+achievement of dulness or ignorance. In order to do it triumphantly, we
+want, what Dr. Paley could not find, a distinct example of the creation of
+numerous organic beings by some cause independent of themselves. I say, he
+could not find such an example; for on a question of natural theology, he
+did not think it proper to appeal to the Bible; nor had geology, when he
+wrote, revealed her astonishing record on this subject. But as it is now
+developed, it puts an end to all controversy as to the origin of the
+organic world.
+
+My second remark, however, on this argument is, that even admitting its
+correctness, it only proves the commencement of organic natures, but does
+not show that the matter of which they are composed may not have been
+eternal.
+
+In the third place, an argument against the eternal existence of matter
+has been derived by Sir John Herschel, one of the most distinguished
+natural philosophers of the day, from the atomic constitution of bodies,
+as made known to us by chemistry. This science makes it certainly
+probable, that even the infinitesimal particles of matter have a definite
+and peculiar shape, and size, and weight, in each of the elements. "Now,"
+says this writer, "when we see a great number of things precisely alike,
+we do not believe this similarity to have originated, except from a common
+principle independent of them." "The discoveries alluded to effectually
+destroy the idea of an external self-existent matter, by giving to each of
+its atoms the essential characters at once of a manufactured article and a
+subordinate agent."
+
+To this argument the atheist's reply would be essentially the same as that
+last considered; and in one respect it would even be more forcible,
+because the atomic constitution of bodies, being less complex, is less
+obviously the result of foreign agency, and may more easily be regarded as
+the necessary property of eternal matter. On the other hand, however, it
+is more obviously an attribute of the original constitution of matter than
+organic structure; and if it does require an independent agency for its
+production, it seems difficult to conceive of the existence of matter in a
+previous state. So that, in this point of view, this argument is more
+forcible than the last; and it is no small evidence that it has real
+strength, that it comes to us from one of the most acute and impartial
+minds in Europe.
+
+In the fourth place, it is maintained that the idea of an eternal
+succession, or chain of being, which the atheistic advocates of the
+world's eternity defend, is highly absurd, and even mathematically false.
+
+The atheist mainly relies upon this notion of an eternal series of things;
+for if he can defend that opinion, he will overturn the main argument of
+the Theist for the divine existence, viz., that from design in the works
+of creation. On this ground, therefore, he should be fairly met. Has he
+been so met by the reasoning that has usually been employed to refute his
+opinion? As a fair sample of it, I will here quote the leading points of
+the argument, as given by one of the most popular and able theologians of
+our country. "It is asserted by atheists," says Dr. Dwight, "that there
+has been an eternal series of things. The absurdity of this assertion may
+be shown in many ways."
+
+"First. Each individual in a series is a unit. But every collection of
+units, however great, is with intuitive certainty numerable, and,
+therefore, cannot be infinite."
+
+"Secondly. Every individual in the series (take for example a series of
+men) had a beginning. But a collection of beings must, however long the
+series, have had a beginning. This, likewise, is intuitively evident."
+
+"Thirdly. It is justly observed by the learned and acute Dr. Bentley, that
+in the supposed infinite series, as the number of individual men is
+alleged to be infinite, the number of their eyes must have been twice, the
+number of their fingers ten times, and the number of the hairs on their
+heads many thousand times, as great as the number of men."
+
+"Fourthly. It is also observed by the same excellent writer, that all
+these generations of men were once present."--_Dwight's Theology_, vol.
+ii. p. 24.
+
+How is it possible that such reasoning should have satisfied logical and
+philosophical minds? Would it not be equally good to disprove the
+demonstrated principles of mathematics which relate to infinite
+quantities? For in mathematics an infinite series of units is a familiar
+phrase; and it is also common to speak of one infinite quantity as twice,
+or ten times, or many thousand times, greater than another, and that, too,
+in just such cases as the one referred to above.
+
+True, mathematical infinites are in some respects different from
+metaphysical infinites; but it is the former that belong to this argument,
+since the supposed infinite succession of organic beings forms a
+mathematical series.
+
+An acute writer in our own country, however, has recently attempted to
+show that "there can be no number actually infinite, and therefore no
+infinite number of generations."[11] That the mathematician cannot
+actually present before us the whole of an infinite series, is indeed most
+certain; for such, power belongs only to an Infinite Being. But does the
+fact that man's faculties are limited, prove that an arithmetical process
+cannot be carried on from eternity to eternity? Because man cannot put
+upon paper the series of numbers representing the miles in infinite space,
+or the hours in infinite duration, is there, therefore, no such thing as
+infinite space, or infinite duration? Certainly not, if this reasoning be
+correct.
+
+In spite, however, of such mathematical metaphysics, is it not an
+intelligible statement of the atheist, when he says of any generation of
+men and animals in past time, that there was another that preceded it and
+unless you have matter-of-fact proof to the contrary, how will you
+disprove this assertion? You may show him that practically he can never
+exhibit a series, even of numbers, extending eternally backward; but he
+may, in return, challenge you to put your finger upon the first link of
+the chain of organic nature. If you attempt it, he will reply that other
+links preceded the one you have named, and that, as far as you choose to
+run backward, he can go farther; in other words, by the very supposition
+which he makes, he excludes a beginning to organic nature, and, therefore,
+all reasoning which assumes such a beginning is of no force against his
+conclusions. If a series which may thus be extended indefinitely backward
+be not infinite in a metaphysical sense, it is to common sense.
+
+Let me not be thought to be an advocate in any sense for the unsupported
+notion of an infinite series of organic beings. But the question is,
+whether those who, in spite of common sense, have maintained this opinion,
+have been fairly refuted by such metaphysical evasions as I have quoted.
+The truth is, that, in order to end this dispute, the Theist needs to
+bring forward at least one example in which the commencement of some race
+of animals can be fairly pointed out; and I know not where such an example
+can be found, save in the Bible and geology.
+
+In the fifth place, the changing state of the world has been regarded as
+incompatible with the world's eternity. This argument is thus stated by
+Bishop Sumner: "If the universe itself is the first eternal being, its
+existence is necessary, as metaphysicians speak; and it must be possessed
+of all those qualities which are inseparable from necessary existence. Of
+this nature are immutability and perfection. For change is the attribute
+of imperfection, and imperfection is incompatible with that Being, which
+is, as the hypothesis affirms, independent, and, therefore, can have no
+source of imperfection. To suppose, therefore, of the first independent
+Being, that it could have existed otherwise than it is, is no less
+contrary to the idea of necessity, with which we set out, than to suppose
+it not to exist at all."
+
+This reasoning is not destitute of plausibility. For there is scarcely any
+lesson more forcibly impressed on short-lived man than the mutability of
+the world. And it is indeed true that change is its most striking
+attribute. But when we look at the subject philosophically, we find that
+all this mutability is consistent with the most perfect ultimate
+stability; nay, that the change is essential to secure the stability.
+Apart from what revelation and geology teach, these changes in nature form
+cycles, which, like those in astronomy, are perfectly consistent with the
+eternal permanence of the general system to which they belong. In the
+motions of the heavenly bodies, a considerable amount of irregularity and
+oscillation about a mean state does not tend to the ruin, but rather to
+the preservation, of the system, provided the anomalies do not extend
+beyond certain limits. It is just so with other changes that are going on
+around us. All of them are, in fact, as much regulated by mathematical
+laws as the perturbations of the heavenly bodies; although those laws are
+more complicated and difficult to bring out in distinct formulae in the
+former case than in the latter. Yet even in astronomy, it is not many
+years since the mutual disturbances among the heavenly bodies were
+supposed to be the certain precursors of ruin to the system. It was not
+till the famous problem of the three bodies was solved, by the use of the
+most refined mathematical analysis, that astronomers learnt the true
+operation of those causes of disturbance among the heavenly bodies which
+exist in their mutual attractions. It was then found that, so balanced are
+they in their action, and so narrow their limits, that they can never
+affect the stability of the system; or, rather, they secure that
+stability. It is, indeed, true, that when changes in nature go on
+increasing or decreasing in magnitude indefinitely, they clearly indicate
+a beginning and an end to the system to which they belong. And it was on
+this principle that the earlier astronomers predicted that the celestial
+perturbations would ultimately bring the universe to a state of chaos.
+They found, for instance, that the moon's orbit was decreasing in size,
+and they inferred that, ultimately, that luminary must come to the earth.
+But they now know it to be mathematically certain that, after a long
+period, the diminution of the orbit will cease; it will begin to expand,
+and go on expanding,-until the opposite point of oscillation is reached,
+when it will again diminish; and in this manner, if God's will permit,
+perform its eternal round. Just so it is with all the irregularities of
+the solar system.
+
+              "Yonder starry sphere
+  Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels,
+  Resembles nearest mazes intricate,
+  Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular;
+  Then most, when most irregular they seem."
+
+And so it is with all the natural changes which we witness around us, and
+with all which science shows us to have taken place on the globe,
+excepting some which geology discloses, and perhaps one which astronomy
+renders probable. Let us look at some of those changes which the argument
+under consideration regards as inconsistent with the world's eternity.
+
+Nearly all the changes in nature with which we are acquainted belong to
+three classes,--the mechanical, the chemical, and the organic.
+Astronomical changes are purely mechanical; and hence the ease with which
+they may be calculated by mathematics. The universal system of death,
+which reigns over all animals and plants, is the result of organic laws;
+and it is this which probably gives to man the strongest impression of the
+transient nature of sublunary things. But just consider the antagonist
+agencies to this universal destroyer. I refer to the equally universal
+system of reproduction, and to the law by which permanence of species is
+secured. The consequence is, that, while every individual animal and plant
+dies, the species survives. In the whole history of the animals and plants
+now existing on the globe, only eight or ten certain examples are on
+record in which a species has become extinct, and those are some large
+birds, such as the dinornis and dodo, once inhabitants of the Isle of
+Bourbon and New Zealand. Every one of the human family, every elephant,
+every ox, every lion, &c., die, but man, as a species, still lives; and so
+does the elephant, the ox, and the lion; and most obviously this is a law
+of nature. How easy, then, for the atheist to evade the force of your
+argument against the world's eternity, drawn from the ravages of death! He
+has only to suppose the havoc of individuals by death always to have been
+repaired by the equivalent operation of reproduction, and that these two
+agencies have been balanced against each other from eternity; and how will
+you prove this impossible, except by the absurd metaphysical arguments
+already considered?
+
+Atmospheric and aqueous changes often, and, indeed, generally, appear more
+chaotic and destitute of a controlling force than any others in nature.
+When the winds are let loose from their prison-house; when the heavens
+become dark, and the clouds, rent by the lightnings, pour down their
+contents, and the swollen torrents carry desolation down the mountain's
+side and over the wide plain; when the ocean rolls in upon the land its
+giant waves; when the tornado sweeps all before it, in rich tropical
+regions; or when the sirocco sends its hot blast, loaded with sand, over
+the devoted surface,--in all these cases, how difficult for us to conceive
+that all this uproar among the elements is limited and controlled by laws
+as fixed and unalterable as those which regulate the heavenly bodies!
+Nevertheless, it must be so; and although the winds and the waters seem to
+be rioting at their pleasure, there are, in fact, at work antagonist
+agencies; which will confine their wild war to a narrow field, and soon
+bring them again into peaceful submission. For such has always been the
+case, and the limits of their irregularities are no wider now than six
+thousand years ago. In other words, the repressing agency has always been
+superior to the destroying force, when the latter has risen to a certain
+limit; and I doubt not but the profounder mathematics of angelic minds
+might as easily calculate the anomalies and perturbations of winds and
+waves as the formulas of La Place can determine those of the solar system.
+And if such constancy has existed for six thousand years in meteorological
+changes,--of all others in nature apparently the most irregular,--why, the
+atheist will ask, may not that constancy have been eternal? And with equal
+reason may he ask the same in respect to all changes resulting from
+mechanical, chemical, and organic laws, which we witness in nature, except
+those which come within the province of geology, and even concerning some
+of those; and what changes in the material world do not result, directly
+or remotely, from one or two, or all of these laws? Yet, in regard to all
+these changes, there is no inconsistency in supposing them to have gone on
+in an eternal series; and hence they furnish no proof of the non-eternity
+of the world.
+
+In the seventh and last place, the recent origin of society, as shown by
+historical monuments, is regarded as evidence of the recent origin of the
+world. This argument was well understood as long ago as the days of
+Lucretius, who states it very clearly in the oft-quoted lines,--
+
+  "Si nulla fuit genitalis origo,
+  Terrarum et coeli, semperque eterna fuit,
+  Cur, supra bellum Thebanum et funera Trojae,
+  Non alias alii quoque res cecinere poetae?"
+
+This argument, though it has been met by a plausible reply, is certainly
+of great importance in its bearing upon the recent origin of the human
+race, which, as we shall shortly see, is a point of much interest. But it
+is obvious that it proves nothing respecting the origin of matter, since
+this might have had an eternal existence before man was placed upon it. We
+need not, therefore, be delayed by its discussion.
+
+Such is a fair summary, as I believe, of the arguments usually adduced,
+aside from the Bible and geology, to prove the non-eternity of the world.
+I am not prepared to say that they amount to nothing; but I do believe
+that they perplex, rather than convince, and that some of them are mere
+metaphysical quibbles.
+
+They do not produce that instantaneous conviction which most of the
+arguments of natural theology force upon the mind; and it is easy to see
+how a man of a sceptical turn should rise from their examination entirely
+unaffected, or affected unfavorably. Let us now, therefore, turn to
+geology, and inquire whether its archives will afford us any clearer light
+upon the subject.
+
+And here we must confess, at the outset, that geology furnishes us no more
+evidence than the other sciences of the creation of the matter of the
+universe out of nothing. But it does furnish us with examples of such
+modifications of matter as could be effected only by a Deity. Suppose,
+then, we should be obliged to acknowledge to the atheist, that we yield to
+him the point of matter's eternal existence, if he pleases, because we can
+find nowhere in nature decisive evidence of its creation, and then take
+our stand upon the arrangements and metamorphoses of matter. Or, rather,
+suppose we say to him, that we shall not contend with him as to the origin
+of matter, but challenge him to explain, if he can, without a Deity, its
+modifications, as taught by geology. If that science does disclose to us
+such changes on the globe as no power and wisdom but those of an infinite
+God could produce, then of what consequence is it, so far as religion is
+concerned, whether we can, or cannot, demonstrate the first creation of
+matter? I can conceive of no religious truth that would be unfavorably
+affected, though we should admit that this point cannot be settled. Let
+us, then, at least for the sake of argument, admit that it cannot be, and
+proceed to inquire whether, aside from this point, geology does not teach
+us all that is necessary to establish the most perfect system of Theism. I
+shall select four examples from that science, each of which is independent
+of the others in its bearing upon the subject, since in this way the
+argument will become cumulative; and if some are not satisfied with one
+example, the others may produce conviction.
+
+In the first place, geology teaches that the time has been when the earth
+existed as a molten mass of matter, and, therefore, all the animals and
+plants now existing upon its surface, and all those buried in its rocky
+strata, must have had a beginning, or have been created. I should be
+sustained by many probabilities, were I to go farther, and maintain that
+the time was when the globe existed in a gaseous state--an opinion very
+widely adopted by able philosophers of the present day. But as this view
+is more hypothetical than my first position, which makes the earth a
+liquid mass, and as nothing would be gained to the argument by supposing
+it in a gaseous state, I shall not press that point. That it was once in a
+state of fusion is probable from the very great heat still remaining in
+its interior. But more direct proof of this results from the facts, now
+admitted by almost all geologists, that the unstratified rocks have all
+been melted, and that the stratified class have all, or nearly all, been
+the result of disintegration and abrasion of the unstratified masses. A
+striking confirmation of this opinion is the spheroidal figure of the
+earth,--a figure precisely such as the globe would have assumed in
+consequence of rotation, had it been in a fluid state. In fine, so many
+and so decisive are the facts which point to the original igneous fluidity
+of the globe, that no competent judge thinks of doubting that all the
+matter of which it is composed, certainly its crust, has some time or
+other been in that state. It is, however, the opinion of some geologists
+of distinction, that the whole of it was not in fusion at the same time,
+and that its different portions have passed successively through the
+furnace. But this view of the subject scarcely affects my argument, since
+at whatever period the fusion of any part took place, the destruction of
+organic life, if it existed, must have been the consequence. The essential
+thing is, to show that such was once the state of the earth that animals
+and plants could not have existed on it. For if such was the case, their
+creation must have been a subsequent operation; and if this did not
+require an infinite Being to accomplish it, no result in nature would
+demand his agency.
+
+To prove the original igneous fluidity of the globe, we might have adopted
+another course of argument. All will admit that the present temperature of
+the interior of the earth is far more elevated than that of the
+surrounding planetary spaces. The inevitable result is, from the known
+laws of heat, that its radiation into the celestial spaces is constantly
+going on, and consequently the earth's temperature is being constantly
+lowered. Who can tell us now when this process of refrigeration commenced?
+If no one, then there must have been a time when the heat was great enough
+to fuse the whole globe. And the facts already stated confirm such an
+inference. For all the efforts hitherto made to show that the earth may be
+passing through regions of various temperatures, in its march around the
+centre of centres, amount to nothing more than dreamy conjecture.
+
+In order to feel the force of the argument, sustained by so many facts in
+geology, just picture to yourselves this vast globe as a mass of liquid
+fire. From such a world every thing organic must have been excluded, and
+every thing combustible consumed, and only such combinations of matter
+have existed as incandescent heat could not decompose. Compare such a
+world with that now teeming with life, and beauty, and glory, which we
+inhabit; and say, must not the transition to its present condition have
+demanded the exercise of infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite
+benevolence? You can, indeed, conceive how a solid crust might have formed
+over the vast fiery ocean, by the simple radiation of heat; and then, too,
+by natural laws, might the vapors have been condensed into oceans and
+clouds, while volcanic force within might have lifted up our continents
+and mountains above the flood. But what a picture of desolation and ruin
+would such a world present, while unadorned with vegetation, and with no
+voice of life to break the stillness of universal death! Here is, then,
+the precise point where we need the interference of a Deity. Admit, if you
+please, that atheism, with its eternal matter and the laws of nature at
+command, might form a world without inhabitants. Who does not see, that to
+bestow organization, and life, and instinct, to say nothing of intellect,
+upon brute matter, is the loftiest prerogative of Jehovah? especially to
+fill so vast a world as ours with its teeming millions, exhibiting ten
+thousand diversities of size, form, and structure.
+
+Let the atheist then exult in the belief of an eternal world. Geology
+shows him that it must have been without inhabitants; and that, therefore,
+the most wonderful part of the creation still remains to be accounted for;
+while physiology teaches that the interference of an infinite Deity can
+alone solve the enigma.
+
+My second example from geology to disprove the notion of an eternal series
+of animals and plants on the globe, is derived from the history of organic
+remains. That history shows us clearly, that the earth, since its
+creation, has been the seat of several distinct economies of life, each
+occupying long periods, and successively passing away. During each of
+these periods, distinct groups of animals and plants have occupied the
+earth, the air, and the waters. Each successive group has been entirely
+distinct from that which preceded it, though each group was exactly
+adapted to the existing state of the climate and the food provided; so
+that, had the different groups changed places with one another, they must
+have perished, because their constitutions were adapted only to the state
+of things during the period in which they actually lived. A distinguished
+naturalist has recently declared that "he has discovered, in surveying the
+entire series of fossil animal remains, five great groups, so completely
+independent that no species whatever is found in more than one of
+them."--_Deshayes._
+
+Including the existing races, this would give us six entirely distinct
+groups of organic beings that have lived in succession upon this globe
+since it became a habitable world. But even if it should be found that a
+few species are common to adjoining groups, the great truth would still
+remain, that the different groups were too much unlike to be
+contemporaries, and that consequently a new creation must have taken place
+whenever each new group commenced its course.
+
+It is probable the earth has changed its inhabitants more than the six
+times that have been mentioned; some think as many as twelve times. But a
+larger number cannot yet be proved so clearly; and could they be, they
+would add nothing to this argument; for it rests mainly on the fact that
+this change of organic life has even once been complete. We may, however,
+very safely assume that the present animals and plants are the sixth group
+that have occupied the globe.[12]
+
+These facts being admitted, and who does not see the necessity of divine
+interference, whenever one race of animals and plants passed from the
+earth in order to repeople it? It is not difficult to conceive how
+volcanic fires, or aqueous inundations, may have carried universal
+destruction over the globe, and bereft it of inhabitants. But where, save
+in the fiat of an infinite Deity, is the power that can make this universe
+of death teem again with life and beauty? In the powerful language of Dr.
+Chalmers, we may inquire, "Is there aught in the rude and boisterous play
+of a great physical catastrophe that can germinate those exquisite
+structures, which, during our yet undisturbed economy, have been
+transmitted in pacific succession to the present day? What is there in the
+rush, and turbulence, and mighty clamor of such great elements, of ocean
+heaved from its old resting-place, and lifting its billows above the Alps
+and the Andes of a former continent,--what is there in this to charm into
+being the embryo of an infant family, wherewith to stock and to repeople a
+now desolate world? We see in the sweeping energy and uproar of this
+elemental war enough to account for the disappearance of all the old
+generations, but nothing that might cradle any new generations into
+existence, so as to have effloresced on ocean's deserted bed the life and
+loveliness which are now before our eyes. At no juncture, we apprehend, in
+the history of the world, is the interposition of the Deity more manifest
+than at this; nor can we better account for so goodly a creation emerging
+again into new forms of animation and beauty from the wreck of the old
+one, than that the spirit of God moved on the face of chaos, and that
+nature, turned by the last catastrophe into a wilderness, was again
+repeopled at the utterance of his word."
+
+Sir Isaac Newton has said, that "the growth of new systems out of old
+ones, without the mediation of a divine power, seems to me apparently
+absurd." He seems in this passage to have referred only to the
+arrangements of matter, "with respect to size, figure, proportions, and
+properties," and not to the principle of life, of instinct, or of
+intellect. But when the latter are taken into the account, it must be
+superlatively absurd to suppose new systems can grow out of old ones by
+merely natural operations. He, indeed, who can bring himself to believe,
+with a certain writer, that "the instincts of animals are nothing more
+than inert and passive attractions, derived from the power of sensation,
+and the instinctive operations of animals nothing more than
+crystallizations produced through the agency of that power,"--such a man
+could probably easily persuade himself that, by the help of galvanism,
+animals and plants might be the result of natural operations. Such
+doctrines, however, we shall examine in another lecture.
+
+My third example from geology, showing the non-eternity of the present
+condition of the globe, is the fact of the disappearance of several large
+species of animals since the commencement of the most recent or alluvial
+geological period. Certain large pachydermatous and other animals, such as
+the fossil elephant, the mastodon, the megatherium, the mylodon, the
+megalonyx, the glyptodon, the fossil horse, ox, deer, &c., also nine or
+ten species of huge birds--the dinornis, the palapteryx, aptornis,
+notornis, and nestor of New Zealand, the dodo of Mauritius and Bourbon,
+and the pezohaps or solitaire of Rodriguez,--have ceased to exist since
+the tertiary period; some of them--the birds, for instance--since man's
+creation. Now, if any important species of animals from time to time
+disappear from any system of organic life, it shows a tendency to ruin in
+that system; for such is the intimate dependence of different beings upon
+one another, that you cannot blot out one, certainly not a large number,
+without disturbing the healthy balance between the whole, and probably
+bringing the whole to ultimate ruin. At any rate, if several species die
+out by natural processes, no reason can be given why others should not, in
+like manner, disappear. And to prove that any organic system shows a
+tendency to ruin is to show that it had a beginning.
+
+My third example from geology, demonstrating the special interference of
+the Deity in the affairs of this world, is the fact of the comparatively
+recent commencement of the human race. That man was among the very last of
+the animals created is made certain by the fact that his remains are found
+only in the highest part of alluvium. This is rarely more than one hundred
+feet in thickness, while the other fossiliferous strata, lying beneath the
+alluvium, are six miles thick.
+
+Hence man was not in existence during all the period in which these six
+miles of strata were in a course of deposition, and he has existed only
+during the comparatively short period in which the one hundred feet of
+alluvium have been formed; nay, during only a small part of the alluvial
+period. His bones, having the same chemical composition as the bones of
+other animals, are no more liable to decay; and, therefore, had he lived
+and died in any of the periods preceding the alluvial, his bones must have
+been mixed with those of other animals belonging to those periods. But
+they are not thus found in a single well-authenticated instance, and,
+therefore, his existence has been limited to the alluvial period. Hence he
+must have been created and placed upon the globe--such is the testimony of
+geology--during the latter part of the alluvial period.
+
+I might include in this example nearly all the other species of existing
+animals and plants, since it is only a very few of these that are found
+fossil, and such species are limited to the tertiary strata. But since
+this might make some confusion in the argument, and since man is
+confessedly at the head of the existing creation, I prefer to let his case
+stand out alone, and to regard it _instar omnium_.
+
+Here, then, we have a case in which geology can lay her finger upon the
+precise epoch, in the revolutions of our globe, in which the most
+complicated, perfect, and exalted being that ever dwelt upon its surface
+first began to be. It was not the commencement of a mere zoophyte, or
+cryptogamean plant, in which we see but little superiority to unorganized
+matter, except in their possession of a low degree of vitality. But we
+have a being complicated enough to contain a million of parts, endowed
+with the two great attributes of life, sensibility and contractility, in
+the highest degree, and, above all, possessing intellect and moral powers
+far more wonderful than organization and animal life.
+
+As to the period when the creation of such a being, by the most
+astonishing of all miracles, took place, I believe there is no diversity
+of opinion. At least, all agree that it was very recent; nay, although
+geology can rarely give chronological dates, but only a succession of
+events, she is able to say, from the monuments she deciphers, that man
+cannot have occupied the globe more than six thousand years.
+
+Now, if it was difficult to conceive how successive races of the inferior
+animals and plants could have originated in the laws of nature, without
+the special interference of the Deity, that difficulty increases in a
+rapid ratio as we ascend on the scale of organization and intellect, and
+attempt in the same manner to account for the origin of man without the
+miraculous agency of Deity. The thorough-going materialist, however, does
+not shrink from the effort. "Thought," says Bory de St. Vincent, "being
+the necessary result of a certain kind of organization, wherever this
+order is established, thought is necessarily derived from it; and it is no
+more possible for the molecules of matter, arranged in a certain manner,
+not to produce thought, than for brass, when smitten, not to return a
+sound, or for creatures formed by this matter, after such and such laws,
+not to walk, not to breathe, not to reproduce; in a word, not to exercise
+any of the faculties which result from their peculiar mechanism of
+organization."--Dict. Clas. _D. Hist. Nat._ art. _Matiere_.
+
+This may seem, upon a superficial view, to be settling this matter at
+once. But it merely shifts the difficulty from one part of the subject to
+another. Admitting the premises of the materialist to be correct, it does
+indeed show us the proximate cause of thought. But the mind immediately
+inquires how a certain organization became possessed of such wonderful
+power. Is it inherent in matter, or is it a power communicated to
+organization by a supreme Being? If the latter, it is just what the
+Theist contends for; if the former, then there is just as much necessity
+for the original interposition of the Deity, in order to give matter such
+an astonishing power, as there is, on the theory of the immaterialist, to
+impart a spiritual and immortal principle to matter. The materialist will,
+indeed, say that matter has possessed this power from eternity. But this
+supposition, evidently absurd, does in fact invest matter with the
+attributes of Deity; since those attributes, and those alone, are
+sufficient to account for the phenomena. And besides, how is the fact to
+be explained that this power was not exerted till six thousand years ago?
+
+But with the exception of the materialist, I am sure that most reasoning
+minds will feel as if the creation of the human family was one of the most
+stupendous, perhaps the most stupendous, exercise of infinite power and
+wisdom which the universe exhibits. If any change whatever demands a Deity
+for its accomplishment, it must be this; and, therefore, geology presents,
+in the case of man, the most striking example which nature could furnish
+of a beginning of organic and intellectual life on the globe. It shows us
+that there was a time, and that not remote, when the first link of the
+curious chain of the human family, now constantly lengthening by
+inflexible laws, was created.
+
+I might now refer to certain recent discoveries in astronomy, which have
+the same bearing upon the general argument as the examples that have been
+quoted from geology, although less decisive. After the famous
+demonstration of the eternity of the universe by La Grange, provided the
+present laws of gravity alone control it, we could hardly expect that, so
+soon, even astronomy would furnish proof of a disturbing cause, which must
+ultimately and inevitably bring ruin among the heavenly bodies, if some
+counteracting agency be not exerted. Yet such a source of derangement
+exists in the supposed medium extending through all space, which has
+already shown its retarding influence upon Enke's, Biela's, and Halley's
+comets. And who can say that some of the vast periods which geology
+discloses may not have been commensurate with those intervening between
+catastrophes among the heavenly bodies as the result of the universal
+resisting ether? At present, however, we can say only that we know such
+long periods have existed in geology, and probably in astronomy. And their
+mere existence is fatal to the idea of the eternity of the world in its
+present state.
+
+If, then, geology can clearly demonstrate the present state of the globe
+to have had a beginning; if she can show us the period, by fair induction,
+when one liquid, fiery ocean enveloped the whole earth; if she can show us
+five or six economies of organic life successively flourishing and passing
+away; if she can trace man back to his origin at a comparatively recent
+date; if, in fact, she can show us that the most important operations on
+the globe, and the most complicated and exalted organic races, had a
+beginning; and if astronomy affords glimpses of similar changes,--then why
+may we not safely leave the subject of the world's eternity an undecided
+question, consistently with the most perfect Theism? If we can prove that
+the power, the wisdom, and the benevolence of the Deity have again and
+again interfered with the regular sequence of nature's operations, and
+introduced new conditions and new and more perfect beings, by using the
+matter already in existence, what though we cannot, by the light of
+science, run back to the first production of matter itself? What though
+the atheist should here be allowed to maintain his favorite theory that
+matter never had a beginning? What doctrine of natural religion is
+thereby unfavorably affected, if we can only show the interposition of the
+Deity in all of matter's important modifications? Such an admission would
+not prove matter to be eternal, but only that science has not yet placed
+within the reach of man the means of proving its non-eternity. And really,
+such an admission would be far more favorable to the cause of truth than
+to rely, as theologians have done, on metaphysical subtilties to prove
+that matter had a beginning. For the sceptical mind will not merely remain
+unconvinced by such arguments, but be very apt to draw the sweeping
+inference that all the doctrines of natural and revealed religion rest on
+similar dreamy abstractions.
+
+But is natural theology in fact destitute of all satisfactory proof that
+the matter of the universe had a beginning? Such proof, it seems to me,
+she will seek in vain in the wide fields of physical and mathematical
+science; and the solution of the question which metaphysics offers, as we
+have seen, does not satisfy. But there are sources of evidence on this
+point which seem to me of the most satisfactory kind.
+
+In the first place, we may derive from science some presumptive proof of a
+commencement of the matter of the universe. The fact that the organic
+races on the globe had a beginning affords such proof. For matter could
+not have originated itself; nor is there any proof of its eternal
+existence; and to assume that it did eternally exist, without proof, is
+far more unphilosophical than to admit its origination in the divine will.
+For since God has complete control over matter, it is probable that he
+created it with such properties as he wished it to possess. And
+furthermore, to the power and wisdom that could set in motion the heavenly
+bodies, and create and adapt existing organisms out of preexistent matter,
+we can assign no limits, and hence conclude them to be infinite.
+Therefore they are sufficient to the production of matter, which could not
+have demanded more than infinite wisdom and power.
+
+Now, in confirmation of these presumptions, we may appeal to the Bible. It
+is true that writers have been accustomed to consider it contrary to sound
+logic to draw from revelation any support or illustrations of natural
+religion. But why should an historical fact possess less value, if
+transmitted to us through the channel of sacred, rather than profane,
+writers? Now, it would be regarded as perfectly good reasoning to seize
+upon any facts stated by heathen philosophers and historians, illustrative
+of natural religion. But the Scriptures carry with them, to say the least,
+quite as strong evidence of their authenticity and claims to be credited,
+as any ancient uninspired writer. We place them on the same ground as any
+other history, and demand for them only that they should be believed so
+far as we have testimony to their authenticity. If a man, after careful
+examination of their evidences, comes to the conclusion that they are mere
+fables, then to him their testimony is of no value to prove or illustrate
+any truth of natural religion. But if he is convinced that they are worthy
+of credence, then their statements may decide a point about which the
+light of nature leaves him in uncertainty. In this way the Bible is used
+by the natural theologian, just as he would employ any curious object in
+nature--say, the human hand, or the eye. These organs exist, and their
+mechanism is to be accounted for either with or without a God. And so the
+Bible exists, and its contents are to be accounted for; and if they
+clearly evince the agency of a Deity, then we may use them, just as we
+would use the eye or the hand, to prove or illustrate important truths in
+natural theology.
+
+But the testimony of the Bible, as to the origin of the world, is most
+explicit and decided. It declares that _in the beginning God created the
+heavens and the earth; and that the worlds were formed by the word of God,
+so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do
+appear_. The obvious meaning of this latter passage is, that the material
+universe was created out of nothing. ([Greek: ta me phainomena].) How much
+more satisfactory this simple and consistent statement, than a volume of
+abstract argument to prove the non-eternity of the world!
+
+Now, if the testimony of the Scriptures on all other points has been found
+correct, why should we not receive with unhesitating credence, and even
+with joy, the sublime announcement with which that volume opens? True, we
+are not compelled to admit this statement, in order to save Theism from
+refutation, because geology shows us the commencement of several economies
+on the globe, which point us to a divine Author. But the doctrine of
+matter's creation out of nothing gives a desirable completeness to the
+system.
+
+In looking back upon the subject, which has thus been discussed, too
+briefly for its merits, but too prolixly for your patience, several
+important inferences force themselves upon our attention.
+
+And first, it furnishes a satisfactory reply to a well-known objection,
+otherwise unanswerable, against the argument from design in nature to
+prove the existence of a Deity. We present ten thousand examples of
+exquisite design and adaptation in nature to the atheist. He admits them
+all; but says, it was always so, and therefore requires no other Deity but
+the power eternally inherent in nature. At your metaphysical replies to
+his objections he laughs; but when you take him back on geological wings,
+and bid him gaze on man, just springing, with his lofty powers, from the
+plastic hands of his Creator, and then, still earlier, you point him to
+system after system of organic life starting up in glorious variety and
+beauty on the changing earth, and even still nearer the birth of time, you
+show him the globe, a glowing ocean of fire, swept of all organic life, he
+is forced to exclaim, "A God! a personal God! an infinitely wise and
+powerful God!" What though he still clings to the notion of matter's
+eternity? you have forced him to see the hand of Deity in its wonderful
+arrangements and metamorphoses; the hand of such a Deity as might have
+brought it into existence in a moment, by the word of his power.[13]
+
+Secondly. The subject presents us with a new argument for the existence of
+a God, or rather a satisfactory modification of the argument from design.
+In that argument, as derived from other sciences, the Theist finds,
+indeed, multiplied and beautiful proofs of adaptation and apparent design;
+but then he cannot, as already observed, from those sciences derive proof
+of the commencement either of matter or its arrangements; and then, too,
+the sceptic, with plausible ingenuity, can take his stand upon law as the
+efficient agent in nature's movements and harmonies. But when geology
+shows us, not the commencement of matter, but of organism, and presents us
+with full systems of animals and plants springing out of inorganic
+elements, where is the law that exhibits even a tendency to such results?
+Nothing can explain them but the law of miracles; that is, creation by
+divine interposition. Thus is the idea of a Deity forced nakedly upon us,
+as the only possible solution of the enigmas of creation. The
+metaphysical Theist must waste half his strength in battling the
+questions about the beginning of matter, and the laws of matter; nor can
+he ever entirely dislodge the enemy from these strongholds of atheism. But
+the geological Theist takes us at once into a field where work has been
+done, which neither eternal law, nor eternal matter, but an infinite
+personal Deity only, could accomplish.
+
+In conclusion, I would merely refer to the interesting fact, that geology
+should prove almost the only science that presents us with exigencies
+demanding the interposition of creating power. And yet, up to the present
+time, geology has been looked upon by many Christian writers with jealous
+eye, because it was supposed to teach the world's eternity, and so to
+account for natural changes by catastrophes and the gradual operation of
+existing agencies, as to render a Deity unnecessary, either for the
+creation or regulation of the world. One of these writers has even most
+uncharitably and unreasonably said, that "the mineral geology, considered
+as a science, can do as well without God (though in a question concerning
+the origin of the earth) as Lucretius did."--Granville Penn, _Comparative
+Estimate_, &c.--How much ground there is for such an allegation, let the
+developments made in this lecture answer. Surely, in this case, geology
+has followed the directions of the Oriental poet:--
+
+  "Learn from yon Orient shell to love thy foe,
+  And strew with pearls the hand that brings thee woe;
+  Free, like yon rock, from base, vindictive pride,
+  Emblaze with gems the wrist that rends thy side.
+  Mark where yon tree rewards the stony shower
+  With fruit nectareous or the balmy flower.
+  All nature calls aloud,--'Shall man do less
+  Than heal the smiter, and the railer bless?'"
+
+Misunderstood or misinterpreted though this science has been, she now
+offers her aid to fortify some of the weakest outposts of religion. And
+thus shall it ever be with all true science. Twin sister of natural and
+revealed religion, and of heavenly birth, she will never belie her
+celestial origin, nor cease to sympathize with all that emanates from the
+same pure home. Human ignorance and prejudice may for a time seem to have
+divorced what God has joined together. But human ignorance and prejudice
+shall at length pass away, and then science and religion shall be seen
+blending their parti-colored rays into one beautiful bow of light, linking
+heaven to earth and earth to heaven.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VI.
+
+GEOLOGICAL PROOFS OF THE DIVINE BENEVOLENCE.
+
+
+The subject of the present lecture is the divine benevolence, as taught by
+geology. But what connection, it will be asked, can there be between the
+history of rocks and the benevolence of God? Do not the leading points of
+that history consist of terrible catastrophes, aqueous or igneous, by
+which the crust of the earth has been dislocated and upheaved, mountains
+lifted up and overturned, the dry land inundated, now by scorching lava,
+and now by the ocean, sweeping from its face all organic life, and
+entombing its inhabitants in a stony grave? Who can find the traces of
+benevolence in the midst of such desolation and death? Is it not the very
+place where the objector would find arguments to prove the malevolence,
+certainly the vindictive justice, of the Deity?
+
+This, I am aware, is a not unnatural _prima facie_ view of this subject.
+But it is a false one. Geology does furnish some very striking evidence of
+divine benevolence; and if I can show this, and from so unpromising a
+field gather decisive arguments on this subject, they will be so much
+clear gain to the cause of Theism. This is what, therefore, I shall now
+attempt to do.
+
+_In the first place, I derive an argument for the divine benevolence from
+the manner in which soils are formed by the disintegration and
+decomposition of rocks._
+
+Chemical analysis shows us that the mineral constituents of rocks are
+essentially the same as those of soils; and that the latter differ from
+the former, in a pulverized state, only in containing animal and vegetable
+matter. Hence we cannot doubt but the soils originated from the rocks.
+And, in fact, the process of their production is continually going on
+under our eyes. Wherever the rocks are exposed to atmospheric agencies,
+they are seen to crumble down; and, in fact, most of them, having been
+long exposed, are now covered with a deposit of their own ruins, forming a
+soil over them. This process is in part decomposition and in part
+disintegration; and as we look upon rocks thus wasting away, we are apt to
+be impressed with the idea that it is an instance of decay in nature's
+works, which, instead of indicating benevolence, can hardly be reconciled
+with divine wisdom. But when we learn that this is the principal mode in
+which soils are produced, that without it vegetation could not be
+sustained, and that a world like ours without plants must also be without
+animals, this apparent ruin puts on the aspect of benevolence and wise
+design.
+
+_My second argument in proof of the divine benevolence is derived from the
+disturbed, broken, and overturned condition of the earth's crust._
+
+To the casual observer, the rocks have the appearance of being lifted up,
+shattered, and overturned. But it is only the geologist who knows the vast
+extent of this disturbance. He never finds crystalline, non-fossiliferous
+rocks, which have not been more or less removed from their original
+position; and usually he finds them to have been thrown up by some
+powerful agency into almost every possible position. The older
+fossiliferous strata exhibit almost equal evidence of the operation of a
+powerful disturbing force, though sometimes found in their original
+horizontal position. The newer rocks have experienced less of this
+agency, though but few of them have not been elevated or dislocated.
+Mountainous countries exhibit this action most strikingly. There it is
+shown sometimes on a magnificent scale. Entire mountains in the Alps, for
+instance, appear not only to have been lifted up from the ocean's depths,
+but to have been actually thrown over, so as to bring the lowest and
+oldest rocks at the top of the series. The extensive range of mountains in
+this country, commencing in Canada, and embracing the Green Mountains of
+Vermont, the Highlands of New York, and most of the Alleghany chain as far
+as Alabama, a distance of some twelve hundred miles, has also been lifted
+up, and some of the strata, by a lateral force, folded together, and then
+thrown over, so as now to occupy an inverted position. Let us now see
+wherein this agency exhibits benevolence.
+
+If these strata had remained horizontal, as they were originally
+deposited, it is obvious that all the valuable ores, minerals, and rocks,
+which man could not have discovered by direct excavation, must have
+remained forever unknown to him. Now, man has very seldom penetrated the
+rocks below the depth of half a mile, and rarely so deep as that; whereas,
+by the elevations, dislocations, and overturnings that have been
+described, he obtains access to all deposits of useful substances that lie
+within fifteen or twenty miles of the surface; and many are thus probably
+brought to light from a greater depth. He is indebted, then, to this
+disturbing agency for nearly all the useful metals, coal, rock salt,
+marble, gypsum, and other useful minerals; and when we consider how
+necessary these substances are to civilized society, who will doubt that
+it was a striking act of benevolence which thus introduced disturbance,
+dislocation, and apparent ruin into the earth's crust?
+
+Another decided advantage resulting from this disturbing agency is the
+formation of valleys.
+
+If we suppose the strata spread uniformly over the earth's entire surface,
+then the ocean must envelop the whole globe. But, admitting such
+interruptions in the strata to exist as would leave cavities, where the
+waters might be gathered together into one place, and the dry land appear,
+still that dry land must form only an unbroken level. Streams of water
+could not exist on such a continent, because they depend upon inequalities
+of surface; and whatever water existed must have formed only stagnant
+ponds, and the morasses which would be the consequence would load the air
+with miasms fatal to life; so that we may safely pronounce the world
+uninhabitable by natures adapted to the present earth. But such,
+essentially, must have been the state of things, had not internal forces
+elevated and fractured the earth's crust. For that was the origin of most
+of our valleys--of all the larger valleys, indeed, which checker the
+surface of primary countries. Most of them have been modified by
+subsequent agencies; but their leading features, their outlines, have been
+the result of those internal disturbances which spread desolation over the
+surface. We are apt to look upon such an agency as an exhibition of
+retributive justice, rather than of benevolence. And yet that admirable
+system for the circulation of water, whereby the rain that falls upon the
+surface is conveyed to the ocean, whence it is returned by evaporation,
+depends upon it. It imparts, to all organic nature, life, health, and
+activity; and had it not thus ridged up the surface, stagnation and death
+must have reigned over all the earth. In the unhealthiness of low, flat
+countries, at present, we see the terrible condition of things in a world
+without valleys. Can we doubt, then, that it was the hand of benevolence
+that drove the ploughshare of ruin through the earth's crust, and ridged
+up its surface into a thousand fantastic forms?
+
+It will more deeply impress us with this benevolence to remember that most
+of the sublime and the beautiful in the scenery of a country depends upon
+this disturbing agency. Beautiful as vegetable nature is, how tame is a
+landscape where only a dead level is covered with it, and no swelling
+hills, or jutting rocks, or murmuring waters, relieve the monotonous
+scene! And how does the interest increase with the wildness and ruggedness
+of the surface, and reach its maximum only where the disturbance and
+dislocation have been most violent!
+
+Some may, perhaps, doubt whether it can have been one of the objects of
+divine benevolence and wisdom, in arranging the surface of this world, so
+to construct and adorn it as to gratify a taste for fine scenery. But I
+cannot doubt it. I see not else why nature every where is fitted up in a
+lavish manner with all the elements of the sublime and beautiful, nor why
+there are powers in the human soul so intensely gratified in contact with
+those elements, unless they were expressly adapted for one another by the
+Creator. Surely natural scenery does afford to the unsophisticated soul
+one of the richest and purest sources of enjoyment to be found on earth.
+If this be doubted by any one, it must be because he has never been placed
+in circumstances to call into exercise his natural love of the beautiful
+and the sublime in creation. Let me persuade such a one, at least in
+imagination, to break away from the slavish routine of business or
+pleasure, and in the height of balmy summer to accompany me to a few
+spots, where his soul will swell with new and strong emotions, if his
+natural sensibilities to the grand and beautiful have not become
+thoroughly dead within him.
+
+We might profitably pause for a moment at this enchanting season of the
+year, (June,) and look abroad from that gentle elevation on which we
+dwell, now all mantled over with a flowery carpet, wafting its balmy odors
+into our studies. Can any thing be more delightful than the waving
+forests, with their dense and deep green foliage, interspersed with grassy
+and sunny fields and murmuring streamlets, which spread all around us? How
+rich the graceful slopes of yonder distant mountains, which bound the
+Connecticut on either side! How imposing Mount Sugar Loaf on the north,
+with its red-belted and green-tufted crown, and Mettawampe too, with its
+rocky terraces on the one side, and its broad slopes of unbroken forest on
+the other! Especially, how beautifully and even majestically does the
+indented summit of Mount Holyoke repose against the summer sky! What
+sunrises and sunsets do we here witness, and what a multitude of
+permutations and combinations pass before us during the day, as we watch
+from hour to hour one of the loveliest landscapes of New England!
+
+Let us now turn our steps to that huge pile of mountains called the White
+Hills of New Hampshire. We will approach them through the valley of the
+Saco River, and at the distance of thirty miles they will be seen looming
+up in the horizon, with the clouds reposing beneath their naked heads. As
+the observer approaches them, the sides of the valley will gradually close
+in upon him, and rise higher and higher, until he will find their naked
+granitic summits almost jutting over his path, to the height of several
+thousand feet, seeming to form the very battlements of heaven. Now and
+then will he see the cataract leaping hundreds of feet down their sides,
+and the naked path of some recent landslip, which carried death and
+desolation in its track. From this deep and wild chasm he will at length
+emerge, and climb the vast ridge, until he has seen the forest trees
+dwindle, and at length disappear; and standing upon the naked summit,
+immensity seems stretched out before him. But he has not yet reached the
+highest point; and far in the distance, and far above him, Mount
+Washington seems to repose in awful majesty against the heavens. Turning
+his course thither, he follows the narrow and naked ridge over one peak
+after another, first rising upon Mount Pleasant, then Mount Franklin, and
+then Mount Monroe, each lifting him higher, and making the sea of
+mountains around him more wide and billowy, and the yawning gulfs on
+either side more profound and awful, so that every moment his interest
+deepens, and reaches not its climax till he stands upon Mount Washington,
+when the vast panorama is completed, and the world seems spread out at his
+feet. Yet it does not seem to be a peopled world, for no mighty city lies
+beneath him. Indeed, were it there, he would pass it almost unnoticed. For
+why should he regard so small an object as a city, when the world is
+before him?--a world of mountains, bearing the impress of God's own hand,
+standing in solitary grandeur, just as he piled them up in primeval ages,
+and stretching away on every side as far as the eye can reach. On that
+pinnacle of the northern regions no sound of man or beast breaks in upon
+the awful stillness which reigns there, and which seems to bring the soul
+into near communion with the Deity. It is, indeed, the impressive Sabbath
+of nature; and the soul feels a delightful awe, which can never be
+forgotten. Gladly would it linger there for hours, and converse with the
+mighty and the holy thoughts which come crowding into it; and it is only
+when the man looks at the rapidly declining sun that he is roused from his
+revery and commences his descending march.
+
+Let such a man next accompany me to Niagara. We will pass by all minor
+cataracts, and place ourselves at once on the margin of one that knows no
+rival. Let not the man take a hasty glance, and in disappointment conclude
+that he shall find no interest and no sublimity there. Let him go to the
+edge of the precipice, and watch the deep waters as they roll over, and,
+changing their sea-green brightness for a fleecy white, pour down upon the
+rocks beneath, and dash back again in spray high in the air. Let him go to
+the foot of the sheet, and look upward till the cataract swells into its
+proper size. Let him, on the Canada shore, take in the whole breadth of
+the cataract at once; and as he stands musing, let him listen to the deep
+thunderings of the falling sheet. Let him go to Table Rock, and creep
+forward to its jutting edge, and gaze steadily into the foaming and
+eddying waters so far beneath him, until his nerves thrill and vibrate,
+and he involuntarily shrinks back, exclaiming,--
+
+                      "How dreadful
+  And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
+                       I'll look no more,
+  Lest my brain turn."
+
+Next, let him stand upon that rock till the sun approaches so near the
+western horizon that a glorious bow, forming an almost entire circle on
+the cataract and the spray, shall clothe the scene with unearthly beauty,
+and, in connection with the emerald green of the waters, give it a
+brilliancy fully equal to its sublimity. And finally, if he would add the
+emotions of moral to natural sublimity, let him follow to Ontario, the
+deep gulf through which all these waters flow, and, gathering up the
+evidence, which he will find too strong to resist, that they themselves
+have worn that gulf backward seven miles, let him try the rules of
+geological arithmetic to see if he can reach the period of its
+commencement. Surely, when he reviews the emotions of that day, he will
+never again doubt that the magnificent scenery of our world is the result
+of benevolent design on the part of the Creator.
+
+If, now, we cross the Atlantic, we shall easily find scenes of natural
+beauty and sublimity, that have long elicited the wonder and delight of
+thousands of genuine taste. Shall we turn our steps first to the valleys
+and mountains of Wales? To an American eye, indeed, they lack one
+important feature, in being so destitute of trees. But then their wild
+aspect, their ragged and rocky outlines, present a picture of the
+sublimity of desolation rarely equalled. And as you ascend the
+mountains,--Snowdon, for instance, the highest of them all,--you find
+their summits, not rounded, as our American mountains, by former drift
+agency, nor forming continuous ridges, but shooting up in ragged peaks and
+edges, as if they formed the teeth of mother earth; although, in fact, it
+was the tooth of time that has gnawed them into their present forms. As
+you approach the summit, you feel animated in anticipation of the splendid
+prospect about to open upon you. But the clouds begin to gather, and soon
+envelop the mountain top; and though you reach the pinnacle, the dense
+mist limits your vision to a circle of a few rods in diameter. But ere
+long the vapor begins to break away, and the lofty cliffs and deep caverns
+around you are revealed. Now and then, the lake, so often found in the
+recesses of these mountains, is half seen through the opening cloud, and,
+magnified by the obscurity, it seems more distant and grand than if
+distinctly visible. Gradually the clouds open in various directions,
+disclosing gulf after gulf, lake after lake, mountain after mountain, and,
+finally, the Irish Channel, dotted with sails; and the whole scene lies
+spread out before you in glories that cannot be described. You are
+standing upon the pinnacle of England, and you feel as if almost the whole
+of it lay within the circle of vision. After enjoying so splendid a scene,
+you are thankful that the cloud hid it at first from your sight, and so
+much enhanced your pleasure by opening vista after vista, till the whole
+became one magnificent circle of picturesque beauty and sublimity.[14]
+
+To relieve the mind after gazing long on such scenes of rugged grandeur,
+let us turn our course southerly, and follow down the romantic banks of
+the Wye, where every turn presents some new beauties, occasionally
+disclosing the ruins of some old castle, or magnificent abbey, (Tinton,)
+and at length Bristol, with its aristocratic adjunct, Clifton, turns your
+thoughts from the works of nature to those of man. And yet, even Clifton's
+elegant Crescent is but a meagre show by the side of the magnificent gorge
+which the Avon has cut in the rocks just before it enters Bristol Channel.
+
+Passing over to the Isle of Wight, and traversing its shores, we shall
+witness many unique examples of natural beauty, swelling sometimes into
+sublimity,--such are the chalk cliffs near its western extremity, from two
+hundred to six hundred feet high,--sometimes hollowed out into magnificent
+domes, and the pillars of chalk, called _Needles_, in the midst of the
+sea, alive with sea gulls and cormorants, and forming the remnants of the
+chalk bridge that once united the island to England. There, too, Alum Bay,
+with its many-colored strata of clay, unites the interesting in geology
+with the picturesque in scenery.
+
+Along the southern coast, also, are the stupendous cliffs and the romantic
+under-cliffs, as well as the ragged _chines_, where an almost tropical
+climate attracts the invalid, while the cool sea breezes draw thither the
+wealthy and the fashionable.
+
+But if sublime scenery pleases us more, we must traverse the Highlands of
+Scotland,--
+
+  "Land of brown heath and shaggy furze,"
+
+land of lofty and naked mountains, embosoming lakes of great beauty, and
+full of historic and poetic interest.
+
+Passing over Loch Lomond, the queen of Scottish lakes, you go through the
+long shadow of Ben Lomond, propped by many lesser mountains. Rising into
+the Highlands, the sterility and wildness increase, and reach their
+maximum in Glencoe, whose wildness and sublimity are indeed indescribable;
+but if seen, they can never be forgotten. Still farther north, Ben Nevis
+lifts its uncovered head above all other mountains in the British Isles;
+so high, indeed, that often, during the whole summer, it retains a portion
+of its snowy, wintry mantle.
+
+Yet farther north, we come to the unique terraces, called the _Parallel
+Roads of Glen Roy_, formerly supposed to be the work of giants; but now,
+that they are known to be the product of nature, proving not only objects
+of great scenographical interest, but a problem of special importance and
+difficulty in geology.
+
+If we should pass from Scotland to the north-east part of Ireland, taking
+Staffa in our way, we should find in the basaltic columns of Fingal's
+Cave, and the Giant's Causeway, what seems, at first view, to be
+stupendous human structures, or rather the architecture of giants. But you
+soon find it to be only an example--
+
+  "Where nature works as if defying art,
+  And, in defiance of her rival powers,
+  By these fortuitous and random strokes,
+  Performing such inimitable feats,
+  As she, with all her rules, can never reach."
+
+Let any one sail along the coast for a few miles at the Giant's Causeway,
+enter some of the deep and echoing caverns, overhung by the basaltic mass,
+and see the columns rising tier above tier, sometimes four hundred feet in
+height, and assuming every wild and fantastic shape; or let him walk over
+the acres of columns, whose tops are as perfectly polygonal and as
+accurately fitted to one another as the most skilful architect could make
+them, and he will confess how superior Nature is, when she would present a
+model for human imitation; and how with accurate system she can combine
+the wildest disorder, and thus delight by symmetry, while she awes by
+sublimity.
+
+Let us next pass over to continental Europe. We have reached the Rhine at
+Bonn, and the steamboat takes us at once into the midst of the romantic
+Drachenfels, or seven mountains, the result of volcanic agency, and still
+presenting more or less of the conical outline peculiar almost to modern
+volcanoes. These are the commencement of the romantic scenery of the
+Rhine. From thence to Bingen, some sixty or seventy miles, that river has
+cut its way through hills and mountains, sometimes rising one thousand
+feet. Along their base, the inhabitants have planted many a well-known
+town, while old castles, half crumbled down, recall continually the
+history of feudal ages; and here, too, springs up a multitude of
+remembrances of startling events in more recent times. The mind, indeed,
+finds itself drawn at one moment to some historical monument, and the next
+to scenery of surpassing beauty or sublimity; now the bold, overhanging
+rock, now the deep recess, now the towering mountain, now the quiet dell
+with its romantic villages; while every where on the north bank, the
+vine-clad terraces show us what wonders human industry can accomplish.
+
+Nor does the Rhine lose its interest when we have emerged from its _Ghor_
+into its more open valley, from Bingen to Basle, in Switzerland. On its
+right bank, the Vosges Mountains, and on its left, the Black Forest, with
+not infrequent volcanic summits, afford a fine resting-place for the eye,
+as the rail car bears us rapidly over the rich intervening level. Or if we
+turn aside,--as to Heidelberg, on the Neckar,--what can be a more splendid
+sight than to stand by the old castle above the town, and look down the
+valley as the sun is sinking in the west!
+
+But after all, it is in Switzerland, and there only, that we meet with the
+climax of scenographical wonders. Nowhere else can we find such lakes in
+the midst of such mountains; such pleasant valleys bordered by such
+stupendous hills; such gorges, and precipices, and passes, and especially
+such glaciers; such avalanches, such snow-capped mountains, while
+vegetation at their base, and far up their sides, is fresh and luxuriant.
+
+Embark, for instance, at Zurich, and, crossing its beautiful lake, direct
+your course towards Mount Righi. As the heavy diligence lifts you above
+the lake, you begin to catch glimpses of the grandeur of the Swiss
+mountains to the south, piercing the clouds far off. Passing the romantic
+Zug, you come to the valley between the Rossberg and the Righi, and the
+denuded face of the former tells you whence came the mass of ruins over
+which you clamber, and which buried the villages of Goldau, Bussingen, and
+Rothen several hundred feet deep with blocks of stone and soil. Long and
+steep is your ascent of Righi, nearly six thousand feet above the sea. But
+the views you obtain by the way become wider and grander at every step.
+Reaching the summit near sunset, you may be gratified by a panoramic view
+of a large part of Switzerland, embracing its wildest and grandest
+scenery. Yet, if the clouds prevent, you wait for the morning, in the hope
+of being more fortunate. With the earliest dawn you awake, and proceed to
+the summit of the mountain, where hundreds, perhaps, from all civilized
+lands, are congregated, to witness the rising of the sun. But a dense
+cloud envelops the mountain, and hope almost dies within you. Wait,
+however, a few moments, and the rising sun will depress the clouds below
+the mountain's summit, and a scene of glory shall open upon you, which can
+never be erased from your memory. Look now, for the sun's first rays have
+shed a flood of glory over the clouds which now fill the valleys beneath
+your feet. A fleecy white predominates; but the colors of the prism tinge
+the edges of the clouds, and no part of the solid earth rises above them,
+save the pinnacle on which you stand, and to the south the higher peaks of
+the Bernese Alps,--the Jungfrau, the Eiger, the Shreckhorn, and the
+Wetterhorn,--covered with snow and glaciers, and seeming too pure to
+belong to earth. Indeed, the whole scene seemed to me to be unearthly; the
+fittest emblem that my eyes ever rested upon of celestial scenes; and one
+cannot repress the desire, when looking upon it, to be borne away on wings
+over the glorious scene, and to repose for a time upon the gorgeous bed,
+forgetful of the lower world. Yet when, at length, the clouds begin to
+break away, and disclose the deep valleys and blue lakes,--places made
+immortal by the deeds of such patriots and reformers as Tell and
+Zuinglius,--we feel again the attractions of earth; and as we descend to
+Lake Lucerne, we have before us such scenery as scarcely any other part of
+the world can furnish. And these scenes continue, in ever-changing
+aspects, wherever we wander along this enchanting lake; and though the
+exhausted brain fails at length, the objects of interest do not.
+
+From this lake we might turn our course easterly, and soon find ourselves
+amid the glacial regions of the Oberland Alps--scenes full of deep and
+thrilling interest. But let us rather turn southerly, and, following down
+the great valley of Switzerland, find our way among the Alps of Savoy,
+where the same phenomena attain their maximum of interest and sublimity,
+and the great monarch of the Alps is seen, wearing his hoary crown. As we
+pass along towards Lake Lehman, if the air be clear, the Bernese Alps loom
+up in unrivalled majesty; and as we sail over Lake Lehman, Mont Blanc,
+with some of its nearly equal associates, shows its distant yet impressive
+form. Passing without notice the almost unrivalled beauties of Lehman, and
+following up the Arve through its stupendous gorges, we catch views of
+Mont Blanc, as we approach it, that possess overpowering sublimity. At
+length, Chamouny is reached--a lovely vale in the midst of Alpine wonders.
+From thence we first ascend the Flegere, thirty-five hundred feet above
+the valley, and sixty-five hundred above the ocean; and there we get a
+fine view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles, or Needles. Here distances are
+vastly diminished to the eye, and you seem in near proximity even with
+Mont Blanc; and, in fact, should any adventurous visitors have reached
+the top of that mountain, a good spy-glass will show them from this
+spot.[15]
+
+On the opposite side of the valley from the Flegere, and at about the same
+height, is Montanvert, the most convenient spot for traversing the glacier
+called the Mer de Glace. If, however, one would see the lower extremity of
+that glacier, and the Arveron issuing from it, he must pass along the
+right hand side of the stream, and then he can follow up the glacier to
+Montanvert; and strange would it be if, in doing this, he should not hear
+and see the frequent avalanche.
+
+We have now reached the field where everlasting war is carried on between
+heat and cold, summer and winter. Below us, verdure clothes the valleys,
+and climbs up the slopes of the hills; and there the shepherd watches his
+flocks. Above us there are fields of ice stretching many a league, save
+where some needle-shaped summit of naked rock, too steep for snow to rest
+upon, shoots up in lonely grandeur thousands of feet, and defies the
+raging elements. From these oceans of ice shoot forth down the valleys
+enormous glaciers, appearing like vast rivers of ice, winding among the
+hills, and pushing, at the rate of a few inches each day, far into
+regions of vegetation; one year encroaching upon the shepherd's pasture
+ground, and anon, by the access of heat, driven back towards the summit;
+hurling down, from time to time, as they push forward, the thundering
+avalanche.
+
+Without difficulty at Montanvert we can enter upon the glacier, and in
+spite of the deep _crevasse_, and the elemental war, which always rages in
+those lofty regions, we may make our way to their source. Nay, human feet,
+as already suggested, have pressed even the top of Mont Blanc; and should
+we reach this summit of the Alps, we should stand upon the loftiest point
+of Europe, and behold a scene which but few eyes ever have, or ever will,
+rest upon. We should
+
+                                    "breathe
+  The difficult air of the iced mountain's top,
+  Where the birds dare not build, nor insect's wing
+  Flit o'er the herbless granite."
+
+We should, in fact, have reached the climax of the sublime in natural
+scenery.
+
+Thus far I have described, almost without exception, only what I have
+seen. But let us now venture into regions where we have only the
+description of others to guide us. Let us enter the region of ancient
+Armenia, a country composed of wide plains, bounded and intersected by
+precipitous mountains. As we journeyed south-easterly over one of these
+plains, a remarkable conical summit would arrest our attention, at the
+distance of sixty miles. Day after day, as we approached, it would creep
+up higher and higher above the horizon, developing its commanding
+features, and rivetting more intensely the attention upon it. As we came
+near its base, we should see that its top rose far into the region of
+eternal ice, whose glassy surface would reflect the light like a mirror,
+and whose lower edge had shot forth enormous glaciers as far as the heat
+would allow them to descend. In the plain below, we should be sweltering
+in a tropical heat; but the same sun that melted us would make no
+impression upon the wintry crown of the mountain. We could not keep our
+eyes or thoughts turned away from an object so sublime. And it would
+deepen the impression to learn that this gigantic cone, shooting up three
+and a half miles, was once a volcano; and still more would it deepen our
+interest to learn that this is the mountain which universal tradition in
+that region regards as the Mount Ararat, the resting-place of the ark. It
+would strike us forcibly to realize that what seems to us now to be a
+pillar of heaven, was the patriarch's stepping-stone from the antediluvian
+into the postdiluvian world.
+
+One more example may suffice. Go with me to the Sandwich Islands, and we
+shall get an impressive glimpse of the principal agency by which the
+earth's crust has been ridged, furrowed, and dislocated. As we land upon
+Hawaii, we perceive it to be composed mainly of lava of no very ancient
+date. We ascend a lofty _plateau_, and many a league in advance of us we
+see a column of smoke rising from a vast plain. Directing our course
+thither, while yet some miles from it, we descend a steep slope to a broad
+terrace, and then another slope to a second terrace. These slopes and
+terraces extend circularly around the pillar of smoke like the seats of a
+vast amphitheatre.
+
+Coming near to this column, our steps are arrested on the margin of a vast
+gulf, fifteen hundred feet deep, and from eight to ten miles in
+circumference, whose bottom is the seat of the most remarkable volcano on
+the globe;--I mean Kilauea. Wait here till night closes around us, and we
+shall witness a scene of awful sublimity. Over the immense area of that
+gulf will the volcanic agency beneath be exerted. Ever and anon, and
+mingling in strange discord, will hissings and groanings, mutterings and
+thunderings, be heard rolling from side to side, and making the earth
+tremble around. Then from one and another volcanic cone--perhaps from
+fifty--will the glowing lava burst forth; red-hot stones will be driven
+furiously upward; vapor, and smoke, and flames will be poured out, and the
+dark and jagged sides of that vast furnace will glow with unearthly
+splendor; and here and there will lakes of liquid lava appear, one or two
+miles in extent, heaving up their billows, and dashing their fiery spray
+high into the air. O, there is not on earth a livelier emblem of the world
+of despair; and yet we know it is not the lake which burneth with fire and
+brimstone, nor the abode of lost spirits. We know it to be only one of the
+safety-valves of our globe, and an exhibition of that mighty agency within
+the globe which has heaved and dislocated its crust; and, therefore, as we
+gaze upon the scene, and forget our fatigue and sleep, we experience only
+the emotions of awful sublimity, which can hardly fail to rise into
+adoration of that infinite Being who can say, even to this agency, Thus
+far shalt thou go, and no farther.
+
+These are samples only of those delightful emotions which he experiences,
+who possesses a taste for natural scenery. And kindred emotions will be
+awakened within him, wherever he wanders among the works of God. They form
+some of the purest and most satisfying pleasures which this world affords.
+They constitute pleasant oases along the dreary journey of life; and so
+deeply does memory engrave them on her tablet, that no change of time or
+circumstances can hide them from our view. Now, it is obvious that if the
+Author of nature and of the human soul had been malevolent, instead of
+making every thing which man meets in creation "beauty to his eye, and
+music to his ear," he would have made all offensive and painful. Instead
+of the delightful emotions of beauty and sublimity which now rise within
+us as we open our eyes upon nature, feelings of aversion and fear would
+haunt us. Every sound would have been discordant, and every sight
+terrific. He could not have been even indifferent to our happiness, when
+he commissioned those desolating agencies of nature, fire and water, to
+ridge up and furrow out the earth's surface as the groundwork of the
+future landscape. For he has taken care that the result should be a scene
+productive of pleasure only to the soul that is in a healthy state.
+Benevolence only, infinite benevolence, could have done this.
+
+_My third argument in favor of the divine benevolence is founded on the
+arrangements for the distribution of water on the globe._
+
+We should expect on so uneven a surface as the earth presents, that this
+element, which forms the liquid nourishment of all organic life, and which
+in many other ways seems indispensable, must be very unequally
+distributed, and fail entirely in many places; and yet we find it in
+almost every spot where man erects his habitation. And those places where
+there is a deficiency are usually extended plains; not, as we should
+expect, the mountainous regions. The latter are usually well watered; and
+this is accomplished in three ways. In the first place, in most
+mountainous countries, the strata are so much tilted up, as to prevent the
+water from running off. In the second place, the pervious strata are
+frequently interrupted by faults sometimes filled by impervious matter. In
+the third place, the comminuted materials that cover the rocks as soils,
+are often so fine, or of such a nature, as to prevent the passage of
+water; and thus much of the water that falls upon elevated land remains
+there, while enough percolates through the pervious materials to water the
+valleys and supply the streams. These carry it to the lakes and the ocean,
+where it is returned by evaporation in the form of clouds, and thus an
+admirable system of circulation is kept up, whereby this essential element
+is purified, and conveyed to every part of the surface where man or beast
+require it.
+
+There is one recent discovery, which deserves notice here, because it
+depends upon the geological structure of the earth. When pervious and
+impervious strata alternate, and are considerably inclined, water may be
+brought from great depths by hydrostatic pressure, if the impervious
+stratum be bored through and the water-bearing deposit be reached. A
+perpetual fountain may thus be produced, and water be obtained in a region
+naturally deficient in it. An Artesian fountain of this description, in
+the suburbs of Paris, has been brought from the enormous depth of eighteen
+hundred feet![16]
+
+Now, just consider that to deprive the earth of water is to deprive it of
+inhabitants, and you cannot but see in the means by which it is so widely,
+nay, almost universally, diffused, and made to circulate for
+purification,--the most decided marks of divine benevolence. Why is it not
+as striking as the curious means by which the blood and the sap of animals
+and plants are sent to every part of the system to supply its waste, and
+give it greater development?
+
+_I derive a fourth geological argument for the benevolence of the Deity,
+from the manner in which the metallic ores are distributed through the
+earth's crust._
+
+It can hardly be doubted, by the geologist, that nearly every part of the
+earth's crust, and its interior too, have been some time or other in a
+melted state. Now, as the metals and their ores are usually heavier than
+other rocks, we should expect that they would have accumulated at the
+centre of the globe, and have been enveloped by the rocks so as to have
+been forever inaccessible to man. And the very great weight of the central
+parts of the earth--almost twice that of granite--leads naturally to the
+conclusion that the heavier metals may be accumulated there, though this
+is by no means a certain conclusion; since at the depth of thirty-four
+miles air would be so condensed by the pressure of the superincumbent mass
+as to be as heavy as water; water at the depth of three hundred and
+sixty-two miles would become as heavy as quick-silver; and at the centre
+steel would be compressed into one fourth, and stone into one eighth, of
+its bulk at the surface. Still it is most probable that the materials
+naturally the heaviest would first seek the centre. And yet, by means of
+sublimation, and expansion by internal heat, or the segregating power of
+galvanic action, or of some other agents, enough of the metals is
+protruded towards the surface, and diffused through the rocks in beds, or
+veins, so as to be accessible to human industry. Here, then, we find
+divine benevolence, apparently in opposition to gravity, providing for
+human comfort.
+
+I have said that these metals were accessible to human industry. And it
+does require a great deal of labor, and calls into exercise man's highest
+ingenuity to obtain them. They might have been spread in immense masses
+over the surface; they might all have been reduced to a metallic state in
+the great furnace, which we have reason to suppose is always in blast,
+within the earth. But then there would have been no requisition upon the
+exertion and energy of man. And to have these called into exercise is an
+object of greater importance to society than to supply it with the metals.
+God, therefore, has so distributed the ores as to stimulate man to explore
+and reduce them, while he has placed so many difficulties in the way as to
+demand much mental and physical effort for their removal. Man now,
+therefore, receives a double benefit. While the metals themselves are of
+immense service, the discipline of body and mind requisite for obtaining
+them is of still greater value. This is the combined result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence.
+
+If I mistake not, there is such a relation between the amount of useful
+metals and the wants of society as could have resulted only from divine
+benevolence. The metal most widely diffused, and the only one occurring in
+all the rock formations, from the oldest to the newest, is iron;--the
+metal by far the most important to civilized society. This is also by far
+the most abundant, and easily obtained. It often forms extensive beds, or
+even mountain masses upon the surface. All the other metals are confined
+almost exclusively to the older rocks. Among them, lead, copper, and zinc
+are probably most needed, and accordingly they are next in quantity and in
+the facility with which they may be explored. Manganese, mercury, chrome,
+antimony, cobalt, arsenic, and bismuth are more difficult to obtain; but
+the supply is always equal to the demand. In the case of tin, silver,
+platinum, and gold, we find some interesting properties to compensate in a
+great measure for their scarcity. Gold and platinum possess a remarkable
+power of resisting those powerful agents of chemical change which destroy
+every thing else. They are never oxidized in the earth, and with a very
+few exceptions, the most powerful reagents leave them untouched, while
+platinum will not yield in the most powerful heat of the furnace. Gold,
+silver, and tin are capable of an astonishing extension, whereby they may
+be spread over the surface of the more abundant metals to protect and
+adorn them; and since the discovery of the galvanic mode of accomplishing
+this, so easily is it done, that I know not but a gold or silver surface
+is to become as common as metallic articles.
+
+_My fifth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the joint and desolating effects of ice and water upon the earth's
+surface, both before and after man's creation._
+
+In northern countries, and perhaps in high southern latitudes, it seems
+that after the deposition of the tertiary rocks, and after the surface had
+assumed essentially its present shape, it was subjected for a long time to
+a powerful agency, whereby the rough and salient parts were worn down and
+rounded, the rocks in place smoothed and furrowed, valleys scooped out,
+huge blocks of stone transported far from the parent bed, piled up, and
+thick accumulations of bowlders, sand, and gravel, strewn promiscuously
+over the surface. At the commencement of this process, the ocean, probably
+loaded with ice, stood above a large part of the present continents. It
+soon began to subside, or the land to rise, and a more quiet action
+succeeded. The joint action of the ocean and the glaciers on the land
+ground down into sand, clay, and loam, the coarser drift, and sorted it in
+the form of beaches, terraces, and alluvial deposits. All this while, both
+the land and the water seem to have been, for the most part, destitute of
+inhabitants. But these were the very processes needed for man and his
+contemporary races, who were to appear during the latter part of the
+pleistocene period. In other words, the soils were thus got ready for
+nourishing the vegetation necessary to sustain the new creation, which
+would convert these desolate and deserted sea-beds into regions of
+fertility and happiness to teeming millions.
+
+Now, just consider what must have been the effect of these mighty aqueous
+and glacial agencies upon the earth's surface. Over the level regions they
+strewed the finer materials; and where the rocks had been thrown up into
+ridges and displaced by numerous fissures, or subsequently worn into
+bluffs and precipices by the ocean, it needed just such an agency to
+smooth down those irregularities, to fill up those gulfs, to give to the
+hills and valleys a graceful outline, and to cover all the surface with
+those comminuted materials that would need only cultivation to make them a
+fertile soil. Some rocks do, indeed, decompose and form soils; but this
+process would be too slow, unless in moist and warm regions, where it is
+easier to find a footing for plants than in climes more uncongenial to
+their growth. We cannot then hesitate to regard this tremendous agency of
+ice and water in northern and high southern regions as decidedly
+beneficial in its influence. It must, indeed, have spread terrible
+destruction over those regions. But it seems that a time was chosen for
+its operation when the globe was almost destitute of organic life, and not
+long before the time when a new and nobler creation than those previously
+occupying the earth was to be placed upon it. Desolating as this agency
+must have appeared, and actually was, at the time, yet who can doubt, when
+we see the ultimate fruits of it, that its origin was divine benevolence?
+
+In the ultimate results of aqueous inundations at the present day, we can
+trace the same benevolent design. Those floods do, indeed, produce partial
+evils; nay, life, as well as property, often falls a prey to them. But
+they produce those alluvial soils which are more prolific of vegetation
+than any other on the globe. Who has not heard of the fertility of the
+banks of the Nile, the Niger, the Ganges, the Amazon, and the Mississippi?
+all of them the fruit of inundations. Truly, such floods as these may be
+said _to clap their hands_ in praise of the divine goodness.
+
+_My sixth geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the existence of volcanoes._
+
+The first impression made on the mind by the history of volcanic action
+is, that its effects are examples rather of vindictive justice than of
+benevolence. And such is the light in which they are regarded by Mr.
+Gisborne, an able English divine, in his "Testimony of Natural to Revealed
+Religion." He looks, indeed, upon all the disturbances that have taken
+place in the earth's crust as evidence of a fallen condition of the world,
+as mementoes of a former penal infliction upon a guilty race. And aside
+from the light which geology casts upon the subject, this would be a not
+improbable conclusion. Take for an example the case of volcanoes and
+earthquakes.
+
+A volcano is an opening made in the earth's crust by internal heat, which
+has forced melted or heated matter through the vent. An earthquake is the
+effect of the confined gases and vapors, produced by the heat upon the
+crust. When the volcano, therefore, gets vent, the earthquake always
+ceases. But the latter has generally been more destructive of life and
+property than the former. Where one city has been destroyed by lava, like
+Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Stabiae, twenty have been shaken down by the
+rocking and heaving of earthquakes. The records of ancient as well as
+modern times abound with examples of these tremendous catastrophes.
+Preeminent on the list is the city of Antioch. Imagine the inhabitants of
+that great city, crowded with strangers on a festival occasion, suddenly
+arrested on a calm day, by the earth heaving and rocking beneath their
+feet; and in a few moments two hundred and fifty thousand of them are
+buried by falling houses, or the earth opening and swallowing them up.
+Such was the scene which that city presented in the year 526; and several
+times before and since that period has the like calamity fallen upon it;
+and twenty, forty, and sixty thousand of its inhabitants have been
+destroyed at each time. In the year 17 after Christ, no less than thirteen
+cities of Asia Minor were in like manner overwhelmed in a single night.
+Think of the terrible destruction that came upon Lisbon in 1755. The sun
+had just dissipated the fog in a warm, calm morning, when suddenly the
+subterranean thundering and heaving began; and in six minutes the city was
+a heap of ruins, and sixty thousand of the inhabitants were numbered among
+the dead. Hundreds had crowded upon a new quay surrounded by vessels. In a
+moment the earth opened beneath them, and the wharf, the vessels, and the
+crowd went down into its bosom; the gulf closed, the sea rolled over the
+spot, and no vestige of wharf, vessels, or man ever floated to the
+surface. How thrilling is the account left us by Kircher, who was near, of
+the destruction of Euphemia, in Calabria, a city of about five thousand
+inhabitants, in the year 1638! "After some time," says he, "the violent
+paroxysm of the earthquake ceasing, I stood up, and, turning my eyes to
+look for Euphemia, saw only a frightful black cloud. We waited till it had
+passed away, when nothing but a dismal and putrid lake was to be seen
+where the city once stood." In like manner did Port Royal, in the West
+Indies, sink beneath the waters, with nearly all its inhabitants, in less
+than one minute, in the year 1692.
+
+Still more awful, though usually less destructive, is often the scene
+presented by a volcanic eruption. Imagine yourselves, for instance, upon
+one of the wide, elevated plains of Mexico, far from the fear of
+volcanoes. The earth begins to quake under your feet, and the most
+alarming subterranean noises admonish you of a mighty power within the
+earth that must soon have vent. You flee to the surrounding mountains in
+time to look back and see ten square miles of the plain swell up, like a
+bladder, to the height of five hundred feet, while numerous smaller cones
+rise from the surface still higher, and emit smoke; and in their midst,
+six mountains are thrown up to the height, some of them at least, of
+sixteen hundred feet, and pour forth melted lava, turning rivers out of
+their course, and spreading terrific desolation over a late fertile plain,
+and forever excluding its former inhabitants. Such was the eruption, by
+which Jorullo, in Mexico, was suddenly thrown up, in 1759.
+
+Still more terrific have been some of the eruptions in Iceland. In 1783,
+earthquakes of tremendous power shook the whole island, and flames burst
+forth from the ocean. In June these ceased, and Skaptar Jokul opened its
+mouth; nor did it close till it had poured forth two streams of lava, one
+sixty miles long, twelve miles broad, and the other forty miles long, and
+seven broad, and both with an average thickness of one hundred feet.
+During that summer the inhabitants saw the sun no more, and all Europe was
+covered with a haze.
+
+Around the Papandayang, one of the loftiest mountains in Java, no less
+than forty villages were reposing in peace. But in August, 1772, a
+remarkable luminous cloud enveloping its top aroused them from their
+security. But it was too late. For at once the mountain began to sink into
+the earth, and soon it had disappeared with the forty villages, and most
+of the inhabitants, over a space fifteen miles long and six broad.
+
+Still more extraordinary--the most remarkable on record--was an eruption
+in Sumbawa, one of the Molucca Islands, in 1815. It began on the fifth day
+of April, and did not cease till July. The explosions were heard in one
+direction nine hundred and seventy miles, and in another seven hundred and
+twenty miles. So heavy was the fall of ashes at the distance of forty
+miles that houses were crushed and destroyed. The floating cinders in the
+ocean, hundreds of miles distant, were two feet thick, and vessels were
+forced through them with difficulty. The darkness in Java, three hundred
+miles distant, was deeper than the blackest night; and finally, out of the
+twelve thousand inhabitants of the island, only twenty-six survived the
+catastrophe.
+
+Now, if we confine our views to such facts as these, we can hardly avoid
+the conclusion that earthquakes and volcanoes are terrific exhibitions of
+God's displeasure towards a fallen and guilty world. But if it can be
+shown that the volcanic agency exerts a salutary influence in preserving
+the globe from ruin, nay, is essential to such preservation, we must
+regard its incidental destruction of property and life as no evidence of a
+vindictive infliction, nor of the want of benevolence in its operation.
+And the remarkable proofs which modern geology has presented of vast
+accumulations of heated and melted matter beneath the earth's crust, do
+make such an agent as volcanoes essential to the preservation of the
+globe. In order to make out this position, I shall not contend that all
+the earth's interior, beneath fifty or one hundred miles, is in a state of
+fusion. For even the most able and decided of those geologists who object
+to such an inference, admit that oceans of melted matter do exist beneath
+the surface. And if so, how liable would vast accumulations of heat be, if
+there were no safety-valves through the crust, to rend asunder even a
+whole continent? Volcanoes are those safety-valves, and more than two
+hundred of them are scattered over the earth's surface, forming vent-holes
+into the heated interior. Most of them, indeed, have the valves loaded,
+and the effort of the confined gases and vapors to lift the load produces
+the terrific phenomena of earthquakes and volcanoes. But if no such
+passages into the interior existed, what could prevent the pent-up gases
+from accumulating till they had gained strength enough to rend a whole
+continent, and perhaps the whole globe, into fragments? Is it not, then,
+benevolence by which this agency prevents so dreadful a catastrophe, even
+by means that bring some incidental evils along with them?
+
+Some able writers do, indeed, object to the idea that volcanoes are
+safety-valves to the globe, deriving their objections from certain facts
+respecting the position of volcanic craters in the Sandwich Islands, if I
+do not misrecollect. Without going into the details of that case, for want
+of time and space, it seems to me that the facts respecting the connection
+between earthquakes and volcanoes, admitted by all, will justify such a
+view of the latter as is expressed by the term "safety-valves." For
+earthquakes are but the incipient effects of the volcanic force within the
+globe; and if these effects have been so terrible at the beginning, what
+must be the full exhibition of that force, if not able to find a passage
+for the struggling gases and lava through the strata above them? Who can
+say that it might not rend a continent asunder, and, if deep enough
+seated, even the whole globe?
+
+The question will undoubtedly be asked by every reflecting mind, why
+infinite wisdom and benevolence could not have devised a plan for securing
+the good resulting from volcanoes and earthquakes without the attendant
+evils. The same question meets us at almost every step of our examination
+of the present system of the world. For we every where meet with evil,
+incidentally connected with agencies whose predominant effects are
+beneficial. I incline to the opinion, that the true answer to this
+question is, that the evil is permitted that thereby greater good may be
+secured to the universe. Still the subject of the origin of evil is one
+whose full solution can hardly be expected in the present world, because
+we cannot here master all its elements. When it can be solved, we can tell
+why so much desolation and suffering are permitted to accompany the
+earthquake and the volcano. But if we can show that benefits far
+outweighing the evil are the result of this terrific agency, we gather
+from it decided evidence of the divine benevolence;--the same evidence
+which we gain from any other operations of nature; for in them all there
+is only a preponderance of good, not unmixed good. The desolation of this
+fair world by volcanic agency, and especially the destruction of life, do,
+indeed, teach us that this present system of nature is adapted to a state
+of probation and death, instead of a state of rewards and immortal life.
+It is adapted to sinful and fallen beings, rather than to those who are
+perfect in holiness and in happiness. In short, it is earth, not heaven.
+It is not such a world as heaven must be, to secure unalloyed and eternal
+happiness. Nevertheless, benevolence decidedly predominates in the
+arrangements of the present system, even in the desolating agency under
+consideration. I do not deny that God may sometimes employ this agency, as
+he may every other in nature, for the punishment of the guilty. But before
+we infer that this is the general use and design of volcanoes and
+earthquakes, we should ponder well the questions put by our Savior _to
+some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with
+their sacrifices_. _Suppose ye_, answered the Savior, _that these
+Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such
+things? I tell you nay. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam
+fell and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that
+dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay._ Let us follow the example of Jesus
+Christ, and take a more enlarged view of these startling and distressing
+events. Let us inquire whether they are not the incidental effects of
+agencies essential to the permanence and happiness of the great system of
+the universe. This is certainly the case in regard to volcanoes. We have
+strong reason to believe that they are essential to the preservation of
+the globe; and of how much higher consequence is this than the
+comparatively small amount of property and life which they destroy! If we
+can only rise to these higher views, and not suffer our judgment to be
+warped by the immediate terrors of the earthquake and the volcano, we
+shall see the smile of infinite benevolence where most men see only the
+wrath of an offended Deity.
+
+_My seventh geological argument for the divine benevolence is derived from
+the manner in which coal, rock salt, marble, gypsum, and other valuable
+materials were prepared for the use of man, long before his existence._
+
+If a created and intelligent being from some other sphere had alighted on
+this globe during that remote period when the vegetation now dug out of
+the coal formation covered the surface with its gigantic growth, he might
+have felt as if here was a waste of creative power. Vast forests of
+sigillaria, lepidodendra, coniferae, cycadeae, and tree ferns would have
+waved over his head, with their imposing though sombre foliage, while the
+lesser tribes of calamites and equisetaceae would have filled the
+intervening spaces; but no vertebral animal would have been there to
+enjoy and enliven the almost universal solitude. Why, then, he must have
+inquired, is there such a profusion of vegetable forms, and such a
+colossal development of individual plants? To what use can such vast
+forests be applied? But let ages roll by, and that same being revisit our
+world at the present time. Let him traverse the little Island of Britain,
+and see there fifteen thousand steam engines moved by coal dug out of the
+earth, and produced by these same ancient forests. Let him see these
+engines performing the work of two millions of men, and moving machinery
+which accomplishes what would require the unaided labors of three or four
+hundred millions of men, and he could not doubt but such a result was one
+of the objects of that rank vegetation which covered the earth ere it was
+fit for the residence of such natures as now dwell upon it. Let him go to
+the coal fields of other countries, and especially those of the United
+States, stretching over one hundred and fifty thousand square miles,
+containing a quantity absolutely inexhaustible, and already imparting
+comfort to millions of the inhabitants, and giving life and energy to
+every variety of manufacture through the almost entire length of this
+country, and destined to pour out their wealth through all coming time,
+long after the forests shall all have been levelled,--and irresistible
+must be the conviction upon his mind, that here is a beautiful example of
+prospective benevolence on the part of the Deity. In those remote ages,
+while yet the earth was unfitted for the higher races of animals that now
+dwell upon it, it was eminently adapted to nourish that gigantic flora
+which would produce the future fuel of the human race, when that crown of
+all God's works should be placed upon the earth. Ere that time, those
+forests must sink beneath the ocean, be buried beneath deposits of rock
+thousands of feet thick. But during all that period, all those chemical
+changes which are essential to convert them into coal would be
+accomplished, and, at last, man would find access, by his ingenuity and
+industry, to the deep-seated beds whence his fuel might be drawn. Nor
+would these vast repositories fail him till the consummation of all
+things. Surely there was no waste, but there was a far-reaching plan of
+benevolence in the profusion of vegetable life in the earlier periods of
+our planet.
+
+Essentially the same remark will apply to the limestone, gypsum, rock
+salt, and several other mineral products of the earth, which are almost
+indispensable to man in a civilized state. For these, too, were produced
+by slow processes, during those vast periods of duration that preceded
+man's existence. Limestone has been chiefly elaborated by the organs of
+animals, many of them of microscopic littleness. Yet lofty ranges of
+mountains and immense deposits in the intervening valleys have been the
+result. Nearly one seventh part of the crust of the globe, it has been
+said, is thus constituted of the works or remains of animals. And can we
+doubt but that these rocks are thus spread over the surface of the globe
+because they are needed by all mankind, like air and water? It must have
+been benevolence that so arranged the agencies by which they were
+produced, during the revolution of primeval ages, that they have this wide
+diffusion. Gypsum and fossil salt are more sparingly diffused; but still
+enough is always to be found to meet the demand. Nor is it reasonable to
+doubt that the same prospective goodness which provided for coal and
+limestone, commissioned other agencies to lay up a store of gypsum, salt,
+bitumen, clay, and other substances dug out of the earth for man's
+benefit.
+
+_My eighth geological argument for the divine benevolence is based upon
+the perfect adaptation of the natures of animals and plants to the varying
+condition of the globe through all the periods of its past history._
+
+The very slight changes in climate, situation, and food, that will destroy
+most species of animals and plants, is hard to be realized by man, whose
+nature will sustain very great changes of this kind. So will most of the
+animals and plants that have been domesticated by man, and which accompany
+him into every soil and climate. But the great mass of animals and plants
+would perish by such a transplantation. They are adapted to a particular
+region, often of narrow limits; and to remove them from thence, even to
+one slightly diverse, is to cause their deterioration and final
+destruction. In other words, their natures are exactly adapted to the
+place of habitation assigned them. And it must have required infinite
+wisdom thus to fit the delicate machinery of animal and vegetable
+organization to the great variety of circumstances on the globe in which
+it is placed. But we find that same wisdom to have been manifested in all
+the vast periods of organic life. We have the most unequivocal evidence
+that the condition of the earth has undergone important changes. We cannot
+examine the remarkable flora and fauna of the older rocks, the gigantic
+sauroid fishes, the huge orthoceratites and ammonites, the heteroclitic
+trilobites, and the strange sigillaria and lepidodendra, calamites and
+asterophyllites, the lofty coniferae, and the anomalous cycadeae,--we cannot
+examine these without realizing that a state of the globe very different
+from the present must have existed when they had possession of it. And
+when we contemplate also the enormous saurians and batrachians of the
+middle secondary rocks, and the colossal quadrupeds of the tertiary
+strata, we cannot doubt that a tropical or an ultra-tropical climate must
+have prevailed in high northern latitudes during their existence. We
+perceive that there has been a gradual decrease of temperature on the
+surface from the earliest times. In each successive race of organized
+beings which have been placed on the globe, there must have been,
+therefore, some change of constitution to adapt them to the altered state
+of the climate and productions of the earth. And we find this alteration
+to have been always made with consummate skill, so as to secure the most
+complete development of organic beings, and the greatest enjoyment to
+sensitive natures. Malevolence would not have done this; for it might with
+infinite knowledge at command, have filled each successive period of the
+world with natures unadapted to the mutable condition of things, capable,
+indeed, of a prolonged existence, not to enjoy, but only to suffer. But
+infinite benevolence was fitting up this world by slow secondary agencies
+for the elevated races which now occupy it, especially for one species,
+rational and immortal; and it lavished its kindness and wisdom by filling
+the world, during those preparatory ages, with multitudes of happy beings,
+fitted exactly to each altered condition of the air, the water, and the
+soil.
+
+_My ninth and last geological argument for the divine benevolence is
+founded upon the permanence and security of the world, in spite of the
+mighty changes it has undergone, and the powerful agencies to which it is
+now subject._
+
+When we learn from the records of geology, as they are inscribed upon the
+rocks, how numerous and thorough have been the revolutions of the surface
+and the crust of the globe in past ages; how often and how long the
+present dry land has been alternately above and beneath the ocean; how
+frequently the crust of the globe has been fractured, bent, and
+dislocated,--now lifted upward, and now thrown downward, and now folded
+by lateral pressure; how frequently melted matter has been forced through
+its strata and through its fissures to the surface; in short, how every
+particle of the accessible portions of the globe has undergone entire
+metamorphoses; and especially when we recollect what strong evidence there
+is that oceans of liquid matter exist beneath the solid crust, and that
+probably the whole interior of the earth is in that condition, with
+expansive energy sufficient to rend the globe into fragments,--when we
+review all these facts, we cannot but feel that the condition of the
+surface of the globe must be one of great insecurity and liability to
+change. But it is not so. On the contrary, the present state of the globe
+is one of permanent uniformity and entire security, except those
+comparatively slight catastrophes which result from earthquakes,
+volcanoes, and local deluges. Even the climate has experienced no general
+change within historic times, and the profound mathematical researches of
+Baron Fourier have demonstrated that, even though the internal parts of
+the globe are in an incandescent state, beneath a crust thirty or forty
+miles, the temperature at the surface has long since ceased to be affected
+by the melted central mass; that it is not now more than one seventeenth
+of a degree higher than it would be if the interior were ice; and that
+hundreds of thousands of years will not see it lowered, from this cause,
+more than the seventeenth part of a degree. And as to the apprehension
+that the entire crust of the globe may be broken through, and fall into
+the melted matter beneath, just reflect what solidity and strength there
+must be in a mass of hard rock from fifty to one hundred miles in
+thickness, and your fears of such a catastrophe will probably vanish.
+
+Now, such a uniformity of climate and security from general ruin are
+essential to the comfort and existence of animal nature. But it must have
+required infinite wisdom and benevolence so to arrange and balance the
+mighty elements of change and ruin which exist in the earth, that they
+should hold one another in check, and make the world a quiet, unchanged,
+and secure dwelling-place for so many thousands of years. Surely that
+wisdom must have been guided by infinite benevolence. And it would seem
+from geology that the same union of wisdom and benevolence have always
+arranged the past conditions of the earth. For, during each of the periods
+of organic existence, uniformity and security seem to have prevailed so
+long as the purposes of the Deity required. In early times, indeed, when
+animals were mostly confined to the waters, it was not necessary that the
+dry land should be as exempt as at present from catastrophes; and probably
+they were then more frequent; and it may be that, while there were
+uniformity and security in one portion of the globe, or in one element,
+there might have been disturbance and desolation in others. And it is
+doubtful whether such general quiet has ever prevailed for so long a time
+as during the present, or historic period. We see a reason for this in the
+fact that never before were so many animals in existence, with a structure
+so delicate and complicated.
+
+Such are the evidences of divine benevolence, drawn from a field at first
+view most unpromising. And yet, when we come to look beyond the surface,
+where do we find more decisive or more numerous indications of God's
+beneficence? They are not like many hasty generalizations, which
+superficial examination has often brought from natural phenomena in proof
+of this same truth, but which, although beautiful at first view, must be
+abandoned upon careful research. But these, though repulsive at first,
+gain solidity and beauty by examination. And they are the more interesting
+because they come from an unexpected quarter. Men have been accustomed to
+search among the drift piled up by water and ice, among dislocated and
+rent strata of rocks, among mountains overturned and fields made desolate
+by volcanic eruptions, for the mementoes of penal inflictions; but they
+have not imagined that divine benevolence might be seen among these
+disturbances and desolations; and that simply because they confined their
+views to the immediate effect of geological agencies, and did not enlarge
+their views to take in their connection with the great system of the
+universe. But now that we find the stamp of benevolence even here, we
+learn an instructive lesson. Every reflecting mind is aware that the
+doctrine of divine benevolence lies at the foundation of all natural and
+revealed religion, and that until this be established we labor in vain to
+erect a superstructure. It is well known, also, that the existence of
+natural and moral evil has been considered a strong objection to this
+great truth. Now, geology furnishes us with many examples, in which
+agencies, often fraught with terrific evils, are nevertheless eminently
+beneficial when the whole extent of their operation is taken into account.
+Why is it not a fair inference that, in all other cases where evils stand
+out prominently, they are only incidental results of some wide system of
+operations, of which our limited vision embraces only a part, but whose
+tendencies as a whole are eminently salutary, and whose incidental evils
+do, in fact, increase the salutary effects? If so, what reason have we to
+believe that, when the light of eternity shall clarify our mental eye, and
+enlarge our knowledge of the present system of the universe, we shall find
+all "partial evil to be universal good," and that our narrow views alone
+threw obscurity and difficulty over this subject in this life? O, if even
+here so many rays of divine love find their way into our narrow
+prison-house, what will be their brightness when they pour in upon us from
+the unveiled glories of the heavenly world!
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VII.
+
+DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AS EXHIBITED IN A FALLEN WORLD.
+
+
+The geological proofs of the divine benevolence considered in the last
+lecture present only a partial view of that glorious characteristic of
+Jehovah. I am tempted, therefore, to exhibit it in its more general aspect
+and broader relations. This will necessarily bring into view other
+important religious truths respecting man's fallen condition and
+character, and, as a consequence, the modified aspect of the divine
+goodness in such a world.
+
+To those destitute of a revelation this world has, indeed, ever seemed an
+inextricable maze, an enigma too dark for human wisdom to solve. Nor have
+those favored with the Bible agreed in their modes of clearing up the
+mystery. Having endeavored to explain all by following out some leading
+and favorite idea, their theories have varied as these predominant
+conceptions differed. One, for instance, fixes his gaze so intently upon
+the divine benevolence that he is blind to every manifestation of
+Jehovah's sterner attributes. Another, deeply impressed with the story of
+man's original apostasy, sees only vindictive justice, and penal
+infliction, and disordered action, in all the movements of nature and the
+trials and sufferings of man. A third, captivated by the discoveries of
+modern geology, relative to the existence of suffering and death in the
+world before man's creation, and learning, moreover, from physiology,
+that death is a general law of all organized natures, vegetable as well as
+animal, is led to doubt whether the disorders of the world have any
+important connection with man's apostasy.
+
+Now, it were easy to show that our views on these subjects have a most
+important bearing upon our entire system of theology; and, therefore, they
+deserve our most thorough and candid examination. To such an examination I
+now invite your serious attention.
+
+It is not my object to appeal to the Scriptures to prove the divine
+benevolence. That were an easy task. So, were this an unfallen world,
+every object and event would be redolent of God's goodness. But where sin
+and death abound, that goodness must assume a different aspect, since its
+unmixed manifestation would work mischief. Now, the point aimed at in this
+lecture is to ascertain whether natural religion can point out decisive
+evidence of divine benevolence. We can conceive it quite possible that in
+a fallen world God might find it necessary so to mingle displays of
+justice with those of goodness, that man might be in doubt which
+predominated.
+
+There is another reason for considering this subject apart from scriptural
+evidence. We need to establish the doctrine of divine benevolence as a
+basis on which to rest the evidences of inspiration; or, rather, we want
+to be able to assume God's benevolence, in arguing for the truth of the
+Bible, and in judging of its contents. This doctrine, therefore, is one of
+the most important, as it is certainly the most difficult, in natural
+theology.
+
+Obviously the first step in this investigation must be to ascertain what
+is the real state of this world, as a manifestation of the benevolence and
+justice of God. In other words, we need to ascertain what exhibitions of
+these attributes are presented to us in nature, and in the economy of
+Providence, and how much of the evil in the world is to be imputed to
+man's perversion of the gifts of God. I shall proceed, therefore, to state
+the main points on this subject which fair and candid reasoning seems to
+me to sustain. When these points are before us, with a summary of the
+evidence by which they are supported, we shall be prepared to deduce
+important conclusions respecting God's character and dispensations, and
+man's position and destiny.
+
+_In the first place, then, I maintain that benevolence decidedly
+predominates in the present system of the world._
+
+Let this proposition be fully understood. It does not mean that there is
+no mixture of evil in the operations of nature, but only that good
+decidedly overbalances the evil. And by the operations of nature I mean
+those processes resulting from natural laws, which are uninfluenced by the
+perverseness of man. How much of evil may be imputed to his perversion of
+the gifts of Providence will be considered in another place, as will also
+those cases in which evil seems inseparable from the original arrangements
+of the world. All that I am now concerned to prove is, that, in a vast
+majority of instances, we see the marks of benevolent design and
+benevolent operation in the arrangements of nature.
+
+This position is established, in the first place, by the fact that the
+design of every natural contrivance is to produce happiness.
+
+To show that such is the case, by an appeal to facts, would be, in truth,
+to write the history of every natural process, and show its design. But it
+will be sufficient to consider only such cases as appear most decidedly to
+militate against my position, and to show that even these are not
+designed to cause evil or suffering.
+
+How does it happen, then, you may inquire, that evil is the result of a
+multitude of contrivances and processes in nature? It is an incidental
+effect, I answer; that is, an effect happening aside from the main design
+of the contrivance. Take a few illustrations.
+
+No one can doubt that the law of gravity is essential to the preservation
+and comfort of the world, and to the harmonious motions of the heavenly
+bodies. Yet how often does it give rise to frightful accidents to men and
+animals! But when they are crushed by falling bodies, or by falling
+themselves, who imagines this to be the design of gravitation? How clear
+that its real object is beneficial, and that the evil resulting from it is
+unavoidable in a world constituted like ours! Why the world is not
+constituted differently, is an inquiry which men may try to answer; but an
+answer is not important to my present object.
+
+Take an example from the organic world. Every one is aware that without a
+nervous system in animals there would be no sensibility, nor sensation,
+and, of course, no enjoyment; and without these, animals would be
+unconscious of danger, and would not guard against it, nor withdraw from
+it. We are sure, therefore, that these two objects are the grand design of
+the nervous system, and, of course, it is a benevolent design. But the
+nervous system causes a great deal of suffering as well as pleasure.
+Obviously, however, this is only an incidental effect, which could not be
+prevented without a miracle; while the main design is to produce happiness
+and guard against evil.
+
+It may be asked, however, by what principle we can determine what is the
+design of a contrivance, and what the incidental effect. Why select a
+part of the effects, and call them the object aimed at by the contriver,
+while we regard others as incidental, and merely permitted, not intended?
+
+The principle on which we make this distinction is very clear. We judge of
+the design of a contrivance by its predominant tendencies and effects. If
+evil as often results as good, misery as often as happiness, we could not
+decide whether the design was benevolent or malevolent, or an indifference
+to both. But the benevolent tendency and effects of every natural
+contrivance are so obvious, and so immensely outweigh all its evil
+results, that we are compelled to admit the design of the Author of nature
+to be benevolent. And, therefore, when we see evil occasionally result
+from such contrivances, we are authorized to say that this is only an
+incidental effect; not, indeed, wholly undesigned, for we cannot doubt
+that God has a design in the permission of all evil. But for each
+particular arrangement and movement in nature we can discover a
+predominant and benevolent object.
+
+Take another example from the human frame. In that frame we find a
+multitude of organs, nearly all of which are obviously adapted to a
+particular use. Now, the anatomist cannot lay his finger upon one of them,
+and say, This was intended to produce derangement and suffering in the
+system. Here is a muscle contrived to clog the operations of its
+neighbors; here a blood-vessel adapted to corrupt the blood and produce
+disease; here a gland whose object is to secrete a poisonous fluid, to
+contaminate the whole system; here a nerve made to produce pain; here a
+plexus of vessels suited to bring on disease. On the contrary, this
+anatomist perceives at once that all the organs of the animal system, and
+their collocation, are fitted in the best possible manner to produce
+health. It is obvious at a glance that this is their design.
+
+But if such be the fact, how happens it that so few persons pass through
+life without disease? Is it all to be imputed to an abuse and perversion
+of the organs and powers of life? Not so, in my opinion. But those organs
+are all liable to disease; and when we see how delicate and complicated
+they are, we ought not to wonder that even the unavoidable causes of
+derangement should often bring it on. Yet, after all, health is the rule
+and the object, and disease only the exception. But I shall say more on
+this subject in another part of the argument.
+
+Some one, however, who hears me, has doubtless ere this had his thoughts
+recur to the organs of carnivorous animals, the poisonous fangs of
+serpents, and the organs of the scorpion, the tarantula, and of insects,
+for the generation and protrusion of deadly poison. Here we have organs
+expressly provided for the destruction of other animals. That such is
+their design, no physiologist can doubt; and hence they are intended to
+produce suffering, and not happiness.
+
+Is this an exactly correct statement of the case? True, suffering is the
+result of such organs; but the arrangement is intended to accomplish still
+higher purposes. The leading one is to procure food for sustenance, the
+other is self-defence. Both of these are essential to the animal's
+continued existence. That suffering should be incidentally connected with
+instruments or organs so important, is no more difficult to explain than
+is the existence of evil any where. The object even of these contrivances,
+then, is beneficial. And if so, I know of no other example in nature so
+seemingly adverse to the position I have laid down, that the main object
+of every natural contrivance is benevolent in its origin and results. If
+this be so, how clearly does it indicate the character of the contriver to
+be benevolent!
+
+My second argument is derived from the fact that the organic functions
+often produce pleasure where suffering was just as consistent with their
+most perfect action; or I might say that such are the arrangements of the
+natural world, that pleasure often results to sentient beings from its
+operations, when they might have been as perfectly performed with the
+production of pain. A few illustrations will render the meaning of this
+position obvious.
+
+As we look abroad upon nature, one of the most striking traits we discover
+is its unbounded variety. With the Psalmist we involuntarily exclaim, _O
+Lord, how manifold are thy works!_ It is not merely variety as to form,
+texture, attitude, and arrangement; but who can describe the countless
+tints of coloring which are spread over the heavens and the earth? Now,
+there is in the human soul an aptitude to be pleased with variety; nay,
+there is a craving for it. Nor can there be a more terrible infliction
+than unvarying monotony and sameness of appearance, arrangement, and
+action. If, therefore, the Creator had been malevolent, or indifferent to
+the happiness of man and other sentient beings, he might have gratified
+this disposition most perfectly by giving to the human soul its present
+love of variety, and then spreading over the face of nature a dead
+uniformity of figure, position, arrangement, and coloring; forming every
+thing upon the same model. And this might have been done without impairing
+at all the perfect operation of all her laws that are essential. Every
+thing might have been as systematic and harmonious as it now is; but
+sentient beings would have been miserable; and this must have been
+supremely gratifying to infinite malevolence. He might also have so
+constructed the organs of hearing, sight, and smell, that every sound
+might have been ungrateful and grating, every odor repulsive, and every
+prospect disgusting. While hunger would have urged animals, as it now
+does, to seek food, its reception might have been painful, or utterly void
+of gustatory enjoyment. So in regard to social enjoyments; we might have
+been irresistibly drawn towards our fellow-men, and yet their society
+might have been hateful in the extreme.
+
+Had such a state of things existed, how very clearly we should have
+inferred the malevolence of the Author of nature! Or if such a state had
+been witnessed about as often as its opposite, we might reasonably have
+said that he was indifferent to the happiness of his creatures. Why, then,
+may we not, with equal reason, infer his benevolence, when we find, in a
+vast majority of cases,--nay, for aught I know, universally,--that
+pleasure is superadded to animal enjoyment where it was wholly unnecessary
+to the perfect operation of nature's laws?
+
+The fact is, God has made all nature "beauty to our eye and music to our
+ear," when it was wholly unnecessary for the perfect operation of her
+laws; and the inference is irresistible, that he delights in the happiness
+of his creatures. Nor can the fact that evil exists in the world destroy
+the force of this argument, unless that evil is so general as to be
+obviously the design of the Creator in devising and arranging the system
+of the world. While we admit its existence, we say that it is only
+incidental, and that pleasure is so often superadded unnecessarily, as to
+prove happiness to be the design, and evil the exception.
+
+The two arguments above presented are the evidence on which Dr. Paley
+relies to prove the divine benevolence. They are, indeed, as it seems to
+me, unanswerable. But if I mistake not, they do by no means exhaust the
+storehouse of nature's proofs of this fundamental principle of natural
+and revealed religion. I derive a third argument for the predominance of
+benevolence in the works of nature from the variety of means often
+provided for the performance of important functions; so that animals and
+plants can adapt themselves to different circumstances, and prolong their
+existence.
+
+The examples which I have in mind to illustrate this argument are all
+derived from the organic world. I refer, for instance, to the fact that
+nearly all our muscles, and many other important organs, as the hands, the
+feet, the eyes, and the lungs, are in pairs, so that if one meets with an
+injury, or is destroyed, the other can, to some extent, perform the office
+of both. The brain has two hemispheres, and one of them may be seriously
+wounded without destroying the healthy action of the other.
+
+But perhaps the most appropriate example is in the blood-vessels, whose
+inosculations are so numerous that even though large arteries and veins be
+tied, the blood will find its way through the smaller ones, which
+ultimately will so enlarge as to keep up the circulation nearly as well as
+before the injury. And, in fact, almost every one of the large
+blood-vessels has been tied by the surgeon with little ultimate injury to
+the patient.
+
+In the process of deglutition, or swallowing the nourishment essential to
+the existence of all the more perfect animals,--since the food and the air
+for respiration pass for a time through a common opening, the pharynx,--it
+is extremely important that the passage to the lungs should be most
+vigilantly guarded; since strangulation would follow the introduction
+there of any thing but air. Accordingly, the entrance of the glottis is so
+sensitive, that the approach of the food causes it to close. But lest this
+security should sometimes fail, we have an additional guard in the
+epiglottis, which shuts down like a valve upon the orifice. Even with this
+double precaution, strangulation sometimes follows the act of deglutition.
+How much oftener would it occur, had not benevolence thus multiplied its
+vigilant sentinels at the point of danger!
+
+Another illustration of this argument lies in the fact, that many of the
+organs of animals and plants possess the power, when an exigency requires
+it, of greatly increasing their action. When, for instance, an unusual
+quantity of osseous matter is requisite to repair a broken bone, the
+glands, whose office it is to elaborate that matter, are capable of
+secreting an extraordinary quantity, until the injury is repaired.
+
+Of an analogous character is the sympathy existing between the different
+organs, so that when one has an unusual amount of labor to perform, the
+rest impart of their nervous energy to sustain their overtasked companion.
+Thus, and thus only, could animals be carried through many of the severe
+exigencies of their existence. Their organs help one another, just as if
+they were conscious of one another's necessities, and were prompted by
+benevolence to aid the weakest.
+
+In like manner, some of the organs possess the power of vicarious
+secretion; that is, of producing, in peculiar circumstances, secretions
+that are usually made by other glands. How they can do this, and how they
+can know when to do it, are among the mysteries of physiology.
+Nevertheless, the object of this arrangement is most obvious, viz., the
+continuance of health and life in spite of accidents, which would
+otherwise prove fatal.
+
+The same vicarious system is manifest in the well-known examples, where
+the loss of one or more of the senses gives increased acuteness to the
+rest. The sense of touch, for instance, in the blind man, has sometimes
+proved no mean substitute for eyes; and, indeed, any of the senses by
+cultivation, in peculiar exigencies, may be prodigiously strengthened.
+
+Now, in all these cases, where the vicarious principle is brought into
+operation, or sympathy concentrates the power of many organs in one, or
+the loss of one organ or sense quickens the sensibility of the rest, do we
+not recognize the prospective care and kindness of infinite benevolence?
+Do you say that it merely shows infinite wisdom, which adjusts means to
+ends with consummate skill, in order to be sure of success in its designs?
+Why, then, I inquire, should these provisions for trying exigencies in the
+animal system always tend to the happiness of the creature? Surely there
+were other means at the command of infinite wisdom for securing the
+existence of the animal, which would bring misery upon it instead of
+happiness. The benevolent tendency of the design, therefore, proves the
+benevolent feelings of the designer.
+
+The extraordinary provisions that are made in some cases for the
+multiplication of animals and plants, in order to prevent the extinction
+of any races, and to give life and happiness to as many animals as can be
+sustained, is another indication of benevolent care on the part of the
+Creator. Not less than five modes of reproduction are known to exist,
+viz., the viviparous, the ovo-viviparous, the oviparous, the gemmiparous,
+and the fissiparous; and among the lowest families of animals several of
+these modes exist in the same species, so that their extinction, or even
+deficient multiplication, is scarcely possible.
+
+The same benevolence is manifested in the power possessed by animals and
+plants to adapt themselves to different circumstances. Often are they
+thrown into conditions widely diverse as to food, temperature, and
+exposure to chemical and mechanical agencies, with no possibility on their
+part of avoiding them. This is eminently true of man; and were not animals
+able to adapt themselves to these various states, they must perish. True,
+there are limits to this adaptation; but they are wide enough to
+accomplish the great purposes of existence, and to make us comfortable and
+happy amid great changes in our condition. Nor is this power of adaptation
+among animals limited to their physical nature. Their mental habits admit
+of an oscillation equally wide, so that, ere long, we become happy in a
+condition which at first was painful in the extreme. New habits take the
+place of the old ones so gradually that we scarcely realize the change.
+
+Now, if this power were not possessed in such a world as ours, could
+organic natures not bend at all to circumstances, constant suffering and
+premature dissolution would be the result. The power of adaptation,
+therefore, looks like the benevolent provision of a kind Father, who
+wishes to make his creatures as happy as he can in the circumstances in
+which his wisdom has placed them. Certainly, malevolence, or indifference
+to their happiness, would not have introduced this power of adaptation
+into their natures; for it is certain that their continued existence might
+have been secured in some other way, had no reference been had to their
+happiness.
+
+I base my fourth argument for the predominance of benevolence, in the
+arrangements of nature, upon the aggregate results of the most destructive
+and terrific agencies which she employs.
+
+The immediate effects of these agencies are often so appalling and so
+unmixed with good, that men view them only as penal inflictions; or, when
+the sufferers are unconscious of guilt, as mysterious dispensations of
+evil, which need the light of another world to reconcile with infinite
+benevolence. When the tornado or sirocco's hot breath sweeps over the
+devoted land; when the river overflows its banks, and ingulfs the
+defenceless inhabitants along its course, or the giant waves of the ocean
+roll in upon the devoted shore; when the heaving earthquake overturns in a
+moment vast cities, and the earth swallows them in its bosom; or when the
+volcano pours out its suffocating smoke and its scorching lava, and
+obliterates from earth the defenceless town, as once Herculaneum and
+Pompeii were converted into petrified cities,--in the midst of such
+desolating agencies, where can we discover a gleam of benevolence? Not
+surely in the immediate effects. But suppose the tornado, the flood, the
+earthquake, and the volcano are essential to the preservation of the earth
+from a far wider ruin, so that, in fact, while they destroy some property
+and life, they preserve a far greater amount, and are essential to such
+preservation,--why is it not benevolence that gives a slight play to these
+terrific elements, while it checks their wild war so soon as the requisite
+security has been obtained? When the storm has sufficiently purified the
+atmosphere, when the flood has enriched the wide alluvial fields, and the
+earthquake and the volcano have given vent to the pent-up fires in the
+earth, so that they no longer threaten to rend a continent asunder, then a
+restraining power is put upon them, and they are allowed no more range
+than is essential to the general good. We may not, indeed, see why the
+good could not be secured without the evil. But this question leads to the
+inquiry, whether the present system of the universe is the best possible;
+and that it is so we have the guaranty of the divine perfections. Those
+perfections admit the existence of evil; but at the same time they take
+care that the aggregate result of the greatest evils should be beneficial.
+
+Nor would we limit this position to evils springing out of the nature or
+the changes of the inanimate world; for some of the severest evils are
+dependent upon the organization or operation of animate nature. Man, for
+instance, finds himself often grossly annoyed by some species of the
+inferior animals, in his comfort, property, and even life. And he wonders
+why infinite wisdom and benevolence should permit certain species to
+exist, when they seem fitted only to annoy the rest. But he knows not what
+he desires when he wishes their extinction. For such is the balance of
+organic nature, that to strike out even one species, is like removing a
+link from a chain. Once broken, every other link is affected, and the
+whole chain lies useless upon the ground. Or, to speak without a figure,
+if you blot out certain species of animals or plants, you disturb the
+balance of the whole system of organic nature; nor can you tell where the
+disturbance thus introduced will end. It may lead to the excessive
+multiplication of species still more injurious than those you have
+destroyed. At any rate, since the perfections of the Deity lead to the
+conclusion that the existing proportion between different species is the
+best, all things considered, and change in the balance must be injurious,
+we may conclude, that though noxious animals and plants may produce
+individual inconvenience and injury, the aggregate effects upon the whole
+of organic nature are salutary, and, therefore, indicative of benevolence.
+
+Similar reasoning will, I think, apply to the existence of that large
+class of animals called carnivorous. These are evidently intended to prey
+upon other animals; and for this purpose they are provided with weapons
+for seizing and destroying their prey. It is often extremely painful to a
+man of kind feelings to witness the scenes of blood and havoc which these
+flesh-eating animals produce. But we forget two things. The first is, that
+in order to keep the numbers of animated beings full in the different
+tribes, it is necessary that there should be a great excess of numbers
+created, to meet all the casualties to which they are exposed; and that
+excess must in some way or other be removed from life. Secondly, all the
+enjoyment of the carnivorous races is so much clear gain to the sum of
+animal happiness; for the excess of numbers in the tribes of vegetable
+feeders suffer no more in being destroyed by the carnivorous races, than
+if they died in some other way; not so much, indeed, as if they perished
+by famine. We may safely conclude, then, that even this system of mutual
+slaughter, when viewed in all its relations, is the means, in such a world
+as ours, of increasing the amount of enjoyment, and is, therefore, a
+benevolent provision.
+
+This course of reasoning may be extended, as I judge, to the greatest of
+all mortal evils,--I mean death. In the case of the inferior animals, the
+amount of physical or mental suffering from this cause is comparatively
+small. And if they survive the change of death, surely there is
+benevolence in so easy a translation. Or, if they do not exist hereafter,
+the stroke of death is a small deduction from the happiness of a whole
+life. In man's case, we must not take into the account the aggravations of
+death which his own misconduct produces. And aside from these, what a
+blessing it would be to be transferred to a more exalted state of being,
+by an experience no more painful than that of a Christian dying what may
+be called a natural death, by mere decay! Then, too, how much greater
+happiness is the result of a succession of beings on earth, than one
+undying race would enjoy, both because the successive races would be ever
+passing through novel scenes, which would soon become monotonous to a
+continuous race, and because, as we have already suggested, a succession
+of races admits of the existence, at any one time, of a far greater number
+of species! Then, too, we must not forget the salutary moral influence
+which man experiences from the expectation of death; so great, indeed,
+that without it, it seems doubtful whether the world would be any thing
+better than a Pandemonium. In making indissoluble the connection between
+sin and death, therefore, in such a system as the present, benevolence
+presided with wisdom and justice in the councils of Jehovah.
+
+But in the third lecture I have treated this whole subject so much more
+fully, that I need not add any thing further in this connection.
+
+I base my fifth and last argument, to prove the predominance of
+benevolence in the present system of nature, on the fact that good so
+often results from evil as a natural consequence. Or, to state the
+argument in another form, good seems generally to be the object or final
+cause of evil, whereas evil flows only incidentally from good.
+
+This argument scarcely differs from the last, except in the more general
+form of its statement. That brings forward certain prominent and appalling
+evils, and endeavors to show that, in striking the balance of their
+effects, the preponderance is on the side of benevolence. This advances a
+step farther, and attempts to show that the direct object of evil is to
+produce good.
+
+It follows, hence, that the examples adduced and elucidated under the last
+argument are not inappropriate to sustain and illustrate the present. Yet
+others should be added.
+
+Almost the entire history of medicine and surgery illustrates the manner
+in which physical evils result in physical good. Indeed, men never resort
+to the physician, or the surgeon, because their remedies and operations
+are desirable, but only because they are the necessary means of health and
+comfort. These means are, indeed, for the most part, of human invention,
+but not, therefore, the less indicative of the divine intention; for they
+are founded upon such a constitution in nature as makes it possible to
+discover remedies for disease and accidents. And the characteristics of
+nature's constitution are an index of the intentions of its Author.
+
+The severe mental discipline through which the youth must pass, who would
+attain distinction in learning, affords us an example of intellectual evil
+resulting in intellectual wealth and happiness. The trial is too severe
+for many irresolute minds, and they give over the effort, and sink down
+into a state of indolence and neglect. But he who bears manfully the
+discipline will at length gather the golden fruit. And he will be
+satisfied, too, of the wisdom and benevolence of that law of mental
+progress, which makes it impossible ever to find a royal road to the
+temple of learning, and which shuts out from that temple all who shrink
+from the preparatory discipline.
+
+Still more strikingly illustrative of this argument are the evils which
+men suffer as necessary precursors of moral good. These may be physical or
+mental; embracing all those experiences that take the name of trials,
+afflictions, and disappointments. These are often intensely bitter, and
+they constitute, indeed, the master evils of life. We shudder when we see
+them coming; and we often writhe in agony when in the furnace. But how
+many have come out of that furnace purified from base alloy, and ready for
+the service of God and the world! To do good is henceforth their delight;
+and they thank God for the severe discipline. When his heavy blows fell
+upon them, one after another, they felt as if they were the strokes of an
+incensed Deity. But now they see that they were only the necessary
+inflictions of infinite love. And they admire the wisdom that could thus
+educe so much good out of so great evil.
+
+I do not contend that good is always educed from evil in this world, or
+could be; but only that, in a plurality of cases, if men improve the evils
+they suffer as they might, such would be the effect. And if this be
+admitted, it is sufficient to establish the general principle, that one of
+the direct objects of evil in this world is to produce individual benefit.
+
+But the converse of this proposition cannot be maintained. We cannot,
+indeed, deny that evil sometimes results from good; but never as the
+direct object of the latter. The effect is only incidental; that is, not
+as the main object; and so a few cases of this sort cannot invalidate the
+proposition which I defend.
+
+I might multiply much more the arguments furnished by nature to prove a
+predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and operations of the
+present system of things. But I see no way of escaping the force of those
+presented, and cannot doubt that all will admit the conclusion. I advance,
+therefore to a second proposition, and maintain that _the benevolence
+exhibited in the present system of nature is not unmixed_.
+
+I mean, by this statement, that the divine benevolence exhibited in this
+world is modified by other perfections. While there is a predominance of
+benevolence, there are also indications of God's displeasure; or, at
+least, his dealings seem to be adapted to restrain and amend a wicked
+race, rather than to make an innocent and holy race happy; so that the
+condition of the human family is far less happy than unmixed benevolence
+would confer.
+
+In proof of this assertion, I maintain, first, that evil is incidental to
+every process and event in nature.
+
+This is preeminently true of all those actions which we call vicious.
+Indeed, they are in themselves evils of the worst kind; and not only so,
+but they are connected incidentally with scarcely any thing but evil,
+though sometimes, as theologians say, overruled for good.
+
+Take next the common operations of nature, which, of course, have no moral
+character. Their leading design, as we have already seen, is to produce
+good to sentient beings; but incidentally they bring much evil. Food is
+intended for gustatory enjoyment and for nourishment; but it is often the
+occasion of severe suffering, and becomes an active poison. Gravity is
+intended to hold the material universe in a proper balance, and to attach
+every moving thing on earth to the surface; but it occasions a vast number
+of accidents, and a vast amount of suffering. Water and fire are of
+immense direct benefit; yet the first buries a vast amount of property and
+life in its bosom, and the latter is scarcely less injurious in its
+incidental effects. Indeed, what natural agency can be named, that is not
+armed with the power to do evil?
+
+But the same principle extends also to benevolent actions. With our views
+of divine benevolence, we might expect that virtuous conduct would never
+be coupled with evil. But this notion does not accord with facts; for the
+incidental evils connected with benevolent action are often the most
+painful in life. Indeed, in how many instances has doing good been
+rewarded by the loss of life, and under all the aggravations of suffering
+which malignant ingenuity could invent! And the fact has been, that those
+whose motives in doing good were the purest have suffered the most.
+Witness the life and the death of Him who knew no sin, and yet was led as
+a lamb to the slaughter. Since wickedness in this world is sometimes
+allowed to have the power of annoying goodness we might expect that the
+more disinterested the latter, the more malignant and persecuting would be
+the former, because its own deformity is made more manifest.
+
+But the incidental evils connected with benevolent action are not limited
+to those resulting from the malice of the wicked. If, for instance, some
+huge system of iniquity has become incorporated into the very texture of
+society, benevolence cannot root it out without producing many a severe
+laceration of individuals, who are incidentally connected with the system,
+but to whom no blame attaches. The history of the efforts that have been
+made to substitute Christianity for heathenism and other false religions,
+is full of examples illustrative of this principle, in conformity with the
+remarkable declaration of Christ, _Think not that I am come to send peace
+on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword._ Alike prolific of
+illustrations are all the great attempted reforms which the world has
+witnessed, whether for delivering religion from human corruptions, or
+eradicating slavery, or intemperance, or breaking the political yoke of
+the oppressor. In fine, no reasonable man ought to expect to do much good
+in this world, without suffering much himself and bringing some incidental
+suffering upon others.
+
+Now, although the evils that have been described are incidental, they
+belong to the constitution of this world, and, therefore, show the
+feelings and intentions of its Author, as much as those effects of his
+works which appear to be their final causes. But do not such evils,
+incidental to every event, indicate a feeling in the divine mind different
+from unmixed benevolence? Strictly speaking, these evils are not penal
+inflictions. But they certainly do not show in the Creator a simple desire
+to promote the happiness of men, by directly conferring it. They rather
+indicate a necessity, on account of some peculiarity in the character of
+man, of mingling severity with goodness in the divine conduct towards him.
+
+In thus representing incidental effects as indicative of the feelings of
+the Deity, I may seem to contradict my reasoning under the first head,
+where I gave, as proof of God's benevolence, the fact that the direct
+object of every contrivance is beneficial, and evil only incidental. But I
+did not mean to intimate that the incidental effects of a contrivance are
+no index of the feelings of its author, but only that the direct effects
+show more clearly than the incidental what are his wishes and intentions,
+especially if the former are the most numerous, important, and striking.
+Still, incidental effects are never without an object; and where they are
+evil, as in the case supposed, they indicate other feelings towards men,
+in the divine mind, than unmixed benevolence. For it is a strange
+limitation of God's wisdom and power to say, as some do, that the evils
+could not be prevented.
+
+It may be said, however, that if men only conform to the laws of nature,
+they will escape all the evils they suffer. On the other hand, I
+maintain,--and this constitutes my second argument to show that the divine
+benevolence is not unmixed,--I maintain that the highest virtue and the
+most consummate prudence cannot avoid all the evils of life.
+
+Such prudence and virtue will not secure any one against many destructive
+natural agencies and operations to which he is exposed. Miasms productive
+of fatal disease may contaminate the atmosphere we breathe, unperceived by
+us; poison may exist in the food which we take as our necessary
+sustenance; the mechanical violence of the elements, or of gravity, may
+crush us; the lightning may smite us to the earth; the wild beast may rush
+from his unnoticed lair as we pass; or the deadly insect, or serpent, may
+inject its poison into our blood at an unexpected moment; or the floods
+may overwhelm, or the fire consume us.
+
+Now, although prudence and virtue may defend us against many evils, they
+afford no security against such as I have named, in very many instances.
+We are often ignorant of their existence or proximity till we become their
+victims, and suffering, often intense, is the consequence. Indeed, the
+greatest of all physical evils--I mean death--is as sure to visit every
+son and daughter of Adam as any event can be; and nothing but insanity, or
+its religious synonyme, fanaticism, has ever pretended to be proof against
+disease and death. You cannot, indeed, point out any particular organ or
+agency, whose direct object is to produce disease and death; but they are
+nevertheless the inevitable result of organic operations and agencies in
+such a world as this.
+
+It will be said, perhaps, that the good resulting to the whole from even
+the most severe of these sufferings, overbalances the evil, and therefore
+they are indications of benevolence in such a world as ours. True, as
+things are, this may be so. But the question is, Why is there such a
+constitution given to nature as made it necessary to introduce disease,
+accident, and death? Would not unmixed benevolence have conferred the
+good, but have withheld the evil? Had there not been something in man's
+character requiring the discipline of trials, would pure benevolence have
+sent them? At least, we should suppose that they might all have been
+avoided by prudence and virtue. Why should benevolence make such severe
+drawbacks upon the happiness even of the virtuous, if something were not
+radically wrong in the human constitution?
+
+Thirdly. The great sterility of so large a part of the earth, and the
+necessity of severe bodily labor to secure sustenance from it, show us
+that the benevolence exhibited in nature and in man's condition is not
+unmixed. Though some limited regions are exuberantly fertile, the larger
+part of the earth yields up even a mere sustenance only after the severest
+labor. And the vast majority of the race can do nothing more than to
+obtain food for the body. The artificial state of most societies does,
+indeed, keep the lower classes much more depressed than a better state of
+the world would bring them into; but at the best, nature unites with
+revelation in attesting the truth of the sentence passed upon man--_In the
+sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread._
+
+Nor is this necessity for severe labor confined to the cultivation of the
+earth, but extends to all kinds of human pursuits. Success, as a general
+fact, can be secured only by vigorous industry; and often, in spite of
+their most honest and persevering efforts, men fail of securing even a
+competence for the support of themselves and their dependants.
+
+Some will say that all this arises from a necessity in the very nature of
+the case. But does not such a view limit the divine power and wisdom?
+Could not God have prepared a world more paradisiacal than the present,
+where the earth should spontaneously yield her fruits, and pour out her
+hidden treasures at man's feet? Who will deny this? Why, then, has he not
+done it? Because obviously a race so prone to evil as man, so incapable of
+maintaining his integrity in the lap of ease and indulgence, needs all
+this severe discipline to keep him where he ought to be. Here, then, we
+see a reason why God must mingle seeming severity with benevolence.
+
+The same thing is seen, in the fourth place, in the confined and depressed
+condition of the human mind in this world, and in the multiplied obstacles
+in the way of its cultivation and enlargement.
+
+What a clog to the intellect is a body governed by gross appetites, and
+often stopping the ingress of truth, or perverting its aspect, by
+disordered and imperfect senses! Nearly one third of the time must that
+intellect sink into oblivion, while sleep recruits the physical powers.
+And nearly another third of life must be given to the wants of the body;
+and as we have seen, the great mass of men are obliged to devote nearly
+their whole time to serve the necessary wants of the body. What an
+incalculable waste of mind does the world exhibit! And even when all
+artificial and unnecessary obstructions are taken out of the way, what an
+immense waste must it always present, while in so gross a corporeal
+tenement! for were it free to exhibit its true nature, we cannot doubt its
+power of unwearied and incessant activity. And such might have been its
+condition here, had it pleased infinite wisdom and benevolence. But what
+unmixed benevolence would have prompted, perfect wisdom would not permit
+to fallen man.
+
+I feel confident that my first two propositions are established, viz.,
+that there is a predominance of benevolence in the arrangements and
+operations of the present world, and yet that it is not unmixed
+benevolence. I advance to a third proposition, which asserts that _the
+same mixed system of good and evil, which now exists, has always prevailed
+since the earth was inhabited_.
+
+Geology shows us the true succession of events since the first appearance
+of organic beings on the globe, but no chronological dates are registered
+on the rocks. And it is only by observing processes in existing nature,
+analogous to those whose record is engraven on the solid strata, that we
+can infer that the years since life first appeared on the surface must
+have been very many. But however far back in the hoary past that event
+occurred, we have indisputable evidence that the same laws then controlled
+the operations of nature as now, and the result was the same mixture of
+good and evil.
+
+In the crystalline structure, and in the perfect crystals of the older
+rocks, we learn the laws which predominated at their production. And we
+find that the same chemical, electrical, and electro-magnetical influences
+presided over their formation as are now exhibited in the laboratory of
+the chemist or the laboratory of nature. Now, these crystals conduct us
+back much farther than the dawn of terrestrial life, though similar ones,
+and produced by the same laws, are found through the whole series of
+rocks, from the oldest to the newest. And I might appeal to many other
+facts in the earth's history, which demonstrate an identity between the
+physical laws that have controlled nature's processes in every period of
+past time.
+
+We have evidence, also, of the same identity in the laws of life, or
+organic laws. In the anatomical structure of the earliest animals and
+plants we find the same general type that pervades the present creation,
+modified only, as it now is, to meet peculiar circumstances. This is true
+not only of the osseous, but also of the muscular, circulatory, nervous,
+lymphatic, and nutritive organs. Hence, as we might expect, we have
+evidence of the prevalence of the same functional or physiological laws
+then, as now. Respiration was performed, as it now is, and with the same
+effects. Vegetable and animal food was then, as now, masticated, digested,
+and assimilated; and since animals possessed the same senses, we infer
+that their habits were essentially the same. There is not, indeed, any
+evidence that ancient animals and plants exhibited any peculiarities of
+structure or function, save those necessary to adapt them to the
+circumstances, so unlike the present, in many respects, in which they
+lived.
+
+We are sure, also, that death has ever reigned over all organic nature. It
+has always been produced by the same causes, and attended by the same
+suffering. And its ravages were repaired by the same system of
+reproduction as now exists. All this we might presume would be the case,
+upon the discovery of an identity of laws, mechanical, chemical, and
+organic; but we have direct evidence, also, in the countless remains of
+animals and plants entombed in the rocks, more than twenty thousand
+species of which have been disinterred by naturalists and described.
+
+I might multiply facts almost without number to sustain the position, that
+the same mixed system has ever prevailed upon the globe; for geology is
+full of the details. But in a subsequent lecture, the subject will be more
+amply discussed.
+
+Such are the facts respecting the divine benevolence, as they are
+presented in the volume of nature. Though benevolence decidedly
+predominates, it is modified by other divine attributes, and ever has
+been, since organic existence began upon the globe. Let us now, _in the
+fourth place, see what inferences are fairly deducible from the whole
+subject_. For those inferences, if I mistake not, will not only clear away
+every cloud from the divine benevolence, but throw much light upon man's
+condition.
+
+In the first place, the subject shows us that the world is not in a state
+of retribution.
+
+As a general fact, virtue is to some extent rewarded, and vice to some
+extent punished. But it is not always so. Indeed, the picture is sometimes
+reversed apparently; and the good are afflicted because they do good, and
+the wicked triumph because they do evil. Evil abounds, but it is not so
+distributed as righteous retribution would award it; neither is good.
+Since, therefore, God's justice must be infinitely perfect, there must be
+some other object for the prevalence of good and evil in the world besides
+righteous retribution.
+
+Secondly. We learn from the subject that the world is in a fallen
+condition.
+
+I mean, that man has fallen from holiness and happiness. For the world is
+evidently not such a world as infinite wisdom and benevolence would
+prepare for a being perfectly holy and happy. Philosophize as we may, we
+cannot discover any reason why the abode of such a being should be filled
+with evils of almost every name--evils which the most consummate prudence
+and the most elevated virtue cannot wholly avoid--evils which often come
+upon the good man because he is eminent for holiness. But if man has
+fallen from original holiness and happiness by transgression, we might
+expect just such a world to be fitted up for his residence, because evil
+is indissolubly linked to sin, perhaps in the very nature of things,
+certainly by divine appointment. We know that it brings a curse upon every
+thing with which it is connected; and here we see a reason for the blight
+that has marred some of the fairest features of nature, and introduced
+pain and suffering into the animal frame, and brought a cloud over man's
+noble intellect, and hebetude over his moral powers. Such a fallen
+condition will explain what no other supposition can, viz., the clouded,
+fettered, and depressed condition of all organic nature.
+
+Yet, thirdly. We should not infer that man's condition was hopeless, but
+rather that mercy might be in store for him.
+
+The very fact that the world is not in a state of retribution would seem
+to afford hope that God had other purposes than punishment in allowing
+evil to be introduced. And then the vast predominance of benevolence and
+happiness around us cannot but inspire hope for the fallen.
+
+This will be still more manifest if we infer, and can show, fourthly, that
+the world is in a state of probation or trial.
+
+By this I mean that men are placed in a condition for the trial and
+discipline of their characters, in order to fit them for a higher state.
+If fallen and depraved, they need to pass through such a discipline before
+they can be prepared for that higher condition. And surely no one can
+observe the scenes through which all pass, without being struck with their
+eminent adaptedness to train man to virtue and holiness. Until we have
+been pupils for a time in this school, we are not fit even for the
+successive states in this life into which we pass; much less for a higher
+condition. But there is a marvellous power in this discipline to prepare
+us for both, as vast multitudes have testified while they lived and when
+they died. Even death seems, so far as we can see, to be the only means by
+which a sinful being can be delivered from his stains; and the dread of
+this terrific evil is one of the most powerful restraints upon vice, and
+stimulants to virtue. There is, in fact, no condition in which man is
+placed, no good or evil that he meets, which is not eminently adapted, if
+rightly improved, to discipline and strengthen his virtue. Hence we cannot
+doubt that this is the grand object of the present arrangements of the
+world. True, if misimproved, the same means become only a discipline in
+vice. But this is only in conformity with a general principle of the
+divine government, that the things which rightly used are highly
+salutary, are proportionably injurious when perverted.
+
+Fifthly. The subject shows us a reason why suffering and death prevailed
+in this world long before man's existence.
+
+God foresaw--I will not say foreordained, though he certainly permitted
+it--that man would transgress; and, therefore, he made a world adapted to
+a sinful fallen being, rather than to one pure and holy. If he had adapted
+it to an unfallen being, and then changed it upon his apostasy, that
+change must have amounted to a new creation. For, as I have endeavored to
+show in a previous lecture, (Lecture III.,) the whole constitution of our
+world, and even its relations to other worlds, must have been altered to
+fit it for a being who had sinned. To have introduced such a one into a
+world fitted up for the perfectly holy, would have been a curse instead of
+a blessing. It was benevolence on the part of God to allow evil to abound
+in a world which was to be the residence of a sinful creature; for the
+discipline of such a state was the only chance of his being rescued from
+the power of sin, and restored to the divine favor.
+
+It may be thought, however, inconsistent with divine benevolence to place
+the inferior, irrational animals in a condition of suffering because man
+would transgress, and thus punish creatures incapable of sinning for his
+transgression.
+
+Animals do, indeed, suffer in such a world as ours; but not as a
+punishment for their own or man's sin. The only question is, Do they
+suffer so much that their existence is not a blessing? Surely experience
+will decide, without inquiring as to their future existence, that their
+enjoyments, as a general fact, vastly outweigh their sufferings; and hence
+their existence indicates benevolence. It should also be recollected that
+their natures are adapted to a world of sin and death, and they are
+doubtless more happy here than they would be in a different condition,
+which might be more favorable to unfallen accountable beings.
+
+Finally. This subject harmonizes infinite and perfect benevolence in God
+with the existence of evil on earth.
+
+This is the grand problem of theology; and though I would not say that our
+reasoning clears it of all difficulties, yet it does seem to me that, by
+letting the light of this subject fall upon the question, we come nearer
+to its solution than by viewing it in any other aspect. For this subject
+shows us that benevolence decidedly predominates in all the arrangements
+of the material universe, and then it assigns good reasons why this
+benevolence is not unmixed; in other words, why severity is sometimes
+mingled with goodness. It shows us that God, with a prospective view of
+man's sin, adapted the world to a fallen being; making it, instead of a
+place of unmingled happiness, a state of trial and discipline; not as a
+full punishment, (for that is reserved to a future state,) but as an
+essential means of delivering this immortal being from his ruin and
+misery, and of fitting him for future and endless holiness and happiness.
+Thus, instead of indicating indifference or malevolence in God, because he
+introduced evil into the world, it is a striking evidence of his
+benevolence. Such a plan is, in fact, the conjoint result of infinite
+wisdom and benevolence for rescuing the miserable and the lost. Had God
+placed such a being in a world adapted to one perfectly holy, his
+sufferings would have been vastly greater, and his rescue hopeless.
+
+Thus far do both reason and revelation conduct us in a plain path; and
+that, probably, is as far as is necessary for all the purposes of
+religion. Up to this point, infinite benevolence pours its radiance upon
+the path, and we see good reasons for the evils incident to this life;
+nay, we see that they are the result of that same benevolence which strews
+the way with blessings; that, in fact, they are only necessary means of
+the greatest blessings. I am aware that there is a question lying farther
+back, in the outskirts of metaphysical theology, which still remains
+unanswered, and probably never can be settled in this world, because some
+of its elements are beyond our reach. The inquisitive mind asks why it was
+necessary for infinite wisdom and power to introduce evil, or allow it to
+be introduced, into any system of created things. Could not such natures
+have been bestowed upon creatures, that good only might have been their
+portion? A plausible answer is, that evil exists because it can ultimately
+be made subservient of greater good, taking the whole universe into
+account, than another system. Certainly to fallen man we have reason to
+believe natural evils are the grand means of his highest good; and hence
+we derive an argument for the same conclusion in respect to the whole
+system of evil. Indeed, such are the divine attributes, that it is absurd
+to suppose God would create any system which was not the best possible in
+existing circumstances. But even though we cannot solve these questions in
+their abstract form, and as applied to the whole creation, it is
+sufficient for every practical purpose of religion if we can show, as we
+have endeavored to do in this lecture, how the present system of the world
+for a fallen being illustrates, instead of disproving, the divine
+benevolence.
+
+Here, then, is the resolution of some of the darkest enigmas of human
+existence, which philosophy, unaided by revelation, has never solved. Here
+we get hold of the thread that conducts us through the most crooked
+labyrinths of life, and enables us to let into the deepest dungeons of
+despondency and doubt, the light of hope and of heaven.
+
+Here, too, we find the powerful glass by which we can pierce the clouds
+that have so long obscured the full-orbed splendors of the divine
+benevolence. To some, indeed,--and they sagacious philosophers,--that
+cloud has seemed surcharged only with vengeance. And even to those who
+have caught occasional glimpses of the noble orb behind, the cloud over
+its face has always seemed to be tinged with some angry rays. Indeed, so
+long as this is a sinful state, justice will not allow all the glories of
+the divine goodness to be revealed. And yet, through the glass which
+philosophy and faith have put into our hands, we can see that the disk is
+a full-orbed circle, and that no spots mar and darken its clear surface.
+How gloriously, then, when all those clouds shall have passed away, and
+the last taint of evil shall have been blotted out by the final
+conflagration, shall that sun, in the new heavens, send down its light and
+heat upon the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness!
+
+On the other hand, how sad the prospect which the analogies of this
+subject open before him who misimproves his earthly probation, and goes
+out of the world unprepared for a higher and purer state of existence! If
+we can see reasons why on earth God should mingle goodness and severity in
+this man's lot, we can also see reasons why the manifestations of
+benevolence should all be withdrawn when he passes into a state of
+retribution. For if an individual can resist the mighty influences for
+good which the present state of discipline affords, and only become worse
+under them all, his case is utterly hopeless, and Heaven can do no more,
+consistently with the eternal principles of the divine government, to
+save him. Infinite benevolence gives him over, and no longer holds back
+the sword of retributive justice. Nay, the justice which inflicts the
+punishment is only benevolence in another form. And this it is that makes
+the infliction intolerable. How much more terrible to the wayward child
+are the blows inflicted by a weeping, affectionate father, than if
+received from an enemy! God is that affectionate Father; and he punishes
+only because he loves the universe more than the individual; and he has
+exhausted the stores of infinite mercy in vain to save him. Wicked men
+sometimes tell us that they are not afraid to trust themselves in the
+hands of infinite benevolence; whereas it is eminently this quality of the
+divine character which, above all others, they have reason to fear. For
+if, even in this world of probation and hope, God finds it necessary to
+mingle so much severity with goodness, what but a cup of unmingled
+bitterness shall be put into his hands who goes into eternity unrenewed
+and unpardoned, and finds that even infinite benevolence has become his
+eternal enemy!
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE VIII.
+
+UNITY OF THE DIVINE PLAN AND OPERATION IN ALL AGES OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY.
+
+
+Contrivance, adaptation, and design are some of the most striking features
+of the natural world. They are obvious throughout the whole range of
+creation, in the minutest as well as in the most magnificent objects; in
+the most complicated as well as in the most simple. So universally present
+are they, that whenever we meet with any thing in nature which seems
+imperfectly adapted to other objects, as the organ of an animal or plant,
+which exhibits malformation, it excites general attention, and the mere
+child need not be told that, in its want of adaptation to other objects,
+it is an exception in the natural world.
+
+In order to illustrate what I mean by contrivance, adaptation, and design,
+let me refer to a familiar example--the human eye. Made up of three coats
+and three humors, of solids and fluids, of nerves, blood-vessels, and
+muscles, and rivalling the most perfect optical instrument, it must have
+required the most consummate contrivance to give the requisite quantity
+and position to parts so numerous and unlike, for producing the phenomena
+of vision. Yet how perfectly it is done! How few, out of the hundreds of
+millions of eyes of men and other animals, fail of vision through any
+natural defect!
+
+No less marvellous are the adaptations of the eye. In order to be adapted
+to the wonderful effect which we call light, its coats and humors must be
+transparent, and possess a certain density and opacity, that the rays may
+form an image on the retina. Yet to prevent confusion in the image, the
+transparency must be confined to the central parts of the eye, and a dark
+plexus of veins and muscles must be so situated as to absorb the
+scattering rays. In order to adapt the eye to different distances, and to
+the greater or less intensity of the light, delicate muscles must be so
+situated as to contract and dilate the pupil, and lengthen and shorten the
+axis. That the eye might be directed to different objects, strong muscles
+must be attached to its posterior surface; and that the eyelid might
+defend it from injuries in front, a very peculiar muscle must give it
+power to close. No less perfect is the adaptation of the eye to the
+atmosphere, or, rather, there is a mutual adaptation; and it is as proper
+to say that the atmosphere is adapted to the eye, as that the eye is
+adapted to the atmosphere. In like manner, there is a striking relation
+between the eye and the sun and other heavenly bodies, and between the eye
+and day and night; so that we cannot doubt but they were made for one
+another. We might, indeed, extend the relations of the eye to every object
+in the universe; and the same may be said of every organ of plants and
+animals. The adaptation between them is as wide as creation. And it is the
+wonderful harmony between so many millions of objects that makes us feel
+that infinite wisdom alone could have produced it.
+
+The design of the multiplied contrivances and adaptations exhibited by the
+eye is too obvious to need a formal statement. Comparatively few
+understand the wonderful mechanism of the eye; but we should consider it
+proof of idiotism, or insanity, for the weakest mind to doubt what is the
+object of the eye. This is, to be sure, a striking example. But out of
+the many organs of animals, how few are there of which we do not see the
+design! And as the subject is more examined, the few excepted cases are
+made still fewer. They are more numerous in plants, because we cannot so
+well understand them, and because of their microscopic littleness. They
+are so few, however, throughout all nature, that they never produce a
+doubt that, for every individual thing in creation, there is a distinct
+object. If we confine our views to the most simple parts of matter, we can
+see design in them. If we take a wider view, and examine those minor
+systems which are produced by the grouping of the elements of matter, we
+shall see design there; and if we rise still higher in our examination,
+and compare systems still more extensive, until we group all material
+things, wise and beautiful design is still inscribed upon all. In fine,
+creation is but a series of harmonies, wheel within wheel, in countless
+variety, yet all forming one vast and perfect machine. Examine nature as
+widely and as minutely as we may, we never find one part clashing with
+another part; no laws, governing one portion of creation, different from
+those governing the others. Amid nature's infinitely diversified
+productions and operations we find but one original model or pattern. As
+Dr. Paley finely expresses it, "We never get amongst such original or
+totally different modes of existence as to indicate that we are come into
+the province of a different Creator, or under the direction of a different
+will." All appears to have been the work of one mighty mind, capable of
+devising and creating the vast system so perfectly that every part shall
+beautifully harmonize with every other part; a mind capable of holding in
+its capacious grasp at once the entire system, and seeing the relation and
+dependence of all its parts, from the minutest atom up to the mightiest
+world. In short, the unity of design which pervades all creation is
+perfect, more so than we witness in the most finished machine of human
+construction; for
+
+  "In human works, though labored on with pain,
+  A thousand movements scarce one object gain;
+  In God's, one single can its end produce,
+  Yet serves to second too some other use."
+
+Such are the wonderful contrivance, adaptation, and design which the
+material world every where exhibits. But the geologist carries us back
+through periods of immense antiquity, and digs out from the deep strata
+evidences of other systems of organic life, which have flourished and
+passed away; other economies, which have existed on the globe anterior to
+the present. And how was it with these? Had they any relation to the
+existing system? Were they governed by different laws, or are they all but
+parts of one great and harmonious system, embracing the whole of the
+earth's past duration? We could not decide these questions beforehand; but
+geology brings to light unequivocal evidence that the latter supposition
+is the true one; that is, in the language of the poet,--
+
+  "All are but parts of one stupendous whole,
+  Whose body nature is, and God the soul."
+
+To present the evidence of this conclusion will be my object in this
+lecture.
+
+_In the first place, the laws of chemistry and crystallography,
+electricity and magnetism, have ever been the same in all past conditions
+of the earth._
+
+Chemistry has attained to such a degree of perfection that the analyst
+can now determine the composition of the various vegetable, animal, and
+mineral substances which he meets, with an extreme degree of accuracy. In
+many instances, he can do this in two ways. He can always separate the
+elements which exist in a compound, and ascertain their relative quantity;
+and this is called _analysis_. And sometimes he can take those elements
+and cause them to unite, so as to form a particular compound; and this is
+called _synthesis_. By these methods he has ascertained that, amid the
+vast variety of substances in nature, there are only about sixty-four
+which cannot be reduced to a more simple form, and are therefore called
+_elements_, or simple substances. Now, the chemist finds that, when these
+elements unite to form compounds, certain fixed laws are invariably
+followed. They combine in definite quantities, which are always the same,
+or some multiple of the same weight; so that each element has its peculiar
+and invariable combining weight; and it cannot be made to combine in any
+other proportion. You may mix two or more elements together in any
+proportion, but it is only a certain definite quantity of each that will
+combine, while the rest will remain in excess. Hence the same compound
+substance, from whatever part of the world it comes, or under however
+diverse circumstances produced, consists of the same ingredients in the
+same proportion. These laws are followed with mathematical precision, and
+we have reason to believe that the same compound substance, produced in
+different parts of the world, never differs in its composition by the
+smallest conceivable particle. Indeed, with the exception of the planetary
+motions and crystallography, chemical combination is the most perfect
+example of practical mathematics to be found in nature.
+
+Such are the laws which the chemist finds invariably to regulate all the
+changes that now take place in the constitution of bodies. What evidence
+is there that the same laws have ever prevailed? In the rocks we have
+chemical compounds, produced in all ages of the world's history, since
+fire and water began to form solid masses. Now, these may be, and have
+been, analyzed; and the same laws of definite proportion in the
+ingredients, which now operate, are found to have controlled their
+formation. The oldest granite and gneiss, which must have been the
+earliest rocks produced, are just as invariable in their composition as
+the most recent salt formed in the laboratory. And the same is true of the
+silicates, the carbonates, the sulphates, the oxides, chlorides,
+fluorides, and other compounds which constitute the rocks of different
+ages. We never find any produced under the operation of different laws.
+
+Now, the almost invariable opinion among chemists is, that the reason why
+the elements unite thus definitely is, that they are in different
+electrical states, and therefore attract one another. Hence the most
+important laws of electricity have been coeval with those of chemistry;
+indeed, they are identical; nor can we doubt, if such be the fact, that
+every other electrical law has remained unchanged from the beginning. And
+from the intimate connection, if not complete identity, between
+electricity and magnetism, it is impossible to doubt that the laws which
+regulate the latter are of equal antiquity with those of the former.
+Indeed, we find evidence in all the rocks, especially those which are
+prismatic and concretionary, of the active influence of galvanism and
+electro-magnetism in their production.
+
+The reasoning is equally decisive to prove the unchanging character of the
+laws which regulate the formation of crystals. The chemist finds that the
+same substance, when it crystallizes, invariably takes the same
+geometrical forms. The nucleus or primary form, with a few exceptions, of
+no importance in the present argument, to which all these secondary forms
+may be reduced by change, is one particular solid, with unvarying angles;
+and all the secondary forms, built upon the primary, correspond in their
+angles. In short, in crystallography we have another example of perfect
+practical mathematics, as perfect as the theory.
+
+Now, the oldest rocks in the globe contain crystals, and so do the rocks
+of all ages, sometimes of the same kind as those produced in the chemist's
+laboratory. And they are found to correspond precisely. It matters not
+whether they were the produce of nature's laboratory countless ages ago,
+or of the skill of the nineteenth century,--the same mathematics ruled in
+their formation with a precision which infinite wisdom alone could secure.
+
+_In the second place, the laws of meteorology have ever been the same as
+at present._
+
+Under meteorological laws I include all atmospheric phenomena. And
+although we have no direct proof from geology in respect to the more rare
+of these phenomena, such as the aurora borealis and australis, and
+transient meteors, yet in respect to the existence of clouds, wind, and
+rain, the evidence is quite striking. In several places in Europe, and in
+many in this country, are found, upon layers of the new red sandstone, the
+distinct impressions of rain drops, made when the rock was fine mud. They
+correspond precisely with the indentations which falling rain-drops now
+make upon mud, and they show us that the phenomena of clouds and storms
+existed in that remote period, and that the vapor was condensed as at
+present. In the fact that the animals entombed in the rocks of various
+ages are found to have had organs of respiration, we also infer the
+existence of an atmosphere analogous to that which we now breathe. The
+rain-drops enable us to proceed one step farther; for often they are
+elongated in one direction, showing that they struck the ground obliquely,
+doubtless in consequence of wind. In short, the facts stated enable us to
+infer, with strong probability, that atmospheric phenomena were then
+essentially the same as at present; and analogy leads us to a similar
+conclusion as to all the past periods of the world's history, certainly
+since animals were placed upon it. What a curious register do these
+rain-drops present us! an engraving on stone of a shower that fell
+thousands and thousands of ages ago! They often become, too, an
+anemoscope, pointing out the direction of the wind, while the petrified
+surface shows us just how many drops fell, quite as accurately as the most
+delicate pluviameter. What events in the earth's pre-Adamic history would
+seem less likely to come down to us than the pattering of a shower?
+
+_In the third place, the agents of geological change appear to have been
+always the same on the earth._
+
+Whoever goes into a careful examination of the rocks will soon become
+satisfied that no fragment of them all remains in the condition in which
+it was originally created. Whatever was the original form in which matter
+was produced, there is no longer any example of it to be found. The
+evidence of these changes is as strong almost as that constant changes are
+going on in human society. And we find them constantly progressing among
+the rocks, as well as among men; nor do the agents by which they are
+produced appear to have been ever different from those now in operation.
+The two most important are heat and water; and it is doubtful whether
+there is a single particle of the globe which has not experienced the
+metamorphic action of the one or the other. Indeed, it is nearly certain
+that every portion of the globe has been melted, if not volatilized. All
+the unstratified rocks have certainly been fused, and probably all the
+stratified rocks originated from the unstratified, and have been modified
+by water and heat. In many of these rocks, especially the oldest, we
+perceive evidence of the joint action of both these agents. Evidently they
+were once aqueous deposits; but they appear to have been subsequently
+subjected to powerful heat. As we ascend on the scale of the stratified
+rocks, the marks of fire diminish, and those of water multiply, so that
+the latest are mere mechanical or chemical depositions from water.
+
+In these facts, then, we see proof that heat and water have been the chief
+agents of geological change since the first formation of a solid crust on
+the globe; for some of the rocks now accessible, as already stated, date
+their origin at that early period. We might also trace back the agency of
+heat much farther, if the hypothesis adopted by not a few eminent
+geologists be true, which supposes the earth to have been once in a
+gaseous state from intense heat. But to press this point will add very
+little to my argument, even could I sustain it by plausible reasoning. I
+will only say, that, so far as we know any thing of the state of the earth
+previous to the consolidation of its crust, heat appears to have been the
+chief agent concerned in its geological changes.
+
+Among other agencies of less importance, that have always operated
+geologically, is gravity. Its chief effect, at present is to bring the
+earth's surface nearer and nearer to a level, by causing the materials,
+which other agencies have loosened from its salient parts, to subside into
+its cavities and valleys. It also condenses many substances from a gaseous
+to a liquid or solid state, especially those deep in the earth's crust,
+and thus brings the particles more within the reach of cohesive
+attraction and chemical affinity, often changing the constitution, and
+always the solidity, of bodies. And in the position of the ancient
+mechanical rocks, occupying as they do the former basins of the surface,
+and in the superior consolidation of the earlier strata, we find proof of
+the action of gravity in all past geological time.
+
+Electricity too, in the form of galvanism, has never been idle. We have
+reason to think that it operates at this moment in accumulating metallic
+ores in veins; and this segregation appears to have operated in all ages,
+not only in filling veins, but also, probably, in giving a laminated
+character and jointed structure to mountains of slate, as well as a
+concretionary and prismatic form to others.
+
+Last, though not least, we may reckon among the agents of geological
+change the forces of cohesion and affinity. When water and heat, gravity
+and galvanism, have brought the atoms of bodies into a proper state, these
+agents are always ready to change their form and constitution; and they
+have ever been at hand to operate by the same laws, and we witness their
+effects in the oldest as well as the newest rocks found in the earth's
+crust. This point, however, has been sufficiently considered, when
+treating of the unvarying uniformity of the laws of chemistry and
+crystallography.
+
+But though the nature of the agencies above considered has never changed,
+the intensity or amount of their action has varied; how much is a point
+not yet settled among geologists. Some regard that intensity, as it has
+existed during the present or alluvial period, as a standard for all
+preceding periods; that is, the intensity of these forces has never varied
+more during any period of the earth's history than it has since the
+alluvial period commenced. Most geologists, however, regard this as an
+extreme opinion, and think they see evidence in geology of a far greater
+intensity in these agencies in past periods than exists at present. They
+think they have proof that the world was once only a molten mass of
+matter, and some evidence that previously it was in a state of vapor. They
+believe that vast mountains, and even continents, have sometimes been
+thrown up from the ocean's bed by a single mighty paroxysmal effort; and
+such effects they know to be far greater than the causes of change now in
+operation can produce, without a vast increase of their intensity. But
+this question need neither be discussed nor decided for the sake of my
+present argument, since my object is to prove an identity in the nature
+and laws, not in the intensity, of geological agencies.
+
+_In the fourth place, the laws of zoology and botany have always been the
+same on the globe._
+
+An examination of the animals now living, amounting to some hundred
+thousand species, perhaps to one or two millions, shows that they may be
+arranged in four great classes. The first class embraces the vertebral
+animals, distinguished by having a vertebral column, or back-bone, a
+regular skeleton, and a regular nervous system. It comprehends all the
+quadrupeds and bipeds, with man at their head, and is much superior to all
+other classes in complexity of organization and strength of the mental
+powers. The second class embraces the mollusks, or animals inhabiting
+shells. They are destitute of a spinal marrow, and for the most part their
+muscles are attached to the external covering, called the shell, although
+this shell is sometimes internal. The third class are called articulated
+animals, having envelopes connected by annulated plates, or rings. It
+includes such animals as the lobster, bloodsucker, spider, and insects
+generally. The fourth class have a radiated structure, and often resemble
+plants, or their habitation is a stony structure. Hence they are sometimes
+called zoophytes, which means _animal plants_; or lithophytes, which means
+_stony plants_. They swarm in the ocean, and some of them build up those
+extensive stony structures called coral reefs.
+
+Now, if we examine the descriptions of the organic remains in the rocks,
+we find that in all ages of the world these four great classes of animals
+have existed. But in the earliest times, the three last classes--the
+mollusks, the articulated, and the radiated tribes--vastly preponderated,
+while the vertebral class had only a few representatives; and it is not
+till we rise as high as the new red sandstone, that we meet with any,
+except fishes, save a few batrachians in the old red sandstone, and the
+carboniferous group, detected alone by their tracks. Then the reptiles
+began to appear in abundance, with tortoises and enormous birds of a low
+organization, but no mammiferous animal is found, until we reach the
+oolite; and scarcely any till we rise to the tertiary strata, when they
+became abundant; but not so numerous as at present, though for the most
+part of larger size. Thus we find that the more perfect animals have been
+developed gradually, becoming more and more complex as we rise on the
+scale of the rocks. But in the three other classes, there does not appear
+to have been much advance upon the original types, although in numbers and
+variety there has been a great increase.
+
+The plants now growing upon the globe, amounting probably to nearly one
+hundred thousand species, are divided into two great classes, by a very
+decided character. Some of them have distinct flowers, and others are
+destitute of them. The former are called phenogamian, or flowering plants;
+and the latter cryptogamian, or flowerless plants.
+
+At present, the flowering plants very much predominate in the flora of
+every country. But in the earliest periods of organic existence, the
+reverse was the case. We find, indeed but very few flowering plants, and
+these of a character somewhat intermediate between flowering and
+flowerless; such as the coniferae and cycadeae, including the pine tribe. A
+few palms appeared almost as early, and some other monocotyledons. But
+most of the dicotyledons did not appear till the tertiary period, where
+more than two hundred species have been found. Of the three hundred
+species found in and beneath the carboniferous group, two thirds are tree
+ferns, or gigantic equisetaceae. More than one third of the entire flora of
+the secondary formation consists of cycadeae; whereas, this family of
+plants forms not more than the two thousandth part of the existing flora.
+In short, we find the more perfect plants as well as animals to be few in
+the earliest periods, and to have been gradually introduced up to the
+present time. But as to the flowerless plants, most of them seem to have
+been as perfect at first as they now are.
+
+These facts teach us conclusively that the outlines of organic life on the
+globe have always been the same; that the great classes of animals and
+plants have always had their representatives, and that the variations
+which have been introduced, have been merely adaptations to the varying
+condition of the earth's surface. The higher and more complex natures,
+both of animals and plants, were not introduced at first, because the
+surface was not adapted to their existence; and they were brought in only
+as circumstances, favorable to their development, prepared the way.
+
+There is another fact of great interest on this subject. Even a cursory
+examination of the animals and plants now on the globe, shows such a
+gradation of their characters that they form a sort of chain, extending
+from the most to the least perfect species. But we see at once that the
+links of this chain are of very unequal length; or, rather, that there are
+in some instances wide intervals between the nearest species, as if one or
+more links had dropped out. How remarkable that some of these lost links
+should be found among the fossil species! I will refer to a few examples.
+
+Among existing animals no genera or tribes are more widely separated than
+those with thick skins, denominated pachydermata; such as the rhinoceros
+and the elephant. But among the fossil animals of the tertiary strata,
+this tribe of animals was much more common; and many of them fill up the
+blanks in the existing families, and thus render more perfect and uniform
+the great chain of being which binds together into one great system the
+present and past periods of organic life.
+
+A similar case occurs among fossil plants. In tropical climates we find a
+few species--not much over twenty--of a singular family of plants, the
+cycadeae connecting the great families of coniferae, or dicotyledons, with
+the palms, which are monocotyledonous, and the ferns, which are
+acotyledonous. The chasm, however, between those great and dissimilar
+classes of plants is but imperfectly filled by the few living species of
+cycadeae. But of the fossil species hitherto found above the coal
+formation, almost one half are cycadeae; so that here, too, the lost links
+of the chain are supplied.
+
+"Facts like these," says Dr. Buckland, "are inestimably precious to the
+natural theologian, for they identify, as it were, the Artificer, by
+details of manipulation throughout his works. They appeal to the
+physiologist, in language more commanding than human eloquence; the voice
+of very stocks and stones, that have been buried for countless ages in the
+deep recesses of the earth, proclaiming the universal agency of one
+all-directing, all-sustaining Creator, in whose will and power these
+harmonious systems originated, and by whose universal providence they are,
+and have at all times been, maintained."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, vol. i.
+p. 502.
+
+One other fact, showing the identity of former zoological laws with those
+which now prevail, must not be omitted. I refer to the existence on the
+globe in all past periods of organic life of the two great classes of
+carnivorous and herbivorous animals; and they have always existed, too, in
+about the same proportion. To the harmony and happiness of the present
+system, we know that the existence and proper relative number of these
+different classes are indispensable. For in order that the greatest
+possible number of animals that live on vegetable food should exist, they
+must possess the power of rapid multiplication, so that there should be
+born a much larger number than is necessary to people the earth. But if
+there existed no carnivorous races to keep in check this redundancy of
+population, the world would soon become so filled with the herbivorous
+races that famine would be the consequence, and thus a much greater amount
+of suffering result than the sudden death inflicted by carnivorous races
+now produces. To preserve, then, a proper balance between the different
+species is, doubtless, the object of the creation of the carnivorous. This
+system has been aptly denominated "the police of nature." And we find it
+to have always existed. The earliest vertebral animals--the sauroid fishes
+and sharks--were of this description. The sharks have always lived, but
+the sauroid fishes became less numerous when other marine saurians were
+created; and when they both nearly disappeared, during the tertiary
+period, other predaceous families were introduced, more like those now in
+existence.
+
+The history of the mollusks, or animals inhabiting shells, furnishes us
+with an example still more striking. These animals, as they now exist, are
+divisible into the two great classes of carnivorous and herbivorous
+species, being distinguished by their anatomical structure; and so has it
+ever been. In the fossiliferous rocks below the tertiary, we find immense
+numbers of nautili, ammonites, and other kindred genera of polythalamous
+shells, called cephalopods, which were all carnivorous. And when they
+nearly disappeared with the cretaceous period, there was created another
+race with carnivorous propensities and organs, called trachelipods; and
+those continue still to swarm in the ocean. Had they not appeared when the
+cephalopods passed away, the herbivorous tribes would have multiplied to
+such an extent as ultimately to destroy marine vegetation, and bring on
+famine among themselves.
+
+These examples are sufficient to prove the existence of the carnivorous
+and herbivorous races in all ages and in about the same relative numbers.
+And it certainly furnishes most decisive evidence of the oneness of all
+these systems of organic life on the globe.
+
+_In the fifth place, the laws of anatomy have always been the same since
+organic structures began to exist._
+
+It had long been known that the organs of animals were beautifully adapted
+to perform the functions for which they were intended. But it was not till
+the investigations of Baron Cuvier, within the last half century, that it
+was known how mathematically exact is the relation between the different
+parts of the animal frame, nor how precise are the laws of variation in
+the different species, by which they are fitted to different elements,
+climates, and food. It is now well known, that each animal structure
+contains a perfect system of correlation, and yet the whole forms a
+harmonious part of the entire animal system on the globe. But the
+language of Cuvier himself will best elucidate this subject, so far as it
+is capable of popular explanation.
+
+"Every organized individual," says he, "forms an entire system of its own;
+all the parts of which mutually correspond, and concur to produce a
+certain definite purpose, by reciprocal reaction, or by combining towards
+the same end. Hence none of these separate parts can change their forms
+without a corresponding change in the other parts of the same animal, and
+consequently each of these parts, taken separately, indicates all the
+other parts to which it has belonged. Thus, if the viscera of any animal
+are so organized as only to be fitted for the digestion of recent flesh,
+it is also requisite that the jaws should be so constructed as to fit them
+for devouring prey; the claws must be constructed for seizing and tearing
+it to pieces; the teeth for cutting and dividing its flesh; the entire
+system of the limbs, or organs of motion, for pursuing and overtaking it;
+and the organs of sense, for discovering it at a distance. Nature, also,
+must have endowed the brain of the animal with instinct sufficient for
+concealing itself, and for laying plans to catch its necessary victims.
+
+"In order that the jaw may be well adapted for laying hold of objects, it
+is necessary that its condyle should have a certain form; that the
+resistance, the moving power, and the fulcrum, should have a certain
+relative position with respect to each other, and that the temporal
+muscles should be of a certain size; the hollow, or depression, too, in
+which these muscles are lodged, must have a certain depth; and the
+zygomatic arch, under which they pass, must not only have a certain degree
+of convexity, but it must be sufficiently strong to support the action of
+the masseter.
+
+"To enable the animal to carry of its prey when seized, a corresponding
+force is requisite in the muscles which elevate the head; and this
+necessarily gives rise to a determinate form of the vertebrae, to which
+these muscles are attached, and of the occiput into which they are
+inserted.
+
+"In order that the teeth of a carnivorous animal may be able to cut the
+flesh, they require to be sharp, more or less so in proportion to the
+greater or less quantity of flesh which they have to cut. It is requisite
+that their roots should be solid and strong, in proportion to the greater
+quantity and size of the bones which they have to break to pieces. The
+whole of these circumstances must necessarily influence the development
+and form of all the parts which contribute to move the jaws.
+
+"To enable the claws of a carnivorous animal to seize its prey, a
+considerable degree of mobility is necessary in their paws and toes, and a
+considerable strength in the claws themselves. From these circumstances,
+there necessarily result certain determinate forms in all the bones of
+their paws, and in the distribution of the muscles and tendons by which
+they are moved. The fore arm must possess a certain facility of moving in
+various directions, and consequently requires certain determinate forms in
+the bones of which it is composed. As the bones of the fore arm are
+articulated with the arm bone, or humerus, no change can take place in the
+form or structure of the former, without occasioning correspondent changes
+in the form of the latter. The shoulder-blade, also, or scapula, requires
+a correspondent degree of strength in all animals destined for catching
+prey, by which it likewise must necessarily have an appropriate form. The
+play and action of all these parts require certain proportions in the
+muscles which set them in motion, and the impressions formed by these
+muscles must still farther determine the form of all these bones.
+
+"After these observations it will easily be seen that similar conclusions
+may be drawn with respect to the hinder limbs of carnivorous animals,
+which require particular conformations to fit them for rapidity of motion
+in general; and that similar considerations must influence the forms and
+connections of the vertebrae and other bones constituting the trunk of the
+body, and to fit them for flexibility and readiness of motion in all
+directions. The bones, also, of the nose, of the orbit, and of the ears,
+require certain forms and structures to fit them for giving perfection to
+the senses of smell, sight, and hearing, so necessary to animals of prey.
+In short, the shape and structure of the teeth regulate the forms of the
+condyle, of the shoulder-blade, and the claws, in the same manner as the
+equation of a curve regulates all its other properties; and as, in regard
+to a particular curve, all its properties may be ascertained by assuming
+each separate property as the foundation of a particular equation, in the
+same manner a claw, a shoulder-blade, a condyle, a leg, an arm bone, or
+any other bone, separately considered, enables us to discover the
+description of teeth to which they have belonged; and so, also,
+reciprocally, we may determine the form of the other bones from the teeth.
+Thus commencing our investigations by a careful survey of any one bone by
+itself, a person who is sufficiently master of the laws of organic
+structure may, as it were, reconstruct the whole animal to which that bone
+had belonged."
+
+After applying the same principle to animals with hoofs, Cuvier comes to a
+conclusion even more surprising. "Hence," says he, "any one who observes
+merely the print of a cloven hoof, may conclude that it has been left by a
+ruminant animal, and regard the conclusion as equally certain with any
+other in physics or in morals. Consequently this single footmark clearly
+indicates to the observer the forms of the teeth, of all the leg bones,
+thighs, shoulders, and of the trunk of the body of the animal which left
+the mark. It is much surer than all the marks of Zadig.
+
+"By thus employing the method of observation, where theory is no longer
+able to direct our views, we procure astonishing, results. The smallest
+fragment of bone, even the most apparently insignificant apophysis,
+possesses a fixed and determinate character relative to the class, order,
+genus, and species of the animal to which it belonged; insomuch that when
+we find merely the extremity of a well-preserved bone, we are able, by a
+careful examination, assisted by analogy and exact comparison, to
+determine the species to which it once belonged, as certainly as if we had
+the entire animal before us. Before venturing to put entire confidence in
+this method of investigation, in regard to fossil bones, I have very
+frequently tried it with portions of bones belonging to well-known
+animals, and always with such complete success, that I now entertain no
+doubts with regard to the results which it affords."
+
+The remarkable correlation between the parts of existing animals having
+been thus proved by the most rigid and satisfactory tests, we shall
+inquire with interest for the result, when Cuvier applied the same
+principles to the fossil animals. If the laws of anatomical structure were
+the same when these extinct races lived as they now are, these principles
+will apply equally well to the bones found in the rocks; and though often
+only scattered fragments are brought to light, the anatomist will be able
+to reconstruct the whole animal, and present him to our view. Cuvier was
+the first who solved this problem. The quarries around Paris had furnished
+a vast number of bones of strange animals, and these were thrown
+promiscuously into the collections of that city. Well prepared by previous
+study, this distinguished anatomist went among them with the inquiry, _Can
+these bones live?_ The spirit of scientific prophecy was upon him, and, as
+he uttered his inspirations, _there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and
+the bones came together, bone to his bone. And the sinews and the flesh
+came upon them, and the skin covered them._ "I found myself," says he, "as
+if placed in a charnel-house, surrounded by mutilated fragments of many
+hundred skeletons of more than twenty kinds of animals, piled confusedly
+around me. The task assigned me was to restore them all to their original
+position. At the voice of comparative anatomy, every bone and fragment of
+a bone resumed its place. I cannot find words to express the pleasure I
+experienced in seeing, as I discovered one character, how all the
+consequences which I predicted from it were successively confirmed; the
+feet were found in accordance with the characters announced by the teeth;
+the teeth in harmony with those indicated beforehand by the feet; the
+bones of the legs and thighs, and every connecting portion of the
+extremities, were found set together precisely as I had arranged them,
+before my conjectures were verified by the discovery of the parts entire;
+in short, each species was, as it were, reconstructed from a single one of
+its component elements."
+
+It is hardly necessary to say that, since this first successful
+experiment, the same principles have been more thoroughly investigated and
+extended with the same success into every department of fossil organic
+nature. The results which have crowned the labors of such men as Agassiz,
+Ehrenberg, Kaup, Goldfuss, Bronn, Blainville, Brongniart, Deshayes, and
+D'Orbigny, on the continent of Europe, and of Conybeare, Buckland,
+Mantell, Lindley, and Hutton, and eminently of Owen, in Great Britain,
+although sustained by the most rigid principles of science, are
+nevertheless but little short of miraculous; and they demonstrate most
+clearly the identity of anatomical laws, in all ages, among animals and
+plants of every size and character, from the lofty lepidodendra and
+sigillaria to the humblest moss or sea-weed, and from the gigantic
+dinotherium, mastodon, megatherium, and iguanodon, to the infinitesimal
+infusoria.
+
+_In the sixth place, physiological laws have always been the same upon the
+globe._
+
+That death has reigned in all past ages over all animated tribes, as it
+now reigns, so that in that war there has never been a discharge, I need
+not attempt formally to prove. For the preserved and petrified relics of
+all the former races, that now lie entombed in the rocks, furnish a silent
+but impressive demonstration of the former triumph of that great
+physiological law, which is stamped by the signet of Jehovah upon all
+existing organic natures--_Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
+return._
+
+Scarcely more necessary is it to attempt to show that the same system of
+reproduction for filling the chasms which death occasions, and which is
+now universal in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, has always existed.
+Indeed, such a system is a necessary counterpart to a system of
+dissolution. And we find the same phases to this reproductive system in
+ancient and in modern periods. Organic remains clearly teach us that there
+have always been viviparous as well as oviparous creatures, and
+gemmiparous as well as fissiparous animals and plants. The second great
+physiological law of existing nature has, then, always been the same.
+
+The character of the nourishment by which animals and plants have been
+sustained has never varied. The latter have ever been nourished by
+inorganic, and the former by organic, matter. Some animals have ever fed
+upon the flesh of other animals, as their petrified remains, enclosing the
+masticated and half-digested fragments of other animals, testify. Other
+tribes have fed only upon herbs or fruits; and some were omnivorous; just,
+in fact, as we find the habits of existing animals.
+
+No less certain are we that the processes of digestion and assimilation
+have ever been unchanged. We find the same organs for these purposes as in
+existing animals, viz., the mouth, the stomach, the intestines, and the
+blood-vessels, as the coprolites and the cololites abundantly testify. We
+infer, therefore, with great confidence, the existence of gastric juice
+and bile for completing the transformation of the food into blood. Indeed,
+the discovery by a lady (Miss Mary Anning, of England) of that singular
+secretion from which the color called _India ink_ is prepared, with the
+ink-bag of the sepia, or loligo, in a petrified state, shows that the
+process of secretion existed in these ancient animals; and when we find
+that in all respects their structure was like that of existing animals,
+although some of the softer vessels have not been preserved, we cannot
+doubt but the entire process of digestion, and the conversion of blood
+into bone, nerve, and muscle, was precisely the same as it now is.
+
+In the fact, also, that we find in fossil specimens organs of respiration,
+such as lungs, gills, and trachea, we learn that the process of a
+circulation of blood, and its purification by means of the oxygen of the
+atmosphere, have never varied. Animal heat, too, dependent as it is
+essentially upon this oxygenating process, was always derived from the
+same source as at present.
+
+The perfectly preserved minute vessels of vegetables enable us, by means
+of the microscope, to identify them with the plants now alive; and they
+prove, too, incontestably, that the nourishment of vegetables has always
+been of the same kind, and has been converted into the various proximate
+principles of plants by the same processes.
+
+Again. We have evidence that these ancient animals possessed the same
+senses as their congeneric races now on the globe. We have one good
+example in which that most delicate organ, the eye, is most perfectly
+preserved. It is well known that the visual organ of insects and of
+crustaceans is composed of a multitude--often several hundreds or
+thousands--of eyes, united into one, so as to serve the purpose of a
+multiplying glass; each eye producing a separate image of the object
+observed. Such an eye had the trilobite. Each contained at least four
+hundred nearly spherical lenses on the surface of the cornea, united into
+one organ; revealing to us the interesting fact, that the relations of
+light to animal organization were the same in that remote era as they now
+are.
+
+But I need not multiply proof of the functional identity of organic nature
+in all ages. It may, however, be inquired, how this identity, as well as
+that of anatomical structure, is reconciled with the great anomalies, both
+in size and form, which have confessedly prevailed among ancient animals.
+Compare the plants and animals which now occupy the northern parts of the
+globe with those which flourished there in the remote periods of
+geological history, and can we believe them to be portions of one great
+system of organic nature?
+
+Compare, for instance, the thirty or forty species of ferns now growing to
+the height of a few inches, or one or two feet, in Europe and this
+country, with the more than two hundred species already dug out of the
+coal mines, many of which were forty to forty-five feet in height; or the
+diminutive ground pines, and equiseta, now scarcely noticed in our
+forests, with the gigantic lepidodendron, sigillaria, calamites, and
+equiseta, of the carboniferous period; and who will not be struck with the
+great difference between them?
+
+Or go to Germany, and imagine the bones of the dinotherium to start out of
+the soil, and become clothed with flesh and instinct with life. You have
+before you a quadruped eighteen feet in length, and of proportional
+height, much larger than the elephant, and with curved tusks reaching two
+or three feet below its lower jaw, while no other living animal would be
+found there larger than the ox, or the horse--mere pygmies by the side of
+such a monster, and evidently unfit to be his contemporaries.
+
+Again. Let the megatherium be brought back to life on the pampas of South
+America, and you have an animal twelve feet long and eight feet high, with
+proportions perfectly colossal. Its fore feet were a yard long, its thigh
+bone three times thicker than that of the elephant, its width across the
+haunches five feet, its spinal marrow a foot in diameter, and its tail,
+where it was inserted into the body, two feet in diameter. What a giant in
+comparison with the sloth, the anteater, and the armadillo, to which it
+was allied by anatomical structure!
+
+Still more unequal in size, as compared with living batrachians, was the
+labyrinthidon, once common in England and Germany, if, indeed, the tracks
+on sandstone were made by that animal. It was, in fact, a frog as large as
+an ox, and perhaps as large as an elephant. Think of such animals swarming
+in our morasses at the present day!
+
+But coming back from Europe, and turning our thoughts to the animals that
+trod along the shores of the estuary that once washed the base of Mount
+Holyoke, in New England, we shall encounter an animal, probably of the
+batrachian family, of more gigantic proportions. It was the _Otozoum
+Moodii_, a biped, with feet twenty inches long, more than twice the size
+of those of the labyrinthidon; yet its tracks on the imperishable
+sandstone show that such a giant once trod upon the muddy shore of that
+ancient estuary.
+
+Along that same shore, also, enormous struthious birds moved in flocks,
+making strides from three to five feet long, with feet eighteen inches
+long, lifting their heads, it may be, from twelve to eighteen feet above
+the ground, surpassing, as it appears, even the gigantic dinornis of New
+Zealand, now that the feet of the latter have been discovered. I refer to
+the _Brontozoum giganteum_, whose tracks are so common on the new red
+sandstone of the Connecticut valley. What dwarfs are we in comparison, who
+now consider ourselves lords of that valley!
+
+Still more remarkable for peculiarities of structure was the tribe of
+saurians, which were once so numerous in the northern parts of Europe and
+America. The ichthyosaurus, a carnivorous marine reptile, sometimes thirty
+feet long, had the snout of a porpoise, the teeth of a crocodile, the head
+of a lizard, the vertebrae of a fish, the sternum of an ornithorhynchus,
+and the paddles of a whale. Those paddles, corresponding to the fins of a
+fish, or the web feet of water birds, were composed, each of them, of more
+than one hundred bones. In short, we find in this animal a combination of
+mechanical contrivances, which are now found among three distinct classes
+of the animal kingdom. Its eye, also, having an orbital cavity, in one
+species, of fourteen inches in its longest diameter, was proportionally
+larger than that of any living animal.
+
+The plesiosaurus had the general structure of the ichthyosaurus; but its
+neck was nearly as long as its whole body--longer, in proportion to its
+size, than even that of the swan.
+
+The iguanodon was an herbivorous terrestrial reptile that formerly
+inhabited England. It approaches nearest in structure to the iguana, a
+reptile four or five feet long, inhabiting the marine parts of this
+continent. Yet the iguanodon was thirty feet long, with a thigh six feet,
+and a body fourteen feet in circumference. What an alarm would it now
+produce, to have such a monster start into life in the forests of England,
+where no analogous animal could be found more than half a foot in length!
+Surely this must have been one of the fabulous monsters of antiquity.
+
+Still more heteroclitic and unlike existing nature was the pterodactyle, a
+small lizard, contemporary with the ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus. At one
+time anatomists regarded it as a bird, at another as a bat, and finally as
+a reptile, having the head and neck of a bird, the body and tail of a
+quadruped, the wings of a bat, and the teeth of a saurian reptile. With
+its wings it could fly or swim; it could walk on two feet or four; with
+its claws it could climb or creep. "Thus," says Dr. Buckland, "like
+Milton's fiend, all qualified for all services, and all elements, the
+pterodactyle was a fit companion for the kindred reptiles that swarmed in
+the seas, or crawled on the shores of a turbulent planet."
+
+                                        "The fiend,
+  O'er bog, or steep, through straight, rough, dense, or rare,
+  With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
+  And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies."
+
+Now, when the details of such facts are brought before us, it is very
+natural to feel that it is the history of monsters, and that the
+Centaurs, the Gorgons, and Chimeras of the ancients, are no more unlike
+existing animals than these resurrections from the rocks. But further
+examination rectifies our mistake, and we recognize them as parts of one
+great system. All the peculiarities of size, and structure, and form,
+which we meet, we find to be only wise and benevolent adaptations to the
+different circumstances in which animals have been placed. The gigantic
+size of many of them, compared with existing races, may be explained by
+the tropical, or even ultra tropical character of the climate; and not a
+single anomaly of structure and form can be pointed out, which did not
+contribute to the convenience and happiness of the species, in the
+circumstances in which they were placed. It is our ignorance and narrow
+views alone that give any of them the aspect of monsters. Listen to the
+opinion of Sir Charles Bell, one of the ablest of modern anatomists. "The
+animals of the antediluvian world," says he, "were not monsters; there is
+no _lusus_, or extravagance. Hideous as they appear to us, and like the
+phantoms of a dream, they were adapted to the condition of the earth when
+they existed." "Judging by these indications of the habits of the animals,
+we acquire a knowledge of the condition of the earth during their period
+of existence; that it was suited at one time to the scaly tribe of the
+lacertae, with languid motion; at another, to animals of higher
+organization, with more varied and lively habits; and, finally, we learn
+that, at any period previous to man's creation, the surface of the earth
+would have been unsuitable to him."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, pp. 35 and
+31.
+
+A similar view is given of this subject by England's geological poet,
+(Rev. Mr. Wilks,) in whose playful verses we find more of true science and
+just inference than in many a ponderous tome of grave prose. In one of
+his poems he says,--
+
+                                "Seamy coal,
+  Limestone, or oolite, and other sections,
+  Give us strange tidings of our old connections;
+  Our arborescent ferns, of climate torrid,
+  With unknown shapes of names and natures horrid;
+  Strange ichthyosaurus, or iguanodon,
+  With many more I cannot verse upon,--
+  Lost species and lost genera; some whose bias
+  Is chalk, marl, sandstone, gravel, or blue lias;
+  Birds, beasts, fish, insects, reptiles; fresh, marine,
+  Perfect as yesterday among us seen
+  In rock or cave; 'tis passing strange to me
+  How such incongruous mixture e'er could be.
+  And yet no medley was it: each its station
+  Once occupied in wise and meet location.
+  God is a God of order, though to scan
+  His works may pose the feeble powers of man."
+
+The facts and reasonings which have now been presented will sustain the
+following important inferences:--
+
+_In the first place, we learn that the notions which have so widely
+prevailed, in ancient and modern times, respecting a chaos, are without
+foundation._
+
+Among all heathen nations of antiquity, the belief in a primeval chaos was
+almost universal; and from the heathen philosophers it was transmitted to
+the Christian world, and incorporated with the Mosaic cosmogony. It is
+not, indeed, easy to ascertain what is the precise idea which has been
+attached to a chaos. It is generally described, however, as "a confused
+assemblage of elements," "an unformed and undigested mass of heterogeneous
+matter;" not, of course, subject to those laws which now govern it, and
+which have arranged it all in beautiful order, even if we leave out of
+the account vegetable and animal organization. Now, I have attempted to
+show that there never was a period on the globe when these laws, with the
+exception of the organic, did not operate as they now do. Nay, the
+geologist, when he examines the oldest rocks, finds the results of these
+laws at the supposed period when chaos reigned; that is, in the earliest
+times of our planet. And what are these results? The most splendid
+crystallizations which nature furnishes. The emerald, the topaz, the
+sapphire, and other kindred gems, were elaborated during the supposed
+chaotic state of the globe; for no earlier products have yet been
+discovered than these most perfect illustrations of crystallographical,
+chemical, and electrical laws. If, indeed, any should say, that by a chaos
+they mean only that state of the world when no animals or plants
+existed,--in other words, when no organic laws had been established,--to
+such a chaos I have no objection. And this is the chaos described in the
+Bible, where it is said that, before the creation of animals and plants,
+the earth was _without form and void_. The _tohu vau bohu_ of Moses, which
+is thus translated in our English Bible, means, simply and literally,
+_invisible and unfurnished_--_invisible_, both because the ocean covered
+the present land, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and
+_unfurnished_, because as yet no organic natures had been called into
+existence. This is the meaning which the old Jewish writers, as Philo and
+Josephus, attached to these words; and they have been followed by some of
+the ablest modern commentators. "It is wonderful," says Rosenmuller the
+elder, "that so many interpreters could have persuaded themselves that it
+was possible to detect a chaos in the words [Hebrew]. That notion
+unquestionably derived its origin from the fictions of the Greek and Latin
+poets, which were transferred by those interpreters to Moses. If we
+follow the practice of the language, the Hebrew phrase has this
+signification: _The earth was waste and desert_, or, as others prefer,
+_empty and vacuous_; that is, _uncultured and unfurnished_ with those
+things with which the Creator afterwards adorned it."--_Antiquiss. Tell.
+Hist._ p. 19-23.
+
+Upon the whole, there is no evidence whatever, either in nature or
+revelation, that the earth has ever been in a state corresponding to the
+common notions of a chaos; while, on the other hand, there is strong proof
+that the present laws of nature have been in operation from the beginning.
+These laws have varied in the intensity of their action, and we have
+strong reason to believe that organic laws did not always exist; but none
+of these laws have ever been suspended, to leave the elements to mix in
+wild disorder in a formless mass. It is high time that religion was freed
+from the indescribable incubus of a chaos.
+
+_Finally, the most important conclusion to which the mind is conducted by
+this subject is, that the present and past conditions of this world are
+only parts of one and the same great system of infinite wisdom and
+benevolence._
+
+We have seen that the same wise and benevolent laws, organic and
+inorganic, have always controlled, as they now control, this lower world.
+It is true we find modified conditions of the globe in its past history;
+but they were always the foreseen result of the same laws, and in harmony
+with the same great plan. And the modifications of organic structure,
+which were great in the successive economies, were always in perfect
+correspondence with the earth's physical changes. Nowhere do we meet with
+conflicting plans; but throughout all nature, from the earliest zoophyte
+and sea-weed of the silurian rocks to the young animals and plants that
+came into existence to-day, and from the choice gems that were produced
+when the earth was without form and void, to the crystals which are now
+forming in the chemist's laboratory, one golden chain of harmony links all
+together, and identifies all as the work of the same infinite mind.
+
+"In all the numerous examples of design which we have selected from the
+various animal and vegetable remains that occur in a fossil state," says
+Dr. Buckland, "there is such a never-failing identity in the fundamental
+principles of their construction, and such uniform adoption of analogous
+means to produce various ends, with so much only of departure from one
+common type of mechanism as was requisite to adapt each instrument to its
+own especial function, and to fit each species to its peculiar place and
+office in the scale of created beings, that we can scarcely fail to
+acknowledge in all these facts a demonstration of the unity of the
+intelligence in which such transcendent harmony originated; and we may
+almost dare to assert that neither atheism nor polytheism would ever have
+found acceptance in the world, had the evidences of high intelligence and
+unity of design which have been disclosed by modern discoveries in
+physical science been fully known to the authors or the abetters of
+systems to which they are so diametrically opposed. It is the same
+handwriting that we read, the same system and contrivance that we trace,
+the same unity of object and relation to final causes which we see
+maintained throughout, and constantly proclaiming the unity of the great
+divine original."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 584.
+
+"The earth, from her deep foundations, unites with the celestial orbs,
+that roll throughout boundless space, to declare the glory and show forth
+the praise of their common Author and Preserver; and the voice of natural
+religion accords harmoniously with the testimonies of revelation, in
+ascribing the origin of the universe to the will of one eternal and
+dominant intelligence, the almighty Lord and supreme First Cause of all
+things that subsist; _the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, before the
+mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made,
+God from everlasting and without end_."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 596.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE IX.
+
+THE HYPOTHESIS OF CREATION BY LAW.
+
+
+In all ages of the world, where men have been enlightened enough to reason
+upon the causes of phenomena, a mysterious and a mighty power has been
+imputed to the laws of nature. A large portion of the most enlightened men
+have felt as if those laws not only explain, but possess an inherent
+potency to continue, the ordinary operations of nature. Most men of this
+description, however, have thought that to originate nature must have
+demanded the special exercise of an infinite and all-wise Being. But a
+few, in every age, have endeavored to exalt law into a Creator, as well as
+Controller, of the world. The hypothesis has assumed a great variety of
+forms, and until recently few have attempted to draw it out in all its
+details, and apply it to all nature. Among the ancient philosophers it was
+based on the eternity of matter, and made the foundation of a system of
+rank atheism. Starting with the position, as an axiom, that nothing
+produces nothing,--in other words, that creation out of nothing is
+impossible,--Democritus maintained that all existence was the result of
+two necessary and self-existent principles, viz., space, infinite in
+extent, and atoms, infinite in number. The latter have been eternally in
+motion, in directions varying from right lines; and their necessary
+collisions have produced the various forms of organic and inorganic
+nature. To produce animals and plants, it was only necessary that the
+atoms should be suitably arranged. The only animating principle was the
+rapid agitation of atoms.
+
+In modern times, very few philosophers have ventured to solve the whole
+problem of the universe by any self-acting, self-producing power in
+nature. La Place limited himself to the mode in which the great bodies of
+the universe were produced by the vertical movements of nebulous matter;
+although his object, equally with that of Democritus and Epicurus, was to
+dispense with an intelligent, personal Deity. Lamarck, Geoffrey St.
+Hilaire, and Bory St. Vincent, assuming the existence of matter and its
+laws, have endeavored to show, by the inherent vitality of some parts of
+matter, how the first or lowest classes of animals and plants may have
+been produced; and how, from these, by the theory of development and the
+force of circumstances, all the higher families, with their instincts and
+intellects, may have been evolved. A still more recent, but anonymous,
+writer has had the boldness to unite these nebular hypotheses, with those
+of spontaneous generation and transmutation, into a single system, and to
+attempt to clothe it with the garb of philosophy; nay, to do this in
+consistency, not only with Theism, but with a belief in revelation. This
+theory is what I denominate the _hypothesis of creation by law_. And
+judging from its wide reception, we should be led to infer that it had
+strong probabilities in its favor. It should, therefore, at least receive
+a careful and candid examination. For though many of its statements and
+conclusions are absurd, and some of them are highly ridiculous, the
+hypothesis, at least in some of its parts, falls in with certain loose
+notions that have got possession of the public mind, and which nothing but
+cogent reasoning can eradicate.
+
+Before entering upon such an examination, however, it seems necessary to
+go somewhat more into detail in illustration of the nature of this
+hypothesis. It may conveniently be described under the heads of
+_cosmogony_, which attempts to account for the origin of the world;
+_zoogony_, which explains the origin of animals; and _zoonomy_, which
+describes the laws of animal life.[17]
+
+The cosmogony of this theory is embraced in what is denominated the
+nebular hypothesis, propounded by the eminent mathematician La Place. He
+supposes that, originally, the whole solar system constituted only one
+vast mass of nebulous matter, being expanded into the thinnest vapor and
+gas by heat, and more than filling the space at present occupied by the
+planets. This vapor, he still further supposes, had a revolution from west
+to east on an axis. As the heat diminished by radiation, the nebulous
+matter must condense, and consequently the velocity of rotation must
+increase, and an exterior zone of vapor might be detached; since the
+central attraction might not be able to overcome the increased centrifugal
+force. This ring of vapor might sometimes retain its original form, as in
+the case of Saturn's ring; but the tendency would be, in general, to
+divide into several masses, which, by coalescing again, would form a
+single mass, having a revolution about the sun, and on its axis. This
+would constitute a planet in a state of vapor; and by the detachment of
+successive rings might all the planets be produced. As they went on
+contracting, by the same law, satellites might be formed to each; and the
+ultimate result would be solid planets and satellites, revolving around
+the sun in nearly the same plane, and in the same direction, and also on
+their axes.
+
+Although this hypothesis has been regarded with favor by many
+philosophers, who were Theists, and even Christians, yet the object of La
+Place in proposing it was to sustain atheism. Sir Isaac Newton had
+expressed the conviction that "the admirable arrangement of the solar
+system cannot but be the work of an intelligent and most powerful Being."
+La Place declared that, in this statement, Newton "had deviated from the
+method of true philosophy," and brought forward these views to sustain his
+declaration. Whether they do sustain it, will be considered in another
+place. But since it is one of those modes in which men have attempted to
+account for the universe without a Deity, it is a proper subject of
+examination in this lecture, in which we are inquiring whether law alone
+will account for the creation and sustentation of the universe.
+
+The zoogony of this hypothesis undertakes to show how animals and plants
+may be produced without any special exercise of creating power on the part
+of the Deity. It supposes matter to be endowed with certain laws, whose
+operation alone will determine life in brute matter, or, rather, whose
+operation constitutes life. Some would have it that a part of matter is
+essentially vital; that is, endowed with inherent life; and that this
+matter, like leaven, communicates life to dead matter arranged in a
+certain order. But the more modern view is, that life is produced by
+electrical agency. It is found that the fundamental form of organic beings
+is a globule, having another globule forming within it. It is also found
+that globules may be produced in albumen by electricity; and if we could
+discover how nature produces albumen, it is thought that the whole process
+by which living organisms are produced would be distinctly before us. It
+seems to be simply the operation of electricity, and requires no
+intervention of special creating energy. If the question arises, Whence
+came such marvellous laws to exist in nature? the atheist replies that
+matter and its laws are eternal, having neither beginning nor end; while
+the Theist, who maintains this hypothesis, asserts that, when God created
+matter, he endowed it with such laws, having an inherent, self-executing
+power.
+
+Having thus ascertained, as it supposes, how life and organization in the
+simplest forms may be produced, the next inquiry is, how the more perfect
+and complicated forms of organic beings may be developed by laws, without
+divine power. This constitutes the zoonomy of the subject. The French
+zoologist, Lamarck, first drew out and formally defended this hypothesis,
+aided by others, as Geoffroy St. Hilaire and Bory St. Vincent. Their
+supposition was, that there is a power in nature, which they sometimes
+denominated the Deity, yet did not allow it to be intelligent and
+independent, but a mere blind, instrumental force. This power, they
+supposed, was able to produce what they called _monads_, or rough draughts
+of animals and plants. These monads were the simplest of all organic
+beings, mere aggregations of matter, some of them supposed to be
+inherently vital. And such monads are the only things ever produced
+directly by this blind deity. But in these monads there was supposed to
+reside an inherent tendency to progressive improvement. The wants of this
+living mass of jelly were supposed to produce such effects as would
+gradually form new organs, as the hands, the feet, and the mouth. These
+changes would be aided by another principle, which they called the _force
+of external circumstances_, by which they meant the influence upon its
+development of its peculiar condition; as, for instance, a conatus for
+flying, produced by the internal principle, would form wings in birds; a
+conatus for swimming in water would form the fins and tails of fishes; and
+a conatus for walking would form the feet and legs of quadrupeds. Thus the
+organs were not formed to meet the wants, but by the wants, of the animal
+and plant. Of course, new wants would produce new organs; and thus have
+animals been growing more and more complicated and perfect from the
+earliest periods of geological history. Man began his course as a monad,
+but, by the force of Lamarck's two principles, has reached the most
+elevated rank on the scale of animals. His last condition before his
+present was that of the monkey tribe, especially that of the orang-outang.
+The advocates of this hypothesis generally, however, suppose that there
+are from three to fifteen species of men, and that the different races are
+not mere varieties of one species. The most perfect species, the
+Caucasian, after leaving the monkey state, has gradually risen through the
+inferior species, and is still making progress; so that we cannot tell
+where they will stop. In general, the advocates of this hypothesis are
+materialists; that is, they do not suppose that there is a soul in man,
+distinct from the body, but that thought is one of the functions of the
+brain. They usually also regard moral qualities as mainly dependent upon
+organization, agreeably to the opinions of ultra phrenologists; and hence
+that they are more to be pitied than blamed for their deviations from
+rectitude.
+
+Such is the hypothesis. Let us now, in the first place, assume it to be
+proved, and see what inferences follow.
+
+_I remark, first, that the occurrence of events according to law does not
+remove the necessity of a divine contriving, superintending, and
+sustaining Power._
+
+That every event in the universe takes place according to fixed laws I am
+ready to admit. For what is a natural law? Nothing more nor less than the
+uniform mode in which divine power acts. In the case of miracles, it may
+be that the ordinary laws of nature are suspended or counteracted; at
+least, they are increased or diminished in their power. Yet from what we
+know of the divine perfections, we must conclude that God has certain
+fixed rules by which he is regulated in the performance of miracles; and,
+of course, in the same circumstances we should expect the same miracles.
+So that we may reasonably admit that even miracles are regulated and
+controlled by law, like common events; though, from the infrequency of the
+former, men cannot understand the laws that regulate them.
+
+Now, if the advocates of this hypothesis mean simply that every event is
+regulated by law,--in other words, that with like antecedents like
+consequents will be connected,--I have no controversy with them; and such
+is the precise statement of a modern anonymous popular writer on the
+subject.
+
+He declares that his "purpose is, to show that the whole revelation of the
+works of God presented to our senses and reason is a system based on what
+we are compelled, for want of a better term, to call _law_; by which,
+however, is not meant a system independent or exclusive of the Deity, but
+one which only proposes _a certain mode of his working_."--_Sequel to the
+Vestiges of Nat. Hist. of Creation_, p. 2.--But this is by no means all
+that is meant by this hypothesis. Nay, the grand object of the writer
+above quoted is, to show that there is no such thing as miraculous
+interference in the creation or preservation of the universe. He admits
+only the ordinary laws of nature, but denies all special and extraordinary
+laws; and says that it does not "appear necessary that God should exercise
+an immediately superintending power over the mundane economy."--_Vestiges_,
+p. 273.--Nay, he denies that the original creation of the universe and of
+animals and plants required any thing but the operation of natural laws;
+of such laws as we see and understand. The thought does not seem to have
+occurred to him, that special and miraculous acts of the Deity may be as
+truly governed by law as the motions of planets. Every thing of that sort
+he seems to regard as a violation of law,--a stepping aside from fixed
+principles,--a sort of afterthought with Jehovah,--a remedy for some
+defect in his original plans. True, the law of miracles and of special
+providence is very different from the common course of nature; and,
+therefore, the one may for a time supersede the others. But this does not
+prove that the former is not regulated by laws; nor that it did not enter
+into the original plan of the universe in the divine mind. It must have
+been a part of that plan; every thing was a part of it, and there can be
+with him no afterthought, no improvement, no alteration of his eternal
+designs.
+
+Admitting that every event, miraculous as well as common, is under law, it
+by no means renders a present directing and energizing Deity unnecessary.
+This hypothesis admits that organic life had a beginning, for its grand
+object is to show how it began by law alone. Now, who gave to matter, in a
+gaseous state, such wonderful laws that this fair world should be the
+result of their operation? If it would require infinite wisdom as well as
+power to create the present universe at once out of nothing, would it
+demand less of contrivance and skill to impart such powers to brute
+matter? It was not merely a power to produce organic natures, to form
+their complicated organs, to give life, and instinct, and intellect; but
+to adapt each particle, each organ, each animal, and each plant, most
+exactly and most wonderfully to its place in the vast system, so that
+every single thing should most beautifully harmonize with every other
+thing.
+
+Again. What is a natural law without the presence and energizing power of
+the lawgiver? How easily are men bewildered by words! and none has led
+more astray than this word _law_. We talk about its power to produce
+certain effects; but who can point out any inherent power of this sort
+which it possesses? Who can show how a law operates but through the
+energizing influence of the lawgiver? How unphilosophical then to separate
+a law of nature from the Deity, and to imagine him to have withdrawn from
+his works! For to do this would be to annihilate the law. He must be
+present every moment, and direct every movement of the universe, just as
+really as the mind of man must be in the body to produce its movements.
+Take away God from the universe, or let him cease to act mentally upon it,
+and every movement would as instantly and certainly cease, as would every
+movement of the human frame, were the mind to be withdrawn, or cease to
+will. We realize the necessity of the divine presence and energy to
+produce a miracle. But if miracles are performed according to law, as much
+as common events,--and we surely cannot prove they are not,--why is a
+present Deity any more necessary in the one case than in the other? The
+Bible considers common and miraculous events exactly alike in this
+respect. And true philosophy teaches the same.
+
+I see not, then, why this law hypothesis does not require an infinite
+Deity, just as much as the ordinary belief, which supposes that God
+originally created the universe by his fiat, and sustains it constantly by
+his power, and from time to time interferes with the regular sequence of
+cause and effect by miracles. The only difference seems to be this: While
+the common view represents God as always watching over his works, and
+ready, whenever necessary, to make special interpositions, the law
+hypothesis introduces him only at the very dawn of the universe, exerting
+his infinite wisdom and power to devise and endow matter with exquisite
+laws, capable, by their inherent self-executing power, of originating all
+organic natures, and producing the infinite variety of nature, and keeping
+in play her countless and unceasing agencies. It was only necessary that
+he should impress attenuated matter with these laws, and then put the
+machine in motion, and it would go on forever, without any need of God's
+presence or agency; so that he might henceforward give himself up to
+undisturbed repose.
+
+I know, indeed, that La Place, and some other advocates of this latter
+hypothesis, do not admit any necessity for a Deity even to originate
+matter or its laws; and to prove this was the object of the nebular
+hypothesis. But how evident that in this he signally failed! For even
+though he could show how nebulous matter, placed in a certain position,
+and having a revolution, might be separated into sun and planets, by
+merely mechanical laws, yet where, save in an infinite Deity, lie the
+power and the wisdom to originate that matter, and to bring it into such a
+condition, that, by blind laws alone, it would produce such a universe--so
+harmonious, so varied, so nicely adjusted in its parts and relations as
+the one we inhabit? Especially, how does this hypothesis show in what
+manner these worlds could be peopled by countless myriads of organic
+natures, most exquisitely contrived, and fitted to their condition? The
+atheist may say that matter is eternal. But if so, what but an infinite
+mind could in time begin the work of organic creation? If the matter
+existed for eternal ages without being brought into order, and into
+organic structures, why did it not continue in the same state forever?
+Does the atheist say, All is the result of laws inherent in matter? But
+how could those laws remain dormant through all past eternity,--that is,
+through a period literally infinite,--and then at length be aroused into
+intense action? Besides, to impute the present wise arrangements and
+organic creations of the world to law, is to endow that law with all the
+attributes with which the Theist invests the Deity. Nothing short of
+intelligence, and wisdom, and benevolence, and power, infinitely above
+what man possesses, will account for the present world. If there is, then,
+a power inherent in matter adequate to the production of such effects,
+that power must be the same as the Deity; and, therefore, it is truly the
+Deity, by whatever name we call it. In short, the fact that La Place did
+not see that his hypothesis utterly failed to account for the universe
+without a Deity, strikingly shows us, that a man may be a giant in
+mathematics, while he is only a pygmy in moral reasoning; or, to make the
+statement more general, how a man, by an exclusive cultivation of one
+faculty of the soul, may shrivel all the rest into a nutshell.
+
+From these views and reasonings, it is clear, I think, that the hypothesis
+of creation by law does not necessarily destroy the theory of religion.
+For if we admit that every thing in the world of matter and of mind, not
+excepting miracles and special providences, is regulated, if not produced,
+by law, it does not take away the necessity of a contriving, sustaining,
+and energizing Deity. Even though we admit that God has communicated to
+nature's laws, at the beginning, a power to execute themselves, (though
+the supposition is quite unphilosophical,) no event is any the less God's
+work, than if all were miraculous.
+
+In consistency with this conclusion, we find that while some advocates of
+this hypothesis evidently intended it to sustain atheism, its most
+plausible advocate, as we have seen, fully admits, not only the divine
+existence, but the reality of revelation. It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether this anonymous writer has not virtually taken away the Deity, and
+even moral accountability, by his materialism and his ultra-phrenology;
+yet we do not see but he may assert his law system without denying God's
+existence or attributes.
+
+It must be admitted, however, that the influence of this hypothesis upon
+practical religion is disastrous. It does, apparently, so remove the Deity
+from all concern in the affairs of the world, and so foists law into his
+place, that practically there is no God. If his agency is acknowledged, as
+having put the vast machine in motion, in some indefinitely remote period
+of past duration, yet the feeling is, that since then he has given up the
+reins into the hands of law, so that man has nothing to do with him, but
+only with nature's laws; that he has only to submit to these, and not
+expect any interposition for his relief, however earnestly he cry for it.
+Now, it is obviously the intention and desire of the advocates of this
+hypothesis thus to remove God away from his works, and from their
+thoughts; else why should they so strenuously resist the notion of
+miracles? For these may just as properly be referred to law as common
+events. Yet it is one of the most striking features of the hypothesis,
+that it opposes strongly the idea of any special oversight and
+interposition on the part of the Deity. True, when we look at the subject
+philosophically, we must acknowledge that an event is just as really the
+work of God, when brought about by laws which he ordains and energizes, as
+by miraculous interposition. Still the practical influence of these two
+views of Providence is quite different.
+
+Whoever the author of the Vestiges may be, he has evidently lived in a
+religious community, and felt the influence of a religious atmosphere; for
+he tries to conform his system as much as possible to the principles of
+Protestant Christianity. In other words, he feels so much the power of
+practical piety around him, that he does not suffer the influence of the
+system which he advocates to exhibit itself fully, nor to drive him into
+those extravagances of belief which naturally result from it. In order to
+see what is its natural tendency, we need to go to such a country as
+Germany, or Switzerland, where there is little to restrain the wildest
+vagaries of belief. In the works of Professor Lorenz Oken, of Zurich, we
+see fully developed the tendencies and results of this hypothesis of
+development by law, combined with the unintelligible idealism of Kant,
+Fichte, Schelling, &c. In his Physio-philosophy, translated by the Ray
+Society for the edification of sober, matter-of-fact Anglo-Saxons, we find
+a man, of strong mind and extensive knowledge, taking the most ridiculous
+positions with the stoutest dogmatism, and the most imperturbable gravity,
+yet whose blasphemy is equalled only by their absurdity. Let a few
+quotations illustrate and confirm this statement.
+
+"The highest mathematical idea, or the fundamental principle of all
+mathematics, is the zero == 0.
+
+"Zero is in itself nothing. Mathematics is based upon nothing, and
+consequently arises out of nothing.
+
+"Real and ideal are no more different from each other than ice and water:
+both of these, as is well known, are essentially one and the same, and yet
+are different, the diversity consisting in the form. Every real is
+absolutely nothing else than a number.
+
+"The Eternal is the nothing of nature.
+
+"There is no other science than that which treats of nothing.
+
+"There exists nothing but nothing--nothing but the Eternal.
+
+"Every thing in the world is endowed with life; the world itself is alive,
+and continues only, maintains itself by virtue of its life.
+
+"Man is God wholly manifested. God has become man, zero has become + --.
+Man is the whole of arithmetic, compacted, however, out of all numbers; he
+can, therefore, produce numbers out of himself.
+
+"Animals are men who never imagine. They are beings who never attain to
+consciousness concerning themselves. They are single accounts; man is the
+whole of mathematics.
+
+"Arithmetic is the truly absolute or divine science. Theology is
+arithmetic personified.
+
+"For God to become real, he must appear under the form of the sphere.
+There is no other form for God. God manifesting is an infinite sphere.
+
+"God is a rotating globe; the world is God rotating.
+
+"The whole universe is material, is nothing but matter; for it is the
+primary act repeating itself eternally in the centre. The universe is a
+rotating globe of matter.
+
+"There is no dead matter; it is alive through its being, through the
+Eternal that is in it. Matter has no existence in itself, but it is the
+Eternal only that exists in it. Every thing is God that is there, and
+without God there is absolutely nothing.
+
+"Every thing that is is material. Now, however, there is nothing that is
+not; consequently there is every where nothing immaterial.
+
+"Fire is the totality of ether, is God manifested in his totality.
+
+"Every thing that is has originated out of fire; every thing is only
+cooled, rigidified fire.
+
+"God being in himself is gravity; acting, self-emergent light; both
+together, or returning into himself, heat.
+
+"God only is monocentral. The world is the bicentral God, God the
+monocentral world, which is the same with the monas and dyas.
+Self-consciousness is a living ellipse.
+
+"God is a threefold trinity; at first the eternal, then the ethereal, and
+finally the terrestrial, where it is completely divided.
+
+"The symbolical doctrine of the colors is correct according to the
+philosophy of nature. Red is fire, love--Father. Blue is air, truth, and
+belief--Son. Green is water, formation, hope--Ghost. These are the three
+cardinal virtues. Yellow is earth, the immovable, inexorable falsity, the
+only vice--Satan. There are three virtues, but only one vice. A result
+obtained by physio-philosophy, whereof pneumato-philosophy as yet augurs
+nothing.
+
+"The primary mucus, out of which every thing organic has been created, is
+the sea mucus.
+
+"The whole sea is alive. It is a fluctuating, ever self-elevating, and
+ever self-depressing organism.
+
+"If the organic fundamental substance consist of infusoria, so must the
+whole organic world originate from infusoria. Plants and animals can be
+only metamorphoses of infusoria. No organism has consequently been created
+of larger size than an infusorial point; whatever is larger has not been
+created, but developed.
+
+"The mind, just as the body, must be developed out of these animals,
+(infusoria.) The human body has been formed by an extreme separation of
+the neuro-protoplasmic or mucous mass; so must the human mind be a
+separation, a memberment of infusorial sensation. The highest mind is an
+anatomized or dismembered mesmerism, each member whereof has been
+constituted independent in itself.
+
+"The liver is the soul in a state of sleep, the brain is the soul active
+and awakening.
+
+"Circumspection and forethought appear to be the thoughts of the bivalve
+mollusca, and snails.
+
+"Gazing upon a snail, one believes that he finds the prophesying goddess
+sitting upon the tripod. What majesty is in a creeping snail, what
+reflection, what earnestness, what timidity, and yet at the same time what
+firm confidence! Surely a snail is an exalted symbol of mind slumbering
+deeply within itself."
+
+It is difficult for an Anglo-Saxon mind to believe that a man who could
+write thus was not out of his senses. Yet Oken is an eminent physiologist,
+and has made, it is said, important discoveries in respect to the cranial
+homologies, which have been developed in Professor Owen's work on the
+Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton. Nay, Oken declares himself to have
+written his Physio-philosophy "in a kind of inspiration"--from what world
+the religious man might be in doubt.
+
+These extravagant notions show what is the natural tendency of the law
+hypothesis. Yet it does not necessarily convert a man into an atheist. And
+if any of its advocates declare themselves Theists, and even Christians,
+we need not regard them as hypocrites, though we may consider them as in
+an eminently dangerous position; and that, when they shall act
+consistently, they will swing off into utter irreligion. But my arguments
+against the hypothesis will be based on the position that _it is not
+sustained by facts_; and this is the second position of my lecture.
+
+The nebular hypothesis is a part of the foundation on which the doctrine
+of creation by law rests. And the high scientific reputation of its
+author, as well as its apparent coincidence with some of the deductions of
+geology respecting the earliest condition of the earth, have made
+philosophers look upon it with considerable favor. Yet very few have been
+ready to give it implicit credence. And of late the most plausible
+evidence in its favor seems to be fast vanishing away. The ablest
+mechanicians are unable to see how a rotary motion should be produced in
+nebulous matter by refrigeration; or, if this be assumed, how the
+successive portions, detached by superior centrifugal force, should form
+spherical masses. But a still more formidable objection lies in the fact
+that, as improvements are made in telescopes, one and another of the
+nebulae, on which the hypothesis rests, have been resolved into stars; and
+the presumption hence arising is very strong that all are resolvable. In
+the present aspect of the subject, no sagacious philosopher would dare to
+rest even an hypothesis upon the unresolved nebulae. If, however, the
+nebular hypothesis were shown to be true, it would prove nothing in regard
+to the production of animals and plants by mere law, without the special
+agency of the Deity.
+
+The essential and inherent vitality of some kinds of matter is another
+doctrine on which this hypothesis rests. "In vain," says Bory St. Vincent,
+"has matter been considered as eminently brute. Many observations prove
+that, if it is not all active, by its very nature, a part of it is
+essentially so; and the presence of this, operating according to certain
+laws, is able to produce life in an agglomeration of the molecules; and
+since these laws will always be imperfectly known, it will at least be
+rash to maintain that an infinite intelligence did not impose them; since
+they are manifested by their results."--_Dictionnaire Classique
+d'Histoire Naturelle_, art. _Materie_.
+
+The "observations" to which this writer refers to sustain his hypothesis
+are those which had been made upon certain vegetable infusions, which, in
+certain circumstances, exhibited minute particles in motion, apparently by
+vital forces. These were called _monads_, and were not supposed to be
+distinct animals, but only atoms, ready to be organized. The more modern
+and accurate researches of Ehrenberg and others, however, have shown,
+beyond all doubt, that these monads are true animals, the minutest of all
+living beings hitherto discovered. Not less than twenty-six species of
+them have been described and figured by microscopists, the smallest of
+which never exceeds the twelve thousandth of an inch in diameter.
+
+The vegetable physiologists have described certain peculiar motions in the
+minute vessels of plants, that might readily be regarded as matter
+essentially vital. I refer to what they call _rotation_ and _cyclosis_.
+But these are never seen save in the living plant; and, therefore, seem
+dependent on the general life of the vegetable.
+
+There is, however, danger of mistaking certain motions of the particles of
+matter, by chemical agency, for the effect of vitality. A curious example
+is thus described by Ehrenberg, which was discovered by Professor
+Bornsdorff. "If a solution of the chloride of aluminum be dropped into a
+solution of potassa, by the alternate precipitation and solution of the
+aluminum, in the excess of the alkali, an appearance will be given to the
+drop of aluminate matter, by the chemical changes and reactions which take
+place, as if the _Amoeba diffluens_ were actually present, both as to
+its form and evolutions, and will seem to be alive. Such appearance is
+considered by its able discoverer as bearing the same relationship to the
+real animalcule as a doll, or a figure moved by mechanism, does to a
+living child."
+
+We see, then, that the supports on which rests the doctrine of the
+essential vitality of matter, give way before better instruments and more
+careful research. Another statement, however, of much higher pretensions,
+has lately been made, and on no mean authority. Able electricians declare
+that, by passing currents of galvanism through solutions of silicate or
+ferrocyanate of potassa, or some analogous substance, after a time,
+sometimes several years, numerous small insects have been developed,
+belonging to the _acari_ family.
+
+These experiments appear to have been conducted with fairness and skill;
+and that the insects showed themselves at the pole of the battery, around
+which the gelatinous silex collected, cannot be doubted. It is true,
+however, that, when the solution was exposed to the atmosphere, the
+insects appeared much sooner and more numerous than when care was taken to
+exclude every thing but oxygen enough to sustain life. This fact leads to
+the suspicion that the ova of the insect might have been communicated
+through the air, and that, even when an attempt was made to exclude the
+atmosphere, some ova were still present. This conclusion is rendered still
+more probable by some experiments made by Professor Schulz, of Berlin, on
+the production of infusoria. Having first boiled the vegetable and animal
+infusions, so as to destroy all germs of organic life, and expelled all
+the atmosphere, he attached an apparatus in such a manner that, whatever
+air entered afterwards, must pass through sulphuric acid, or a solution of
+potash. The result was, that no infusoria or vegetable forms appeared
+during two months; but in the same infusion, placed in the open air, and
+exposed to the same light and heat as that enclosed in the glass vessel,
+numerous animalcula and fungi appeared in a day or two. It will need,
+therefore, very long and patient experiments to establish the assertion
+that galvanism alone can produce living animals without the presence of
+germs.
+
+Not many years since, the equivocal or casual production of animalcula,
+without any other parentage than law, was thought to be made out by a
+multitude of facts. For these minute creatures appeared almost every
+where, and in places where it seemed impossible that their ova should be
+found. But the researches of Ehrenberg have cleared up the difficulties of
+their origination in the ordinary modes of reproduction, in nearly every
+instance, and the advocates of the law hypothesis have been fairly driven
+from this stronghold of their argument. In describing the various modes of
+reproduction with which nature has provided the infusoria, Professor Owen
+says, "Thus each leaves, by the last act of its life, the means of
+perpetuating and diffusing its species by thousands of fertile germs. When
+once the thickly tenanted pool is dried up, and its bottom converted into
+a layer of dust, these inconceivably minute and light ova will be raised
+with the dust by the first puff of wind, diffused through the atmosphere,
+and may there remain long suspended; forming, perhaps, their share of the
+particles which we see flickering in the sunbeam, ready to fall into any
+collection of water, beaten down by every summer shower into the streams
+or pools which receive or may be formed by such showers, and, by virtue of
+their tenacity of life, ready to develop themselves whenever they may find
+the requisite conditions of their existence. The possibility, or, rather,
+the high probability, that such is the design of the oviparous generation
+of the infusoria, and such the common mode of the diffusion of their ova,
+renders the hypothesis of equivocal generation, which has been so
+frequently invoked to explain their origin in new-formed natural or
+artificial infusions, quite gratuitous."--_Lectures on Comp. Anat._ vol.
+ii. p. 31.
+
+No longer able to maintain a foothold among the animalcula, the defenders
+of this hypothesis have of late attempted to take a stand among animals of
+a somewhat higher grade, viz., the entozoa, or animals inhabiting other
+animals. These being considerably larger than the infusoria, their ova
+could not float in the atmosphere; but they possess a wonderful tenacity
+of life; some of them exhibiting signs of life after having been in
+boiling water for an hour; others have revived after having been packed
+for a long time in ice, and frozen; others have revived after lying in a
+dried state for six or seven years. Their power of reproduction, in the
+ordinary modes, is also prodigious, exceeding even that of the infusoria.
+It will, then, demand very strong evidence to prove that such animals
+possess also the power of spontaneous production, without parentage, or
+that their existence within other animals cannot be explained without such
+a supposition. For, if capable of being produced without parentage, why
+should such extraordinary care have been taken for their multiplication,
+in almost all the ordinary modes in which animals are reproduced?
+
+The extraordinary facts that have been discovered by Professors
+Steenstrup, Owen, and others, within a few years, respecting what they
+call _alternate generation_, or _parthenogenesis_, have been thought
+favorable to the hypothesis of development. Among the mollusca, the
+polyparia, the entozoa, and infusoria, it is found that, in some species,
+the result of sexual union is the production of a larva without sex, and,
+therefore, incapable of propagating in the usual way. Yet that larva can
+of itself produce another larva quite different from itself, and this
+larva another, and so on, sometimes for eight or ten generations, when the
+spermatic force seems to be exhausted, and a progeny exactly like the
+original parents that started the series is produced, capable of giving
+rise to another and a similar series. Here, then, we find a succession of
+progeny for several generations, and all quite unlike one another, yet
+without any immediate parental agency. Why is it not an example of
+spontaneous generation? and why may not new species be produced in this
+manner?
+
+There are two facts prominent on this subject which afford a full answer
+to such questions. One is, that these generations of larvae always begin
+with the spermatozoon and the ovum of parents; the other is, that the
+series always closes, if allowed to run its natural course, in individuals
+with sex, exactly identical with those that started it; so that the
+species always remains entire. The whole process is simply one of the
+infinitely varied modes which nature employs to preserve and perfect the
+species. The process never stops with any of the larvae intervening between
+the fertile parents at the beginning, and the fertile individuals at the
+end of the series. Professor Owen supposes--certainly with much
+plausibility--that some of the original germ-cells, not wanted for the
+production of the first larva, pass on to form the successive generations,
+till the series is complete; so that, after all, the case is not an
+exception to the general law of reproduction by parental agency; and
+instead of sustaining, it certainly goes against, the notion of
+spontaneous generation and of transmutation of species; because it shows
+how far parental influence may reach, and how tenacious nature is of
+specific distinctions. For the same reasons, the case affords a
+presumption against other alleged cases of equivocal generation and
+metamorphoses of species.[18]
+
+Appeal has also been made to the vegetable kingdom for examples of the
+production of organic beings, viz., plants without seeds. Who has not
+observed, for instance, how the clearing up and burning over of a piece of
+land will often cause an entirely new tribe of plants to spring up and
+flourish? Whence came the seeds? We have seen, for instance, (in Richmond,
+Virginia,) a thick growth of pines upon a spot where from six to ten feet
+of soil had been removed a few years previously.
+
+It is very possible, in some cases of this kind, that the soil, having
+been produced by aqueous agencies, may contain seeds to a considerable
+depth, and that their vitality may have been preserved for centuries; for
+we know that seeds three thousand years old, taken from Egyptian
+catacombs, have germinated, in favorable circumstances. In most cases of
+this sort, however, the winds have probably supplied the seed, it may be,
+long before. We were one day wandering over Mount Holyoke, where a spot
+recently cleared was covered with the fire-weed, a species of senecio; and
+as we were musing upon its origin, a strong blast of wind swept over the
+plants, just ready to throw off their seeds. Sustained by their light
+egrets, they floated away on the air in numbers sufficient to cover half
+the mountain with the plant, when it should be cleared and burnt over. Yet
+their existence would never be suspected till those circumstances should
+be developed. At least, until we can prove that the soil contains no
+seeds by the most careful examination, it will be premature to infer the
+equivocal production of the plants growing upon it.
+
+Vegetable physiology furnishes another fact, which seems to me to look
+still more favorable to this law hypothesis than the preceding, although
+it has not been noticed, so far as I know, by the advocates of that
+hypothesis. Speaking of the matter of which certain flowerless plants are
+composed, Dr. Lindlay says, "It is even uncertain whether this matter will
+produce its like, and whether it is not a mere representation of the vital
+principle of vegetation, capable of being called into action, either as a
+fungus, or algae, or lichen, according to the particular conditions of
+heat, light, and moisture, and the medium in which it is placed; producing
+fungi upon dead or putrid organic beings, lichens upon living vegetables,
+earth, or stones, and algae where water is the medium in which it is
+developed." Again, in speaking of that green slime which often covers the
+soil, rocks, walls, and glass in damp places, he says, "The slime
+resembles a layer of albumen, spread with a brush; it exfoliates in
+drying, and finally becomes visible by the manner in which it colors green
+or deep brown. One might call it a provisional creation, waiting to be
+organized, and then assuming different forms according to the nature of
+the corpuscles which penetrate it, or develop among it. It may further be
+said to be the origin of two very distinct existences, the one certainly
+animal, the other purely vegetable."--_Natural System_, pp. 326, 328, 334.
+
+Now, admitting all the facts that have been detailed respecting the
+production of infusoria, entozoa, acari, and cryptogamian plants to be
+true, although most of them are far from being proved, it seems to me that
+they do not show us how vitality is produced by mere law, without the
+special agency of the Deity. Writers on the subject seem to overlook the
+distinction between organization and life. The first may be present in its
+highest perfection without the latter, as it is in animals and plants
+recently killed. The organization is merely a preparation to receive the
+mysterious principles which we call _life_ and _intellect_. Light, heat,
+and electricity may be the essential agents in producing the organization,
+but they do not explain the nature, or account for the presence, of life.
+That must, so far as we know, come from some other and a higher source.
+Galvanism may bring gelatinous matter into the form of an insect, or
+infusoria, or entozoa; but there is no evidence that it can impart life,
+however exquisite the organization. It may be, and we have reason to
+suppose it is, the divine will to bestow life whenever a certain
+organization exists; but this does not show that his special agency is not
+concerned in it. He may will that the peculiar life of a lichen shall be
+given to the same elementary matter which, in another situation, he
+constitutes an alga, or a fungus, or even an animal. But this would not
+prove that natural law alone could produce life. There is nowhere any
+evidence that sensibility, contractility, and especially intellect and
+volition, are the result of any natural operations. In their properties
+they are so entirely diverse from all known physical effects, that we must
+impute them to some other than a natural cause. We must call in the power
+of a supreme intelligent Being. The laws of affinity, light, heat, and
+electricity, of endosmose and exosmose, may prepare the organization, but
+their power ends there; and hence true philosophy requires us to impute
+the phenomena of life and intellect to an extraneous and infinitely higher
+cause.
+
+The case, then, stands thus: In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, we
+are certain that organization requires the previous existence and agency
+of a being similarly organized, which we call the parent. But suppose
+that, in a very few cases, the laws of nature can produce the
+organization. It still demands another and a higher power--not a blind
+impulse, but an intelligent cause--to bestow life and intellect. To prove
+the existence of a natural cause for the arrangement of the atoms into an
+organic structure, does by no means prove the same for those higher and
+mysterious principles that make that structure a living, thinking being.
+
+Such, however, are the strongest arguments by which the advocates of the
+law hypothesis sustain their views of the origin of organism, life, and
+intellect. The next step in their reasoning is to show how animals and
+plants may be transmuted from one species, or genus, or family, to
+another; so that the existing vast variety can be traced to a few original
+germs. They maintain that these developments of the more from the less
+perfect have proceeded along certain parallel lines; one series of
+developments, for instance, taking the line of the fishes, another of the
+reptiles, another of the birds, another of quadrupeds, and so on.
+
+To prove these developments or transmutations, they appeal first to the
+physiological history of the mammalian embryo. In its earliest stages, it
+can hardly be distinguished, except in size, from the unborn polygastric
+infusoria. The brain of a human embryo appears at first like that of an
+invertebrate animal; next like that of a fish; then successively like that
+of a reptile, a bird, a rodent mammal, a ruminant, and a monkey. So the
+heart, at an early stage, looks like that of an insect; then it has two
+chambers, like that of a fish; then it becomes three chambered, like that
+of a reptile; and finally, four chambered, as in the mammalia. The
+inference which these theorists would draw from such facts is, that man
+actually begins his existence as an animalcule, and passes successively
+through the mould or condition of other animals, before he reaches the
+highest. And the reasons why he does become a man, rather than an
+echinoderm, or a fish, or a monkey, is only some slightly modifying
+circumstance, as, for instance, a longer gestation. It appears to me,
+however, that the inferences sound philosophy should derive from such
+facts are, first, that, while there is a seeming resemblance between the
+human embryo and that of lower animals, there is, in fact, a real and a
+wide diversity; so that the one infallibly becomes an inferior animal, and
+the other a man. Could a single example be produced in which a human
+embryo stopped at and became an insect, or a fish, or a monkey, there
+might be some plausibility in the supposition. But it is as certain to
+become a man as the sun is to rise and set; and, therefore, the human
+condition results from laws as fixed as those that regulate the movements
+of the heavenly bodies. That is a very superficial philosophy which infers
+identity of nature from mere external resemblance.
+
+The phenomena of hybridity furnish another ground of argument in favor of
+the transmutation of species, and of course in favor of the law
+hypothesis; for that hybrids are sometimes the result of the union of
+different species will not be denied. There is, however, a natural
+repugnance to union between different species; and in a state of nature
+this can very rarely be overcome. But domestication changes and almost
+obliterates many natural instincts, and hence hybridity is far more common
+among domesticated animals and plants. As a general fact, also, the hybrid
+offspring is incapable of propagating its own race, without union with one
+of the original species by which it was produced; and this inability to
+continue this mixed race has been generally regarded among naturalists as
+the best characteristic of species. Some, however, attempt to show that
+some hybrid races do continue from generation to generation to propagate
+their kind. But in most cases the hybrid race ere long runs out, and there
+is always a strong tendency to revert to the original stock; and were it
+not for the influence of man, probably such a thing as hybridity would
+scarcely ever have been heard of. Nature seems to have established strong
+barriers around species, so that an identity should be preserved; and even
+if we admit the possibility of their coalescence in some cases, yet we
+have evidence that almost always they are preserved distinct from century
+to century; and the same is true even of the more prominent varieties, for
+we find not only the same species, but the same varieties of animals and
+plants, preserved some three thousand years in the Egyptian catacombs,
+that are now alive in the same country. How idle, then, to suppose that
+the laws of hybridity will account for such radical and entire
+transmutations as this hypothesis supposes! To accomplish this, it would
+need as strong a tendency in nature to a union of species, genera, and
+families, as now exists against it.
+
+But a special appeal has been made on this subject to geology. The history
+of organic remains, it is thought, corresponds to what we might expect, if
+the hypothesis of development is true. In the oldest rocks we find chiefly
+the more simple invertebrate animals, and the vertebrated tribes appear at
+first in the form of fish, then of reptiles, then of birds, then of
+mammals, and last of all of man. What better confirmation could we wish
+than this gradually expanding series? True, all the great classes of
+organic beings, vegetable and animal, are found nearly at the earliest
+epoch, and continue through the entire series of rocks. But we have only
+to suppose a distinct stirps for each of the classes, and that the
+developments took place along parallel lines, in order to harmonize the
+facts with the hypothesis.
+
+Such a general view of the subject of organic remains seems to give
+plausibility to the hypothesis of organic development. But the tables are
+turned when we descend to particulars. The idea of a distinct stirps or
+germ for each great class of animals and plants seems to me to destroy an
+essential feature of the hypothesis. It supposes that law produces at once
+a vertebral animal and a flowering plant; for the first, certainly, we
+find in the very lowest of the fossiliferous rocks. "The lower silurian,"
+says Sir Roderick Murchison, in 1847, "is no longer to be viewed as an
+invertebrate period, for the onchus (a genus of fish) has been found in
+the Llandeilo Flags, and in the lower silurian rocks of Bala."
+
+It is also a most important fact, that this fish of the oldest rock was
+not, as the development scheme would require, of a low organization, but
+quite high on the scale of fishes. The same is true of all the earliest
+species of this class. "All our most ancient fossil fishes," says
+Professor Sedgwick, "belong to a high organic type; and the very oldest
+species that are well determined fall naturally into an order of fishes
+which Owen and Mueller place, not at the bottom, but at the top of the
+whole class."--_Discourse on the Studies of the University_, &c. 5th edit.
+p. lxiv. pref.
+
+This point has been fully and ably discussed by Hugh Miller, Esq., in his
+late work, "The Footprints of the Creator, or the Asterolepis of
+Stromness." The asterolepis was one of these fishes found in the old red
+sandstone, sometimes over twenty feet long; yet, says Mr. Miller, "instead
+of being, as the development hypothesis would require, a fish low in its
+organization, it seems to have ranged on the level of the highest
+ichthyic-reptilian families ever called into existence."
+
+Another point which Mr. Miller has labored hard to establish, and of which
+there seems to be no reasonable doubt, is, that in many families of
+animals, not only were the first species that appeared of high
+organization, but there was a gradual degradation among those that were
+created afterwards. Of the fishes generally, he says, that "the progress
+of the race, as a whole, though it still retains not a few of the higher
+forms, has been a progress, not of development from the low to the high,
+but of degradation from the high to the low." Again he says, "We know, as
+geologists, that the dynasty of the fish was succeeded by that of the
+reptile; that the dynasty of the reptile was succeeded by that of the
+mammiferous quadruped; and that the dynasty of the mammiferous quadruped
+was succeeded by that of man, as man now exists--a creature of a mixed
+character, and subject, in all conditions, to wide alternations of
+enjoyment and suffering. We know further,--so far, at least, as we have
+succeeded in deciphering the record,--that the several dynasties were
+introduced, not in their lower, but in their higher forms; that, in short,
+in the imposing programme of creation, it was arranged as a general rule,
+that in each of the great divisions of the procession the magnates should
+walk first. We recognize yet further the fact of degradation specially
+exemplified in the fish and the reptile." "Among these degraded races,
+that of the footless serpent, which _goeth upon its belly_, has long been
+noted by the theologian as a race typical, in its condition and nature, of
+an order of hopelessly degraded beings, borne down to the dust by a
+clinging curse; and curiously enough, when the first comparative
+anatomists in the world give _their_ readiest and most prominent instance
+of degradation among the divisions of the natural world, it is this very
+order of footless reptiles that they select."
+
+Among the invertebrate animals are numerous examples of the deterioration
+of a race. M. Alcide D'Orbigny, one of the most accomplished of living
+paleontologists, in his _Cours Elementaire de Paleontologie et de
+Geologie_, speaks as follows of the cephalopods found in the oldest rocks:
+"See, then, the result; the cephalopods, the most perfect of the mollusks,
+which lived in the early period of the world, show a progress of
+degradation in their generic forms. We insist on this fact relative to the
+cephalopods, which we shall hereafter compare with the less perfect
+classes of mollusks, since it must lead to the conclusion that the
+mollusks, as to their classes, have certainly retrograded from the
+compound to the simple, or from the more to the less perfect."
+
+Such facts as these are absolutely fatal to the hypothesis of development;
+and geology abounds with them. Indeed, through all her archives, we search
+in vain for facts that show any thing like a passage of one species,
+genus, or family, into another. Certain distinct types characterize the
+different formations up to a certain period, when there is a sudden
+change; and in the subsequent strata we find animals and plants entirely
+different from those that have disappeared. The new races are, indeed,
+often of a higher grade than those that preceded them, but could not have
+sprung from them.
+
+The true theory of animal and vegetable existence on our globe appears to
+be this: Such natures were placed upon the earth as were adapted to its
+varying condition. When the earliest group was created, such were the
+climate, the atmosphere, the waters, and the means of subsistence, that
+the lower tribes were best adapted to the condition of things. That group
+occupied the earth till such changes had occurred as to make it unsuited
+to their natures, and consequently they died out, and new races were
+brought in; not by mere law, but by divine benevolence, power, and wisdom.
+These tribes also passed away, when the condition of things was so changed
+as to be uncongenial to their natures, to give place to a third group, and
+these again to a fourth, and so on to the present races, which, in their
+turn, perhaps, are destined to become extinct. From the first, however,
+the changes which the earth has undergone, as to temperature, soil, and
+climate, have been an improvement of its condition; so that each
+successive group of animals and plants could be more and more complicated
+and perfect; and therefore we find an increase and development of
+flowering plants and vertebral animals. And yet, from the beginning, all
+the great classes seem to have existed, so that the changes have been only
+in the proportion of the more and less perfect at different periods. In
+short, we have only to suppose that the Creator exactly adapted organic
+natures to the several geological periods, and we perfectly explain the
+phenomena of organic remains. But the doctrine of development by law
+corresponds only in a loose and general way to the facts, and cannot be
+reconciled to the details. If that hypothesis cannot get a better foothold
+somewhere else, it will soon find its way into the limbo of things
+abortive and forgotten.
+
+I have now noticed, I believe, the principal sources of evidence in which
+the law hypothesis rests; and at the best, we find only a possibility, but
+rarely, if ever, a probability, that such a power exists in nature. I turn
+now, for a few moments, to the arguments on the other side; that is,
+against the hypothesis.
+
+_And first, it cannot explain the wonderful adaptation of animals and
+plants to their condition and to one another._
+
+There is not a more striking thing in nature than that adaptation; and
+geology shows us that it has always been so. Now, if any thing requires
+the exercise of infinite wisdom and power, it is this feature of creation.
+But according to this hypothesis, the laws of nature may be so arranged as
+to create every animal and plant just at the right time, and place them in
+the right spot, and adjust every thing around them to their nature and
+wants. In other words, it supposes law capable of doing what only infinite
+wisdom and power can do. What is this but ascribing infinite perfection to
+law, and imputing to it effects which only an infinite intelligence could
+bring about? In other words, it is making a Deity of the laws which he
+ordains. Theoretically it may be of little importance by what name men
+call the Deity; but practically to impute natural effects to law, as an
+independent power, is to put a blind, unintelligent agency in the place of
+Jehovah.
+
+_In the second place, where one fact in nature looks favorable to this
+hypothesis, a thousand facts teach the contrary._
+
+Take for example the reproduction of animals. Out of every thousand
+individuals we have certain evidence that nine hundred and ninety-nine are
+brought into existence by the ordinary modes of generation; that is, they
+depend upon progenitors. Still, if in the thousandth case the animal's
+existence was clearly casual, if we could see an elephant, or an ox, start
+into life without parental agency, that single case would prove the
+hypothesis. But never do its advocates pretend that any of the larger
+animals are produced in this way. Nor is it till they get among the
+smaller and obscure animals, whose habits are very difficult to trace out,
+that we find any examples where a suspicion even can exist of the
+communication of vitality irrespective of parental agency. Is not a strong
+presumption hence produced that further and more scrutinizing observation
+will show the few excepted cases not to be real exceptions? Does not sound
+philosophy demand that the proof of the casual production of the
+thousandth case shall be as decided as that of the normal generation of
+the nine hundred and ninety-nine? But no one, it seems to me, will pretend
+that any thing like such certainty exists in a single example throughout
+all nature. The presumption, then, is really more than a thousand to one
+against the hypothesis.
+
+Take an example from hybridity. While a thousand species retain from age
+to age their individuality, not more than one coalesces with its neighbor,
+and loses its identity. And even here, all admit that there is a constant
+tendency in the hybrid race to revert to the original stock; and there is
+strong reason to believe that this will sooner or later take place, and
+that it would speedily occur in every case, were it not for the influence
+of domestication. Such facts make the presumption very strong, that
+species are permanent, and any extensive metamorphosis impossible.
+Hybridity appears to be in a measure unnatural; and the old proverb true
+in respect to it--
+
+  "Si furca naturam expellas,
+  Usque recurret."
+
+By the hypothesis under consideration, we ought to expect at least a few
+examples of the formation of new organs in animals, in the efforts of
+nature to advance towards a more perfect state. It has usually been said
+that the time since animals were first described is too short for such
+development. But we have examples, from the catacombs of Egypt, of animals
+and plants that lived in that country three thousand years ago; and yet,
+according to Cuvier,--and who is a better judge?--they are precisely like
+the living species. Strange that this great length of time should not have
+produced even one new organ, or the marks of a conatus to produce one. We
+are, indeed, pointed to the different varieties of the human species, as
+examples of this progress. But these diversities, also, can be shown to be
+the same now as at the earliest date of historical records; and where,
+then, is the evidence that they ever have undergone, or ever will undergo,
+any change of importance? There may indeed be examples of amalgamation,
+but under favorable circumstances the original varieties are again
+developed.
+
+_In the third place, geology contradicts this hypothesis._
+
+We have seen that it offers no satisfactory explanation of the gradual
+increase of the more perfect animals and plants, as we rise higher in the
+rocks. That fact is most perfectly explained by supposing that divine
+wisdom and benevolence adapted the new species, which from time to time
+were created, to the changing and improving condition of the earth. A
+multitude of species have been dug from the rocks; but not one exhibits
+evidence of the development of new organs in the manner described by this
+hypothesis. New species often appear, but they differ as decidedly from
+the previous ones as species now do; and at the beginning of each
+formation there is often a very decided advance in the organic beings from
+those found in the top of the subjacent formation. How can this hypothesis
+explain such sudden changes, when its essential principle is, that the
+progress of the development is uniform? Nothing can explain them surely
+but special creating interposition.
+
+Geology also shows us that for a vast period the world existed without
+inhabitants. Now, what was it that gave the laws of nature power, after so
+long an operation unproductive of vitality, to produce organic natures?
+Who can conceive of any inherent force that should thus enable them, all
+at once, to do what true philosophy shows to have demanded infinite
+skill?
+
+In short, of all the sciences, geology most clearly shows special divine
+interference to explain its phenomena. It presents us with such stupendous
+changes, after long periods of repose, such sudden exhibitions of life,
+springing forth from the bosom of universal death, that nothing but
+divine, special, miraculous agency can explain the results. And of all the
+vast domains of nature, it seems to me no part is so barren of facts to
+sustain this hypothesis as the rocks; nor so full of facts for its
+refutation. These, however, have been so fully detailed in a previous part
+of this lecture that they need not be here repeated.
+
+_In the fourth place, the prodigious increase of the power and the means
+of reproduction, which we find among the lower tribes of animals, affords
+a strong presumption against this hypothesis._
+
+The animals highest on the scale, and most perfect in their organization,
+have only one mode of reproduction, viz., the viviparous. Descending a
+little lower, we come to the oviparous and ovoviviparous tribes. Passing
+to the invertebrate animals, we meet with two other modes of reproduction,
+the gemmiparous and fissiparous. In the first mode, the animal is
+propagated by buds, like some plants, as the tiger lily; by the second
+mode, a spontaneous division of the animal takes place.
+
+Now, in some of the lowest of the invertebrate tribes, we find most of the
+modes of propagation that have been enumerated in operation; so that the
+same individual in one set of circumstances is oviparous, in another
+gemmiparous or fissiparous. The consequence is, a power of multiplication
+inconceivably great. Mr. Owen calculates that the _ascaris lumbricoides_,
+the most common intestinal worm, is capable of producing sixty-four
+millions of young; and Ehrenberg asserts that the _hydatina senta_, one of
+the infusoria, increased in twelve days to sixteen millions, and another
+species, in four days, to one hundred and seventy billions.
+
+Why, now, are these astonishing powers of reproduction given to these
+minute animals, if it be true that they can also be produced without
+parentage, and by mere law? This latter mode would supersede the necessity
+of the former; and therefore, the care taken by Providence to provide the
+former is a strong presumption that the latter does not exist.
+
+_In the fifth place, it is an instructive fact on this subject that, as
+instruments have been improved, and observations have become more
+searching, the supposed cases of spontaneous generation have diminished_,
+until it is not pretended now that it takes place except in a very few
+tribes, and those the most obscure and difficult to observe of all living
+things. A hundred years ago, naturalists, and especially other men, might
+easily have been made to believe that many of the smaller insects had a
+casual origin. But long since, save in the matter of the acari, the
+entomological field has been abandoned by the advocates of the law
+hypothesis, and they have been driven from one tribe after another, till
+at length some of the obscure hiding-places of the entozoa and infusoria
+are now the only spots where the light is not too strong for the
+large-pupiled eyes of this hypothesis. Is not the presumption hence
+arising very strong that it will need only a little further improvement in
+instruments and care in observation to carry daylight into these recesses,
+and demonstrate the parentage and normal development of all organic
+beings?
+
+_Finally. The gross materialism inseparable from this hypothesis is a
+strong argument against it._
+
+I am not aware that any one, except Oken, perhaps, has ever attempted to
+show that mind, as a spiritual essence, distinct from matter, has been
+created by natural laws; in other words, that there is in nature a power
+to produce mind. All such maintain that intellect is material, or, rather,
+the result of organization, the mere function of the brain, as are also
+life and instinct. Generally, also, they contend--and, indeed, consistency
+seems to require it--that the moral powers depend chiefly upon different
+developments of the brain; so that a disposition to do wrong results more
+from organization than from punishable mental obliquity; indeed, the worst
+of criminals are often, on this account, more to be pitied than blamed,
+and the physician is of more importance than the moralist and the divine
+for their reformation.
+
+Now, if this system of materialism is true, we ought to embrace it,
+without any fear of ultimate bad effects. But a philosopher will hesitate
+long before he adopts a system which thus seems to degrade man from his
+lofty standing as a spiritual, accountable, and immortal being, and makes
+his intellectual and moral powers dependent upon the structure of the
+brain, and, therefore, destined to perish with the material organization,
+with no hope of future existence, unless God chooses to recreate the man.
+Nay, if there be no distinct spirit in man, what evidence have we that
+there is one in Jehovah? A true philosopher, I say, will demand very
+strong evidence before he adopts any hypothesis that leads a logical mind
+to such conclusions; and I see not how the one under consideration can
+terminate in any thing else.
+
+Such are the reasons that lead me to reject the hypothesis of creation by
+law. I have endeavored to treat the subject in a candid and philosophical
+manner, not charging atheism upon its advocates when they declare
+themselves Theists and Christians. Neither have I called in the aid of
+ridicule, as might easily be done, and as, in fact, has been done by
+almost every opponent of the system who has written upon it. I have
+endeavored to show that the hypothesis, tried in the balances of sound
+philosophy, is found wanting; because, in the first place, the facts
+adduced to sustain it are insufficient; and secondly, because, where one
+fact seems to favor it, a thousand testify against it. Is not the
+conclusion a fair one, that the hypothesis has no solid foundation? Is not
+the evidence against it overwhelming? Yet it has many advocates, and I
+must think--I hope not uncharitably--that these are the reasons: First,
+because men do not like the idea of a personal, present, overruling Deity;
+and secondly, because there is very little profound and thorough knowledge
+of natural history in the community. It is just such an hypothesis as
+chimes in with the taste of that part of the world who have a smattering
+of science, and who do not wish to live without some form of religion, but
+who still desire to free themselves from the inspection of a holy God, and
+from the responsibility which his existence and presence would impose.
+Depend upon it, gentlemen, you will meet these delusions not unfrequently
+among the cultivated classes of society, where they have already done
+immense mischief. You will, indeed, find all the eminent comparative
+anatomists and physiologists, such as Cuvier and Owen; such chemists as
+Liebig; such zoologists as Agassiz and Edward Forbes; such botanists as
+Hooker, Henslow, Lindley, Torrey, and Gray; and such geologists as De la
+Beche, Lyell, Murchison, Sedgwick, D'Orbigny, Buckland, and Miller,
+decided in their rejection of these views. But when even educated men
+obtain only a smattering of natural science, they find something very
+fascinating in this hypothesis; and this is just the religion, or,
+rather, the irreligion, that suits the superficial, selfish, and
+pleasure-seeking exquisites of fashionable drawing-rooms, theatres, and
+watering-places. You will find, therefore, the need of thoroughly studying
+this subject, or you will not be able, as you would wish, to vindicate the
+cause of true science and true religion.
+
+I cannot terminate this discussion without referring to an ingenious
+analogy, suggested by Hugh Miller, in his "Footprints of the Creator," and
+drawn from the facts he had stated respecting the degradation of species.
+No one who has thoroughly studied Bishop Butler's Analogy of Natural and
+Revealed Religion to the Course of Nature will venture to say that Mr.
+Miller's suggestions are mere fancy. As the ideas are entirely original
+with him, I give them in his own words.
+
+Having spoken of the several dynasties of animals that have succeeded one
+another on the globe, in a passage which we have already quoted, he says,
+"Passing on to the revealed record, we learn that the dynasty of man in
+the mixed state and character is not the final one; but that there is to
+be yet another creation, or, more properly, re-creation, known
+theologically as the resurrection, which shall be connected in its
+physical components, by bonds of mysterious paternity, with the dynasty
+which now reigns, and be bound to it mentally by the chain of identity,
+conscious and actual; but which, in all that constitutes superiority,
+shall be as vastly its superior as the dynasty of responsible man is
+superior to even the lowest of the preliminary dynasties. We are further
+taught that, at the commencement of this last of the dynasties, there will
+be a re-creation of not only elevated, but also of degraded beings--a
+re-creation of the lost. We are taught yet further that, though the
+present dynasty be that of a lapsed race, which at their first
+introduction were placed on higher ground than that on which they now
+stand, and sank by their own act, it was yet part of the original design,
+from the beginning of all things, that they should occupy the existing
+platform; and that redemption is thus no afterthought, rendered necessary
+by the fall, but, on the contrary, part of a general scheme, for which
+provision had been made from the beginning; so that the divine Man,
+through whom the work of restoration has been effected, was in reality, in
+reference to the purposes of the Eternal, what he is designated in the
+remarkable text, _the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world_. Slain
+from the foundation of the world! Could the assertors of the stony science
+ask for language more express? By piecing the two records together,--that
+revealed in Scripture and that revealed in the rocks,--records which,
+however widely geologists may mistake the one, or commentators
+misunderstand the other, have emanated from the same great Author,--we
+learn that in slow and solemn majesty has period succeeded period, each in
+succession, ushering in a higher and yet higher scene of existence; that
+fish, reptiles, mammiferous quadrupeds, have reigned in turn; that
+responsible man, 'made in the image of God,' and with dominion over all
+creatures, ultimately entered into a world ripened for his reception; but,
+further, that this passing scene, in which he forms the prominent figure,
+is not the final one in the long series, but merely the last of the
+_preliminary_ scenes; and that that period to which the by-gone ages,
+incalculable in amount, with all their well-proportioned gradations of
+being, form the imposing vestibule, shall have perfection for its occupant
+and eternity for its duration. I know not how it may appear to others, but
+for my own part I cannot avoid thinking that there would be a lack of
+proportion in the series of being, were the period of perfect and
+glorified humanity abruptly connected, without the introduction of an
+intermediate creation of _responsible_ imperfection with that of the
+dying, irresponsible brute. That scene of things in which God became man,
+and suffered, _seems_, as it no doubt _is_, a necessary link in the
+chain."
+
+A single concluding thought forces itself upon my mind. It is this: How
+ingenious and persevering men are in deluding themselves on the subject of
+religion! Since the time of Christ, what countless devices have they
+framed to escape from the lofty truths and spiritual piety of his gospel!
+Nor are they satisfied with this; for the gospel has shed so much light
+upon the religion of nature, that even this is more than men like; and,
+therefore, every science is ransacked for facts to neutralize all
+religion. Men's consciences do not permit them to throw off all the forms
+of religion; and, therefore, they are satisfied if they can only tear out
+its heart. They like to preserve and to embalm its external covering, as
+the naturalist does the skin of an animal for his cabinet. And as the
+latter fills his specimen with straw and arsenic, and fits glass eyes into
+it, so do men fill up their religious specimen with error and vain
+speculation, and fit into its head the eyes of false philosophy, and then
+claim for it intellectual worship. It is the business of educated men to
+show that such caricatures are neither science nor religion. May you,
+gentlemen, have your full share in this most useful and noble work.[19]
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE X.
+
+SPECIAL AND MIRACULOUS PROVIDENCE.
+
+
+Next in importance to the question whether the Deity exists, is the
+inquiry whether he exerts any direct agency in upholding the universe and
+in controlling its events. This point has been discussed in all ages in
+which there have been philosophers or theologians, and the current of
+opinion has fallen principally into three channels.
+
+In the first place, some have removed the Deity entirely from his works
+into a fancied extra-mundane sphere, where in solitude he might enjoy the
+blessedness of his own infinite nature, without the trouble of directing
+the events of the universe, or watching over the works of his hand.
+Forgetful of the great principle, that the intellectual powers produce
+happiness only when called into exercise, they have fancied that the care
+of the universe must be a burden to its Creator, and that it would
+derogate from his dignity. It is supposed, therefore, that the world has
+been given up to the rule of fate or chance.
+
+In the second place, a more numerous class have maintained that the
+Supreme Being, after creating the world, committed its preservation and
+government either to a subordinate agent, or to the laws which he
+impressed upon matter and mind, which possess an inherent power to execute
+themselves; so that, in fact, God exercises no direct and immediate agency
+in natural operations. The learned and usually profound Cudworth adopted
+the hypothesis of a _plastic nature_, as he terms it, by which he means a
+vital, spiritual, and unintelligent, yet subordinate agent, by whose
+agency the world is governed and its operations carried on. At first view,
+this hypothesis would seem to lead inevitably to atheism; but such was not
+the intention of its author. Still, it is obviously so clumsy, that had it
+not been the product of a great mind, it never would have received so much
+notice, or called forth such mighty efforts for its refutation, as have
+been bestowed upon it.
+
+Two varieties of opinion exist among those who believe the world governed
+and sustained by natural laws, established by the Deity. Some maintain
+that these laws are general, not particular; not extending to minor
+events, but only the more important; not providing for species, but only
+for families. Hence they suppose that these general cases may interfere
+with one another, and produce results apparently repugnant to the
+intention of their Author. Others, shocked at the absurdity of such
+conclusions, believe the laws of nature to extend to every event, and
+never to interfere with one another, and always to act in accordance with
+the divine will and appointment, but without any direct agency exerted by
+the Deity. They suppose these laws--in other words, secondary agencies--to
+have the power of producing all natural phenomena.
+
+In the third place, there are others who believe that a law can have no
+efficiency without the presence and agency of the lawgiver. They,
+therefore, suppose every event in the natural world to be the result of
+the direct and immediate agency of God. What we call laws are only the
+uniform mode of his operation. They agree with the advocates of the
+last-named theory in supposing the laws of nature to extend to every
+event, and to be in accordance with the ordination of the Deity; but they
+differ in maintaining that the presence and direct efficiency of a
+lawgiver are essential to the operation of natural laws.
+
+I should then define a Special Providence to be an event brought about
+apparently by natural laws, yet, in fact, the result of a special agency,
+on the part of the Deity, to meet a particular exigency, either by an
+original arrangement of natural laws, or by a modification of second
+causes, out of sight at the time.
+
+The doctrine, which supposes the Deity to exercise a superintendence and
+direction over all the affairs of the universe, in any of the modes that
+have been mentioned, whether by a subordinate agent, or by laws, general
+or particular, with inherent self-executing power, or by the direct
+efficiency of the divine will, is called the doctrine of divine
+providence. If the superintendence extend only to general laws, it is
+called a general providence. If those laws reach every possible case, it
+is called a particular or universal providence.
+
+By a _Miraculous Providence_ is meant a superintendence over the world
+that interferes, when desirable, with the regular operations of nature,
+and brings about events, either in opposition to natural laws, or by
+giving them a less or greater power than usual. In either of these cases,
+the events cannot be explained by natural laws; they are above, or
+contrary to, nature, and, therefore, are called miracles, or prodigies.
+
+There may be, and, as I believe, there is, another class of occurrences,
+intermediate between miracles and events strictly natural. These take
+place in perfect accordance with the natural laws within human view, and
+appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by those laws; and yet, in some
+way or other, we learn that they required some special exercise of divine
+power, out of human view, for their production. Thus, according to the
+views of most Christian denominations, conversion takes place in the human
+heart in perfect accordance with the laws of mind, and could be
+philosophically explained by them; yet revelation assures that it _is not
+of blood,_ [natural descent,] _nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
+will of man, but of God_. Divine power, therefore, is essential to the
+change, although we see only the operation of natural causes. So a storm
+may appear to us to be perfectly accounted for by natural laws; and yet
+divine efficiency might have produced a change in some of those laws out
+of our sight, and thus meet a particular exigency. Such events I call
+_special providence_; and I maintain that we cannot tell how frequently
+they may occur.
+
+It is chiefly the bearings of science, especially of geology, upon the
+doctrine of miraculous and special providence, which I wish to consider.
+But it may form a useful introduction, to state the evidence, which goes
+to show that the agency of the Deity, in the ordinary operations of
+nature, is a direct efficiency; or, in other words, that the laws of
+nature are only the modes in which divine agency operates.
+
+In the first place, if we suppose ever so many secondary causes to be
+concerned in natural events, the efficiency must, after all, be referred
+to God.
+
+What is a secondary cause? or, in other words, what is a law of nature
+considered as a cause? It is simply a uniform mode of operation. We find
+that heavy bodies uniformly tend towards the earth's centre, and that we
+call the law of gravity; but if those bodies sometimes ascended, and
+sometimes moved horizontally, under the same circumstances, we could not
+infer the existence of such a law.
+
+Now, there must be some cause for uniformity of operation in nature. There
+must be some foreign power, which gives the uniformity, since it is
+certain that the law itself can possess no efficiency. We may, indeed,
+find one law dependent upon a second law, and this upon a third, and so
+on. But the inquiry still arises, What gives the efficiency to this second
+and third law? and still the answer must be, Something out of itself. So
+that if we run back on the chain of causes ever so far, we must still
+resort to the power of the Deity to find any efficiency that will produce
+the final result. In most cases, we can trace back only one or two links
+on the chain. For instance, we account for the falling of all bodies by
+the law of gravity. But philosophers have wearied themselves in vain to
+find any cause for gravity, except in the will of God. The failure of
+every other hypothesis, though invented by such men as Newton and Le Sage,
+has been signal. Sound philosophy, then, requires us to infer that gravity
+owes its efficiency to the direct exertion of divine power. And so in all
+cases, when we can no longer discover second causes for any phenomenon,
+why should we imagine their existence, rather than refer it to the agency
+of God? For go back as far as we may, and discover a thousand intervening
+causes, the efficiency resides alone in God. We have no evidence that even
+infinite power can communicate that efficiency to the laws of nature, so
+that they can act without the presence and agency of God. The common idea,
+which endows those laws with independent power, will not bear examination.
+
+In the second place, if natural operations do not depend upon the exercise
+of divine power, no other efficient cause can be assigned for their
+production.
+
+We have seen that in the laws of nature, independently of the Deity, there
+is no efficiency; and I know not where else we can resort for any agency
+to carry forward the operations of nature, except to the same infinite
+Being. The fate and chance of the ancients, the plastic nature of
+Cudworth, the delegated nature of Lamarck, are indeed names invented by
+men to designate a certain imaginary efficiency residing somewhere,
+independent of the Deity, by which the phenomena of nature have been
+supposed to be produced. But the moment they are described, they are found
+to be mere imaginary agencies, meaning nothing more than the course of
+nature, or the laws of nature, which we have seen possess no independent
+efficiency. To a divine agency, therefore, we must resort, or be left
+without any adequate cause for the complicated and wonderful processes of
+nature.
+
+In the third place, this view of the subject is strongly confirmed by the
+Christian Scriptures.
+
+How universal is the divine agency represented in the well-known
+passage--_for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things_.
+Equally vivid is Paul's statement on Mars Hill--_In him we live, and move,
+and have our being._ How graphic a description is the 147th Psalm of God's
+agency in the natural world! Not only is all good ascribed to God, but
+evil also. By the mouth of Isaiah he says, _I form light and create
+darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things._
+In short, no event in the material or spiritual world is by the sacred
+writers ascribed to chance, or to nature, or the laws of nature, as it is
+among men; but to the direct efficiency of God. Nor is there any
+difference in this respect between miracles and common events. The one
+class is represented as originating in the agency of God, just as much as
+the other.
+
+Finally. It will hardly be thought strange, in view of the preceding
+considerations, that a large proportion of the most acute and
+philosophical minds in modern times have preferred this view of divine
+providence to any other.
+
+Sir Isaac Newton declares that the various parts of the world, organic and
+inorganic, "can be the effect of nothing else than the wisdom and skill of
+a powerful, ever-living Agent, who, being in all places, is more able by
+his will to move the bodies within his boundless, uniform _sensorium_,
+thereby to form and reform the parts of the universe, than we are by our
+will to move the parts of our own bodies."
+
+Says Dr. Clarke, the friend and disciple of Newton, "All things which we
+commonly say are the effects of the natural powers of matter, and laws of
+motion, are, indeed, if we will speak strictly and properly, the effects
+of God's action upon matter continually, and at every moment, either
+immediately by himself, or mediately by some created, intelligent being.
+Consequently there is no such thing as the course of nature, or the power
+of nature, independent of the effects produced by the will of God."
+
+In speaking of the principle of vegetable life, Sir James Edward Smith,
+the eminent botanist, says, "I humbly conceive that, if the human
+understanding can in any case flatter itself with obtaining, in the
+natural world, a glimpse of the _immediate agency_ of the Deity, it is in
+the contemplation of this _vital principle_, which seems independent of
+material organization, and an impulse, of his own divine
+energy."--_Introduction to Botany_, p. 26, (Boston edition.)
+
+"We would no way be understood," says Sir John Herschel, "to deny the
+constant exercise of this [God's] direct power in maintaining the system
+of nature, or the ultimate emanation of every energy, which material
+agents exert, from his immediate will, acting in conformity with his own
+laws."--_Discourse on Nat. Philosophy._
+
+"A law," says Professor Whewell, "supposes an agent and a power; for it is
+the mode according to which the agent proceeds, the order according to
+which the power acts. Without the presence of such an agent, of such a
+power, conscious of the relations on which the law depends, producing the
+effects which the law prescribes, the law can have no efficiency, no
+existence. Hence we infer that the intelligence by which the law is
+ordained, the power by which it is put in action, must be present at all
+times and in all places where the effects of the law occur; that thus the
+knowledge and the agency of the divine Being pervades every portion of the
+universe, producing all action and passion, all permanence and change. The
+laws of nature are the laws which He, in his wisdom, prescribes to his own
+acts; his universal presence is the necessary condition of any course of
+events; his universal agency the only origin of any efficient
+force."--_Bridgewater Treatise_, p. 270.
+
+"The student in natural philosophy," observes the Bishop of London, "will
+find rest from all those perplexities, which are occasioned by the
+obscurity of causation, in the proposition which, although it was
+discredited by the patronage of Malebranche and the Cartesians, has been
+adopted by Clarke and Dugald Stewart, and which is by far the most simple
+and sublime account of the matter--that all events which are continually
+taking place in the different parts of the material universe are the
+_immediate_ effects of the divine agency."--_Whewell's Bridgewater
+Treatise_, p. 273.
+
+"Jonathan Edwards," says M'Cosh in his Method of the Divine Government,
+"somewhere illustrates the manner in which God upholds the universe, by
+the way in which an image is upheld in a mirror. That image is maintained
+by a continual flow of rays of light, each succeeding pencil of which
+does not differ from that by which the image was first produced. He
+conceives that the universe is, in every part of it, supported in a
+similar way by a continual succession of acts of the divine will, and
+these not differing from that which at first caused the world to spring
+into existence. Now, it may be safely said of this theory that it cannot
+be disproved. Several considerations may be urged in support of it."
+
+Which of the views respecting divine providence that have been stated has
+the best practical tendency, seems hardly to admit of doubt. If we believe
+that God has submitted the direction and government of this world to a
+subordinate agent, a plastic nature; or if we suppose he has impressed
+matter and mind with certain general laws, which have the power of
+executing themselves without his agency, and especially if in their
+operation they do sometimes actually clash with one another, or even if
+those laws extend to every movement of matter and mind,--still, if they do
+not require divine efficiency, men cannot but feel that God is removed
+from his works, and that the laws of nature, and not his agency, are their
+security. But if they believe that every movement of matter or mind
+requires a direct exercise of divine power or efficiency, just as much as
+if every event was a miracle, it cannot but bring God near to us, and make
+us realize his presence.
+
+If we obtain a timepiece from London or Paris, which contains all the
+springs and wheels requisite to keep it in operation, by occasionally
+winding it up, how little do we think of the artist who constructed it,
+except, perhaps, occasionally to admire his ingenuity! But if it had been
+necessary for that artist to accompany the chronometer, and actually to
+put forth the strength of his own arm every moment to keep it in motion,
+how much more should we think of him and realize his presence! The same
+effect, in a greater or less degree, will attend the belief that God must
+be not only virtually, but substantially, present every where, and be
+constantly exercising his power to keep in operation the vast machine of
+the universe. It cannot but deeply impress the heart, and exert a most
+salutary influence upon the affections, to realize that every event around
+us is brought about by the immediate agency of the supreme Being.
+
+But notwithstanding the salutary influence of this view of Providence upon
+our moral feelings, and though philosophy pronounces it decidedly the most
+reasonable, still it meets with strong opposition. I need not stop to
+notice the objections, that it makes God the author of evil as well as
+good, and that it represents man as a mere machine in the hands of the
+Deity, and therefore takes away human responsibility. I say I need not
+stop to answer such objections, because they lie equally strong against
+any system which makes God the original author of the universe. But a more
+plausible objection is, that it makes all events miraculous. This
+objection is based on the supposition that every event which takes place
+through the direct and immediate agency of God is a miracle. But is this
+the true meaning of a miracle? Is the term ever applied to any but
+extraordinary events? It may or it may not imply a contravention of the
+laws of nature. But it does always imply something which the laws of
+nature cannot produce, and which, of course, they cannot explain. It is
+always the result of some new force coming in to the aid of the laws of
+nature, or in the place of them, or even sometimes, perhaps, in opposition
+to them; as when the _sun stood still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the
+valley of Ajalon_. Hence an event may take place through the direct and
+immediate agency of God, and yet not be a miracle. If it be neither
+above, nor independent of, nor in opposition to the laws of nature, then
+it forms a part of the ordinary providence of God; it is a part of the
+usual, the fixed and uniform course of nature, and can be explained by
+known and unalterable laws. The nature of the event is not affected at all
+by the question whether it is produced by the direct efficiency of God, or
+by a power inherent in those laws. We, who believe that the direct
+efficiency of God is necessary to the operation, and even to the
+existence, of the laws of nature, are just as firm believers in the
+constancy of those laws as he who supposes them possessed of inherent
+powers. When that constancy is interrupted in any way, we call it a
+miracle. Hence it appears that our views of the nature of a miracle are
+the same as his, viz., an event which takes place out of the ordinary
+course of nature; and, therefore, our system is no more liable to the
+objection that all events are made miracles than his system.
+
+The way is now prepared for inquiring what geology teaches respecting the
+ordinary and extraordinary providence of God over this world.
+
+The evidences of ordinary providence, which are common to geology and
+other sources of proof, I shall pass by; both because they are familiar to
+all, and because I have, in a former lecture, shown the existence and
+operation of the present laws of nature in all past ages. But there is one
+feature of the past condition of the world taught by geology to which I
+would call your attention, as exhibiting a more impressive view of the
+wisdom and skill of ordinary providence than almost any other department
+of nature presents. When the heavenly bodies are once put under the
+control of the two great forces that guide them, viz., the centrifugal and
+centripetal, we see no reason why they may not move on forever in their
+accustomed paths. But the two great agents of geological change, fire and
+water, have an aspect of great irregularity and violence, and are
+apparently less under the control of mathematical laws. In the mighty
+intensity of their action in early times, we can hardly see how there
+could have been much of security or permanence in the state of the globe,
+without the constant restraining energy of Jehovah. We feel as if the
+earth's crust must have been constantly liable to be torn in pieces by
+volcanic fires, or drenched by sweeping deluges. And yet the various
+economies of life on the globe, that have preceded the present, have all
+been seasons of profound repose and uniformity. The truth is, these mighty
+agencies have been just as much under the divine control as those which
+regulate the heavenly bodies; and I doubt not but the laws that regulate
+their action are as fixed and mathematical as those which guide the sun,
+moon, and planets. Still, it must have required infinite wisdom and power
+so to arrange the agencies of nature that the desolating action of fire
+and water should take place only at those epochs when every thing was in
+readiness for the ruin of an old economy and the introduction of a new
+one. Geological agencies differ from astronomical in this--that the former
+must be allowed an irregular action within certain limits; whereas the
+latter act with unvarying uniformity in all circumstances. If the former
+had not some room for irregular action, they would not act at all; but if
+allowed too much liberty, they will destroy what they were intended to
+preserve. And God does restrain, and always has restrained them, just at
+the point where desolation would be the result of their more powerful
+operation. I do not, indeed, contend that it requires more power or wisdom
+to bind those mighty agencies within proper limits than to control the
+heavenly bodies. But to our limited faculties it certainly seems a more
+difficult work; and, therefore, the geological history of the globe gives
+us a more impressive idea of the ordinary providence of God than we see in
+the calm and uniform movements of nature around us.
+
+_In the second place, geology furnishes us with some very striking
+examples of miraculous providence._
+
+In disproving the eternity of the organic world, in a former lecture, I
+adduced and illustrated these examples so fully, that I shall do little
+more in this place than give a recapitulation of that argument.
+
+If we suppose the earth originally to have been merely a diffused mass of
+vapor, like comets, or nebulae, I can conceive how, by the operation of
+such natural laws as now exist, it might have been condensed into a solid
+globe; into a melted state, indeed, from the amount of heat extricated in
+the condensation. Those same laws might subsequently form over the molten
+mass a solid crust, which, at length, might be ridged and furrowed by the
+action of internal heat, so as to form the basis of continents and the
+beds of oceans. In due time, the vapors might condense, so as to fill
+those basins with water; and, by the mutual and alternate action of the
+waters above and the heat beneath, the rocks might be comminuted, so as to
+form the basis of soils. So far might the arrangements of the world have
+proceeded by natural laws; in other words, by the ordinary providence of
+God. But at this point we must bring in an extraordinary agency of the
+Deity, or the world would have remained, in the expressive language of
+revelation, _without form and void_; that is, invisible and unfurnished.
+You have, indeed, the framework of a world, but the most difficult and
+complicated part of the work, the creation of plants and animals, remains
+yet to be performed. Here, then, is the precise point where you must call
+in the miraculous agency of the Deity, or the earth would forever remain
+an uninhabited waste. For if it does not require miraculous agency to
+bring into existence animals and plants, I know not what can require it,
+or prove its operation. I can almost as easily conceive how matter might
+spring from nothing fortuitously, certainly I can as easily conceive of
+its eternity, as that organism and life can result from the ordinary laws
+of nature.
+
+It may be, however, that I shall here be met by the statement, that some
+distinguished geologists maintain the probable existence of organized
+beings on the globe at an indefinitely earlier period than that in which
+their remains first appear in the rocks. They contend that the extreme
+heat which has melted the older rocks has obliterated all traces of
+organic existence below a certain line. Now, in order to meet this
+difficulty, it is not necessary to show this opinion to be erroneous. We
+have only to advance another step in our general argument, which brings us
+upon ground admitted to be good by the geologists above alluded to. They
+all of them believe that many new animals and plants have from time to
+time appeared on the globe; that, in fact, there have been several almost
+entire changes in its inhabitants. Most of them suppose these new races to
+have been introduced in large numbers at particular epochs, though some
+prefer the theory which supposes the new species to have been introduced
+one by one, as the old ones became extinct. But even this supposition does
+not essentially affect my argument; because they all allow that these
+successive species were really new, and could not have been the result of
+any metamorphosis of the old species. And it is the fact that new organic
+beings have, from time to time, been created, that is alone essential to
+my argument. Whether they were created by groups or singly, is an
+interesting geological question; but, in either case, miraculous power
+must have been put forth as really and as efficiently to call into
+existence a single new species of animalcula, or sea-weed, as to introduce
+an entirely new race. The successive economies of organic life that have
+existed on the earth, and passed from it, do most unequivocally
+demonstrate the extraordinary or miraculous providence of God.
+
+But we might abandon even this strong ground of our argument, and still
+geology would afford us a most unequivocal example of the creative agency
+of the Deity. That science shows, beyond all question, that man, and most
+of his contemporary races of animals and plants, have not always occupied
+this globe; and, indeed, that they were not placed upon it till nearly
+every form buried in the rocks had passed away. And since those races
+which now inhabit the globe have among them a larger proportion of highly
+organized and more complicated species than have ever before been
+contemporaries,--especially since man is among them, confessedly the most
+perfect in organization and in intellect of all the beings that ever
+occupied this planet,--we can here point to the highest exercise of
+creative power ever exhibited in this lower world, as a certain memento of
+God's extraordinary or miraculous providence. Indeed, who, that has any
+adequate idea of the wonders of man's intellectual, moral, and immortal
+nature, and of the strange extremes that meet and harmonize in his
+physical and intellectual constitution, will believe that any loftier
+miracle has ever been exhibited on this globe than his creation?
+
+But I have already dwelt so long upon this whole argument in a former
+lecture, that I will add no more in this place. If the facts which I have
+stated do not prove the miraculous agency of the Deity in past ages, I
+know not how it can be proved. But assuming this position to be
+established, and several inferences of importance will follow.
+
+_In the first place, this subject removes all philosophical presumption
+against a special revelation from heaven._
+
+If we can prove that the Deity has often so interfered with the course of
+nature as to introduce new species, nay, whole races of animals and plants
+upon the globe,--if, in a comparatively recent period, he has created a
+moral and immortal being, endowed with all the powers of a free and an
+accountable agent,--it would surely be no more wonderful if he should
+communicate to that being his will by a written revelation. Indeed, the
+benevolence of the Deity, as we learn it from nature, would create a
+presumption that such a revelation would be given, if it appear, as we
+know it does, that no sufficient knowledge is inherent in his nature to
+guide him in the path of duty; since such a revelation would be no greater
+miracle than to people the world, originally destitute of life, and then
+to repeople it again and again, with so vast a variety of organic natures.
+Philosophy has sometimes been disinclined to admit the claims of
+revelation, because it implies a supernatural agency of the Deity; and,
+until recently, revelation seemed to be a solitary example of special
+interference on the part of Jehovah. But geology adds other examples, long
+anterior to revelation--examples registered, like the laws of Sinai, on
+tables of stone. And the admission of the geological evidence of special
+interference with the regular sequence of nature's operations ought to
+predispose the mind for listening to the appropriate proofs of a moral
+communication to ignorant and erring man.
+
+_In the second place, the subject shows us how groundless is the famous
+objection to the miracles recorded in Scripture, founded on the position
+that they are contrary to experience._
+
+"It is," says Mr. Hume, "a maxim worthy of our attention, that no
+testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of
+such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact
+which it endeavors to establish." Hence he asserts, that "the evidence of
+testimony, when applied to a miracle, carries falsehood on the very face
+of it, and is more properly a subject of derision than of argument," and
+that "whoever believes the Christian religion is conscious of a continued
+miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his
+understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most
+contrary to custom and experience."
+
+At the time when Mr. Hume wrote, and with his great skill in weaving
+together metaphysical subtilties, such an argument might deceive
+superficial minds; for then a miracle was supposed to be contrary to all
+experience. But geology has disclosed many new chapters in the world's
+history, and shown the existence of miracles earlier than chronological
+dates. Even Mr. Hume would hardly deny that the creation of whole series
+of animals and plants was miraculous; and yet, in proof of that creation,
+we need not depend upon testimony; for we can read it with our own eyes
+upon the solid rocks. Such proof appeals directly to our common sense; nor
+can any ingenious quibble, concerning the nature of human testimony,
+weaken its influence in producing conviction.
+
+And if God has wrought stupendous miracles of creation in order to people
+the world, who does not see that it is still more probable he would
+perform other miracles when they were needed to substantiate a revelation
+of his will to those moral and accountable beings, who needed its special
+teachings to make them acquainted with their God, their duty, and their
+destiny?
+
+_Finally. The subject removes all presumption against the exercise of a
+special and miraculous providence in the divine government of the world._
+
+In all ages of the world, philosophers, and even many theologians, have
+been strenuous opposers of special and miraculous providence. If they have
+admitted, as most of the latter class have done, that some miracles were
+performed in ancient times, they have strenuously maintained that the
+doctrine of special providence in these days is absurd, and that God
+cannot, without a miracle, bestow any special favors upon the virtuous in
+answer to their prayers, or inflict any special punishments upon the
+wicked; and that it is fanaticism to expect any other retributions than
+such as the ordinary and unmodified course of nature brings along with it.
+
+The unvarying constancy of nature, in consequence of being governed by
+fixed laws, is the grand argument which they adduce in opposition to any
+supposed special providence. _Since the fathers fell asleep_, say they,
+_all things continue as they were from the beginning._ God has subjected
+the world to the government of laws, and he will not interfere with,
+counteract, set aside, or give a supernatural force to those laws, to meet
+particular exigencies. For the adjustment of all apparent inequalities of
+good and evil, suffering and enjoyment here, we must wait for the
+disclosure of eternity, when strict retributive Justice will hold her even
+scales. When natural evils come upon us, therefore, it is idle to expect
+their removal, except so far as they may be mitigated or overcome by
+natural means; and hence it is useless to pray for their removal, or to
+expect God will deliver us from them in any other way. When the heavens
+over us become brass, and the earth under our feet iron, and the rain of
+our land is powder and dust, and want, and famine, as the consequence,
+stalk forth among the inhabitants, of what use to pray to God for rain,
+since to give it would require a miracle, and the age of miracles has
+passed? When the pestilence is scouring through the land, and our
+neighbors and nearest friends are within its grasp, and we may next become
+its victims,--nay, when we, too, are on the borders of the grave,--why
+should we expect relief by prayer, since sickness is the result of natural
+causes, and God will not interpose to save us from the effects of natural
+evils, because that would be contrary to a fixed rule of his government?
+When dangers cluster around the good man in the discharge of trying
+duties, it would be enthusiasm in him to expect any special protection
+against his enemies, though he pray ever so fervently, and trust in divine
+deliverance with ever so much confidence. He must look to another world
+for his reward, if called to suffer here. Nor has the daringly wicked man
+any reason to fear that God will punish his violations of the divine law
+by any unusual display of his power; not in any way, indeed, but by the
+evils which naturally flow from a wicked life. In short, it will be
+useless to pray for any blessing that requires the least interference with
+natural laws, or for the removal of any evil which depends upon those
+laws. And since our minds are controlled as much by laws as the functions
+of our bodies, we are not to expect any blessings in our souls, which
+require the least infringement of intellectual laws. In fine, the effect
+of prayer is limited almost entirely to its influence upon our own hearts,
+in preparing them to receive with a proper spirit natural blessings, and
+to bear aright natural evils; to stimulate us to use with more diligence
+the means of avoiding or removing the latter, and securing the former.
+
+Not a few philosophers of distinction, and some theologians, have adopted
+these views. Even Dr. Thomas Brown uses the following language: "It is
+quite evident that even Omnipotence, which cannot do what is
+contradictory, cannot combine both advantages--the advantage of regular
+order in the sequences of nature, and the advantages of a uniform
+adaptation of the particular circumstances of the individual. We may take
+our choice, but we cannot think of a combination of both; and if, as is
+very obvious, the greater advantage be that of uniformity of operation, we
+must not complain of the evils to which that very uniformity which we
+cannot fail to prefer--if the option had been allowed us--has been the
+very circumstance that gave rise."--_Lecture 94._
+
+"Science," says George Combe, "has banished from the minds of profound
+thinkers belief in the exercise by the Deity, in our day, of special acts
+of supernatural power, as a means of influencing human affairs; and it has
+presented a systematic order of nature, which man may study, comprehend,
+and follow, as a guide to his practical conduct. Many educated laymen, and
+also a number of the clergy, have declined to recognize fasts,
+humiliations, and prayers, as means adapted, according to their views, to
+avert the recurrence of the evil, [the potato blight.] Indeed, these
+observances, inasmuch as they mislead the public mind with respect to its
+causes, are regarded by such persons as positive evils."
+
+"The most irreligious of all religious notions, as it seems to us," says
+the North American Review, "is a belief in special providences; for if the
+doctrine has any weight at all, it is gained at the expense of a general
+providence. To assume to detect God as nearer to us on some occasions is
+to put him farther off from us on other occasions. To have him in special
+incidents is to forget him in the common tenor of events. The doctrine of
+special providences evidently has no other foundation than this, that men
+_think they can detect_ God's purpose and presence more signally in some
+incidents than in others; so that the doctrine, after all, is only a
+compliment to man's power of detection, instead of an acknowledgment of
+God's special presence."
+
+Such views and reasonings seem, upon a superficial examination, to be very
+plausible. But when we look into the Bible, we cannot but see that the
+main drift of it is directly opposed to such notions. That book does
+encourage man to pray to God for the removal of evils of every kind; evils
+as much dependent upon natural laws as the daily course of the sun through
+the heavens. It does teach us to look to God in every trying situation for
+deliverance, if it is best for us to be delivered. It does represent the
+wicked man as in danger of special punishment. It exhibits a multitude of
+examples, in which God has thus delivered those who trusted in him, and
+punished those who violated his laws.
+
+In every age, too, the most devotedly pious men have testified, that they
+have found deliverance and support in circumstances in which mere natural
+laws could afford them no relief. Moreover, when men are brought into
+great peril or suffering of any kind, they involuntarily cry to God for
+help. When the vessel founders in the fury of the storm, the hardened
+sailor employs that breath in ardent prayer which just before had been
+poured out in blasphemies. And when the widowed mother hears the tempest
+howling around her dwelling at night, she cannot but pray for the
+protection of her child upon the treacherous sea. When violent disease
+racks the frame, and we feel ourselves rapidly sinking into the grave, it
+is scarcely in human nature to omit crying to God with a feeling that he
+can save us. In short, it is a dictate of nature to call upon God in times
+of trouble. Our reasoning about the constancy of nature, which appears to
+us while in safety so clearly to show prayer for the removal of natural
+evils to be useless, loses its power, and the feelings of the heart
+triumph. It now becomes, therefore, an important practical question, which
+of these views of the providence of God is correct. Is it those which our
+reasoning derives from the constancy of nature, or those inspired by piety
+and the Bible? I have already said, that the subject of this lecture
+removes all presumption against the latter view; and I now proceed to show
+how God can exercise a special providence over the world, so as to meet
+the case of every individual, whether for blessing or punishment, and
+that, too, without miracles.
+
+Whoever believes that geology discloses stupendous miracles of creation,
+at various epochs, will not doubt that all presumption against miraculous
+agency at any other time is thus removed. For we are thus shown that the
+law of miracles forms a part of the divine plan in the government of the
+world. But this does not prove the same to be the fact in respect to a law
+of special providence.
+
+It is indeed true that geology gives us no distinct examples of special
+providence, in the sense which we have attached to that term in the
+present lecture. But it does furnish a multitude of instances in which
+changes of physical condition in the earth were met by most wisely adapted
+changes of organic nature. And even though these changes were the result
+of miraculous agency, they disclose this principle of the divine
+government, viz., that peculiarities of condition are to be met by special
+arrangements, so that every exigency shall be provided for in the manner
+infinite wisdom sees to be best. Now, this principle constitutes the
+essence of special providence; and, therefore, geology, in showing its
+past operation in the world's early organic history, affords a presumption
+that the same unchanging God may still employ it in his natural and moral
+government.
+
+But does not this principle of special adaptation to individual exigencies
+demand miraculous agency in all cases? Can the wants of individuals be met
+in any other way than by miracles, or by the ordinary and settled laws of
+nature? I maintain that there are other modes in which this can be done;
+in which, in fact, every case requiring special interference can be met
+exactly and fully.
+
+_This can be done, in the first place, by a divine influence exerted upon
+the human mind, unperceived by the individual._
+
+If it were perceived, it would constitute a miracle. But can we doubt that
+the Author of mind should be able to influence it directly and indirectly,
+unperceived by the man so acted upon? Even man can do this to his fellow;
+and shall such a power be denied to God?
+
+Now, in many cases,--I do not say all,--it only needs that the minds of
+others should be inclined to do so and so towards a man, in order to place
+him in circumstances most unlike those that would have surrounded him
+without such an influence. Even the very elements, being to some extent
+under human control, can thus be made subservient, or adverse, to an
+individual; and, indeed, by a change in the feelings and conduct of others
+towards us, by an unseen influence upon their minds, our whole outward
+condition may be changed. In this way, therefore, can God, in many
+instances, confer blessings on the virtuous, or execute punishment upon
+the wicked, or give special answers to special prayer; and yet there
+shall be no miracle about it, nor even the slightest violation of a law of
+matter or of mind. The result may seem to us only the natural effect of
+those laws, and yet the divine influence may have modified the effect to
+any extent.
+
+_In the second place, God can so modify the second causes of events out of
+our sight, as to change wholly, or in part, the final result, and yet not
+disturb the usual order of nature within sight, so that there shall be no
+miracle._
+
+A miracle requires that the usual order of nature, as man sees it, be
+interrupted, or some force superadded to her agency. But if such change
+take place out of our sight, it might not disturb that order within sight;
+and, therefore, to us it would be no miracle.
+
+The mode in which this can be done depends upon the fact that in nature we
+often find several causes, essential to produce an effect, connected
+together, as it were, in a chain; so that each link depends upon that
+which precedes it. Thus the power of vision depends upon the optic nerve,
+in the bottom of the eye. But this would be useless, were not the coats
+and humors of the eye of a certain consistence and curvature, in order to
+bring the rays together to form an image on the retina. Again, these coats
+and humors depend upon light, and light depends for its transmission,
+probably, upon that exceedingly elastic medium called the _luminiferous
+ether_. This is as far back as we can trace the series of causes concerned
+in producing vision. And yet this elastic ether may depend upon something
+else, and this cause of the movement of the ether upon another cause; and
+we know not how long the chain may be before we reach the great First
+Cause. Now, if any one of this series of second causes be modified, the
+effect will be a modification of the final result. This supposed
+modification may take place in that part of the chain of causes within our
+view, or in that part concealed from us. If it took place within sight, it
+would constitute a miracle; because the regular sequence of cause and
+effect would be broken off, or an unnatural power be imparted to the cause
+producing the ultimate effect. If the modification took place in that part
+of the chain of second causes out of our sight, the final effect would be
+no miracle; because it would be brought about by natural laws, and these
+would perfectly explain it. Nevertheless, this ultimate effect would be
+different from what it would be if God had not touched and modified that
+link of causation which lies out of our sight, back among the secret
+agencies of his will. And I see not but in this way he might modify the
+ultimate effect as much as he pleased, and still preserve the unvarying
+constancy of nature. For in all these cases we should see only the links
+of the chain of causes nearest to us; and, provided they operated in their
+usual order, how could we know that any change had taken place in the
+region beyond our knowledge? If the whole chain of causation were open to
+our inspection, then, indeed, would the transaction be an obvious miracle;
+but now we see nothing but the unchanging operation of natural laws.
+
+To illustrate this principle, let us imagine a few examples. Suppose the
+land visited by drought, and its pious inhabitants assemble to pray for
+rain. We know very well that the causes on which a storm of rain depend
+are very complicated. How easy for the divine Being, in answer to those
+prayers, to modify one or more of these secret agencies of meteorological
+change, that are concealed from our sight, so as to bring together the
+vapors over the land and condense them into rain! And yet that storm shall
+have nothing about it unusual, and it results from the same laws which we
+have before seen to be in operation. Still, it may have been the result of
+a special agency exerted by Jehovah in answer to prayer, yet in such a
+manner that no known law of nature is infringed upon, or even rendered
+more powerful in its action.
+
+Equally intricate and complicated are the causes of disease, and
+especially of those pestilences that sometimes march over a whole
+continent, with the angel of death in their train; and alike easy is it
+for God, in answer to earnest prayer, to avert their progress, or to
+cripple their power, or turn them aside from a particular district,
+without the least interference with the visible connection of cause and
+effect.
+
+The beloved father of a family lies upon a bed of sickness, and disease is
+fast gaining upon the powers of life. His numerous and desolate family, in
+spite of the cold suggestion that it will be of no avail, will earnestly
+beseech the Being in whose hands is the power of disease, to arrest the
+fatal malady. And could not their Father in heaven, in the way I have
+pointed out, give them their request, and yet their parent's recovery be
+the natural result of careful nursing and medical skill? imposing,
+however, upon that family as great an obligation as if a manifest miracle
+had been wrought to save him.
+
+The widow's only son, in spite of her counsels and entreaties, becomes a
+vagabond upon the seas, and, at length, one of the crew of the battle
+ship. The perils of the deep and of vicious companions are enough to make
+that widow a daily and most earnest suppliant at the mercy-seat of her
+heavenly Father, for his protection and salvation. But, at length, war
+breaks out, and the perils of battle render his fate more doubtful. Still,
+faith in God buoys up her heart, and she cannot abandon the hope of yet
+seeing her son returned, reformed, and becoming a useful man. And at
+length, rescued from the storm and shipwreck, and the carnage of battle,
+and the yet more dangerous snares of sin, that youth returns, a renovated
+man, and cheers that mother's setting sun by an eminently useful life.
+Now, all this may have happened simply by the operation of natural laws.
+But it may also have been the result of divine interference in answer to
+prayer; and hard will you find it to convince that rejoicing mother that
+the hand of God's extraordinary providence was not in it.
+
+The devoted missionary, at the promptings of a voice within, quits a land
+of safety and peace, and finds himself in the midst of dangers and
+sufferings of almost every name; _in perils of waters, in perils of
+robbers, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness,
+in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
+nakedness_. The furnace of persecution is heated, and he performs his
+duties with his life constantly in his hand. But he uses no weapon save
+faith and prayer. He feels that "he is immortal till his work is done."
+And, in fact, he outlives all his dangers, and, in venerable old age,
+surrounded by the fruits of his labor,--a reformed and affectionate
+people,--he passes quietly into the abodes of the blessed. Here, again,
+why should we hesitate to refer his protection and deliverance to the
+special interposition of his heavenly Father, in the manner I have pointed
+out?
+
+On the other hand, the history of dreadfully wicked men is full of
+terrible examples of calamity and suffering, as the consequence of their
+sins. True, the evil came upon them apparently by the operation of natural
+laws; but shall we hence infer that God in no case has so modified these
+laws, by an agency among the hidden causes of events, as to make the
+result certain? He certainly could do this; and to say that he never has
+done it, is to remove one of the most powerful restraints that operate
+upon the wicked.
+
+In several examples recorded in the Bible, both of deliverance for the
+virtuous and of punishment for the wicked, so many natural agencies are
+concerned, that we are left in doubt whether the events are to be regarded
+as miraculous or not. Let the deluge, the destruction of Sodom, and the
+passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, serve as examples. In the
+first, we find the flood imputed to a forty days' rain and the overflowing
+of the ocean; and its reduction to a wind. In the destruction of the
+cities of the plain, the phenomena described correspond very well with the
+effects of volcanic agency; and we find accordingly that the region where
+those cities stood shows marks of that agency. In the passage of the Red
+Sea, the removal of the waters, to allow the Israelites to pass, is
+imputed to a strong east wind all night. Nevertheless, the pillar of a
+cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were a manifest and standing
+miracle in this transaction.
+
+Now, may it not be that, in all these cases, so far as natural agencies
+were concerned, they were made to conspire with the miraculous in the
+manner which I have described, viz., by such a modification of some of the
+remote causes by which they were brought into action, as exactly to answer
+the divine purpose in the catastrophe of the deluge, of Sodom, and in the
+passage of the Red Sea?
+
+_A third mode by which the purposes of special providence can be brought
+about without miracles is by such an adjustment of the direct and lateral
+influences on which events depend, that the time and manner of their
+occurrence shall exactly meet every exigency._
+
+Although it expresses a truth to represent the second causes of events as
+constituting the links of a chain, it is not the whole truth. For, in
+fact, those causes are connected together in the form of a network, or,
+more exactly still, by a sphere filled with interlocked meshes; or, to
+speak more mathematically, the forces by which events are produced are
+both direct and indirect. It would be easy to calculate the effect of a
+single direct force; but if, in its progress, it meets with a multitude of
+oblique impulses, striking it at every possible angle, what human
+mathematics can make out the final resultant? Yet, in fact, such is the
+history of almost every event. The lateral influences, which meet and
+modify the direct force, are so numerous, and unexpected often, that men
+are amazed at the result, sometimes as unexpected as a miracle. "When an
+individual," says Isaac Taylor, "receives an answer to his prayer, the
+interposition may be made, not in the line which he himself is describing,
+but in one of those which are to meet him on his path; and at a point,
+therefore, where, even though the visible constancy of nature should be
+violated, yet, as being at the time beyond the sphere of his observation,
+it is a violation not visible to him." "And herein is especially
+manifested the perfection of divine wisdom, that the most surprising
+conjunctions of events are brought about by the simplest means, and in a
+manner that is perfectly in harmony with the ordinary course of human
+affairs. This is, in fact, the great miracle of providence, that no
+miracles are needed to accomplish its purposes."--_Nat. History of
+Enthusiasm_, p. 128.
+
+This complication of causes does not merely give variety to the works and
+operations of nature, but it enables God to produce effects which could
+never have resulted from each law acting singly; nor is there a scarcely
+conceivable limit to these modifications. Indeed, in this way can
+Providence accomplish all his beneficent purposes, and meet every
+individual case, just as infinite wisdom would have it met. "By this
+agency," says M'Cosh, "God can at one time increase, and at another time
+lessen, or completely nullify, the spontaneous efforts of the fixed
+properties of matter. Now he can make the most powerful agents in
+nature--such as wind, fire, and disease--coincide and cooperate to produce
+effects of such a tremendous magnitude as none of them separately could
+accomplish; and again, he can arrest their influence by counteracting
+agencies, or, rather, by making them counteract each other. He can, for
+instance, by a concurrence of natural laws, bring a person, who is in the
+enjoyment of health at present, to the very borders of death, an hour or
+an instant hence; and he can, by a like means, suddenly restore the same
+or another individual to health, after he has been on the very verge of
+the grave. By the confluence of two or more streams, he can bring agencies
+of tremendous potency to bear upon the production of a given effect, such
+as a war, a pestilence, or a revolution; and, on the other hand, by
+drawing aside the stream into another channel, he can arrest, at any given
+instant, the awful effects that would otherwise follow from these
+agencies, and save an individual, a family, or a nation, from the evils
+which seem ready to burst upon them.
+
+"Guided by these principles and guarded by sound sense, the inquiring mind
+will discover many and wonderful designed connections between the various
+events of divine providence. Read in the spirit of faith, striking
+coincidences will every where manifest themselves. What singular unions of
+two streams at the proper place to help on the exertions of the great and
+good! What curious intersections of cords to catch the wicked as in a
+net, when they are prowling as wild beasts! By strange but most apposite
+correspondences, human strength, when set against the will of God, is made
+to waste away under God's indignation burning against it, as, in heathen
+story, Meleager wasted away as the stick burned which his mother held in
+the fire."--_Method of the Divine Government_, pp. 176, 203.
+
+In many cases, the lateral streams of influence that flow in and bring
+unexpected relief to the pious man, and unexpected punishment to the
+wicked, or a marked answer to prayer, seem to the individuals little short
+of miraculous. Yet, after all, they can see no violation of the natural
+order of cause and effect. But the wonder is, how the modifying influence
+should come in just at the right moment. It may, indeed, have received a
+commission to do this very thing from the immediate impulse of Jehovah;
+yet, being unperceived by us, it is no miracle. Or the whole plan may have
+been so arranged at the beginning that its development will meet every
+case of special providence exactly. Which of these views may be most
+accordant with truth, may admit of discussion. Yet we think that all the
+modes that have been pointed out, by which miraculous and special
+providences are brought about, may be referred to one general proposition,
+which we now proceed to state.
+
+_In the fourth place, the plan of the universe in the divine mind, at the
+beginning, must have embraced every case of miracles and of special
+providence._
+
+From the nature of the divine attributes we infer with certainty that
+every event occurring in the universe must have entered into the original
+plan of creation in the mind of God. Surely no one will deny that he must
+have foreseen the operation of every law which he established, and,
+consequently, every event which it would produce. But there must be some
+ground for foreknowledge to rest upon; otherwise it is conjecture, not
+knowledge. And what could that basis be but the divine plan?
+
+Equally clear is it that, whatever plans existed in the mind of God, when
+he brought the universe into existence, must always have been there. For
+to suppose that there was a point of duration when the plan was first
+conceived, would imply new knowledge in one confessedly omniscient; and
+that destroys the idea of omniscience.
+
+Similar reasoning from the nature of the divine attributes leads us to the
+conclusion that God always acts according to law. That he does this in the
+ordinary operations of nature, all admit. But even when he introduces a
+miracle,--perhaps by a counteraction of ordinary laws,--he may still act
+by some rule; so that, were precisely the same circumstances to occur
+again, the same miracle would be repeated. Beforehand, we could not say
+whether God would conduct the affairs of the universe by one unvarying
+system of natural laws, or occasionally interfere with the regular
+sequence of cause and effect by miracle. But though the latter course
+should be adopted, as we have reason to think it is, even the special
+interference must be according to law; so that, in fact, there is a law of
+miracles as well as of common events. Again, if God sometimes alters one
+or more of the links out of sight, in a chain of second causes, in order
+to meet a providential exigency, or if he modifies for the same purpose
+some of the oblique influences by which events are affected, all this must
+be done by rule; that is, by law. Indeed, to suppose him ever to act
+without law, is to represent him as less wise than men, who, if
+judicious, are always governed by settled principles, which produce the
+same conduct in the same circumstances.
+
+From this reasoning we may safely infer two things: first, that the laws
+regulating miracles and special providences are as fixed and certain as
+those of ordinary events; and secondly, that those laws must have formed a
+part of the plan of creation originally existing in the divine mind. And
+hence, thirdly, we must admit that every case of miracle and special
+providence must have entered into that plan.
+
+When he formed it, he foresaw every possible event that would result from
+its operation to the end of the world. He saw distinctly the condition of
+every individual of the human family, from the beginning to the close of
+life; all his dangers and trials, his sufferings and his sins; and he knew
+just when and where every prayer would be offered up. Nor can it be any
+more doubtful that, with infinite wisdom to guide him, and infinite power
+to execute his will, God could so have arranged and constituted the laws
+of nature, as to meet exactly every case that should ever occur, just in
+the way he would wish to have it met. Those laws might have been so framed
+and disposed that, after running on in one unvarying course for ages, a
+new one might come in, or the old ones be modified, and at once produce
+effects quite different, and then the first laws resume again their usual
+course. And the new or modified law might be made to produce its
+extraordinary or peculiar effects just at the moment when some miracle or
+special providence would be needed. Thus what would be to us a special or
+miraculous interposition of divine power, might be the foreseen and
+foreordained result of God's original purpose. And if we can conceive how
+such an effect could be produced once, we cannot doubt that infinite
+wisdom and power could in like manner meet every possible case in which
+what we call special and miraculous providence would be needed. With our
+limited powers, we are obliged, after constructing a complicated machine,
+to put it into operation before we can judge certainly of its effects; and
+then, if our wishes are not met, we must alter the parts, or in some other
+way meet the new cases that occur; and hence we find it difficult to
+conceive how it can be otherwise with God. But he saw the operation of the
+vast machine of the universe just as clearly at the beginning as at any
+subsequent period. He, therefore, can do at the beginning what we can do
+only after experience, viz., adapt the parts to every variety of
+circumstances.
+
+If I mistake not, we are indebted to Bishop Butler for the germ of these
+views; but Professor Babbage has illustrated them by reference to an
+extraordinary machine of his own invention, called "The Calculating
+Engine." It is adapted to perform the most extensive and complicated
+numerical calculations, of course with absolute certainty, because its
+parts are arranged by certain laws. And he finds that precisely such
+effects, on a small scale, can be produced by this machine, as have been
+imputed above to the divine agency in creation. It is moved by a weight
+and a wheel which turns at a short interval around its axis, and prints a
+series of natural numbers,--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.,--each exceeding its
+antecedent by unity. "Now, reader, let me ask you," says Professor
+Babbage, "how long you will have counted before you are firmly convinced
+that the engine, supposing its adjustments to remain unaltered, will
+continue, whilst its motion is maintained, to produce the same series of
+natural numbers. Some minds, perhaps, are so constituted that, after
+passing the first hundred terms, they will be satisfied that they are
+acquainted with the law. After seeing five hundred terms, few will doubt;
+and after the fifty thousandth term, the propensity to believe the
+succeeding term will be fifty thousand and one, will be almost
+irresistible. That term will be fifty thousand and one; the same regular
+succession will continue; the five millionth and the fifty millionth term
+will appear in their expected order, and one unbroken chain of numbers
+will pass before you, from one up to one hundred millions. True to the
+vast induction which has thus been made, the next succeeding term will be
+one hundred millions and one; but after that, the next number presented by
+the rim of the wheel, instead of being one hundred millions and two, is
+one hundred millions ten thousand and two.
+
+"The law which seemed to govern this series fails at the one hundred
+million and second term. That term is larger than we expected by ten
+thousand. The next term is larger than was anticipated by thirty thousand.
+If we still continue to observe the numbers presented by the wheel, we
+shall find that for a hundred, or even for a thousand terms, they continue
+to follow the new law relating to the triangular numbers; but after
+watching them for twenty-seven hundred and sixty-one terms, we find that
+this law fails in the case of the twenty-seven hundred and sixty-second
+term. If we continue to observe, another law then comes into action. This
+will continue through fourteen hundred and thirty terms, when a new law is
+again introduced, which extends over about nine hundred and fifty terms;
+and this, too, like all its predecessors, fails, and gives place to other
+laws, which appear at different intervals. It is also possible so to
+arrange the engine, that at any periods, however remote, the first law
+shall be interrupted for one or more times, and be superseded by any
+other laws, after which the original law shall be again produced, and no
+other deviation shall ever take place.
+
+"Now, it must be remarked that the law that each number presented by the
+engine is greater by unity than the preceding number, which law the
+observer had deduced from an induction of a hundred million of instances,
+was not the true law that regulated its action; and that the occurrence of
+the number one hundred million ten thousand and two at the one hundred
+million and second term was as necessary a consequence of the original
+adjustment as was the regular succession of any one of the intermediate
+numbers to its immediate antecedent. The same remark applies to the next
+apparent deviation from the new law, which was founded on an induction of
+two thousand seven hundred and sixty-one terms; and to all the succeeding
+laws, with this limitation only, that whilst their consecutive
+introduction at various definite intervals is a necessary consequence of
+the mechanical structure of the engine, our knowledge of analysis does not
+yet enable us to predict the periods at which the more distant laws will
+be introduced."--_Ninth Bridgewater Treatise._
+
+The application of these statements to the doctrine of special as well as
+of miraculous providence is very obvious. If human ingenuity can construct
+a machine which shall exhibit the introduction of new laws, after the old
+ones had been established by an induction of a hundred million of
+examples, and these new ones be succeeded by others, how much easier for
+the infinite God to construct the vast and more complicated machine of the
+universe, so that new laws, or modifications of the old ones, shall be
+introduced at various periods of its history, to meet every exigency! How
+easy for him so to adjust this machine at the beginning, that the new laws
+and new modes of action should be introduced, precisely at those points
+where a special providence would be desirable, to reward the virtuous and
+to punish the wicked, and then the old law again assume its dominion! And
+how easily, in this way, could the case of every individual be met, from
+the beginning to the end of the world! I mean, how easy would this work be
+to infinite wisdom and power!
+
+But if all events, miraculous as well as common, may depend upon unbending
+law, how does such a view differ from the one I am now opposing, viz.,
+that the constancy of nature's laws precludes the idea of any special
+interference on the part of God, in human affairs? The main point of
+difference, I reply, is, that the advocates of the latter view will not
+admit any such thing at the present day as special interference, on the
+part of the Deity, with nature. They admit only uniform and ordinary laws,
+which they suppose are never interrupted. This I deny; and endeavor to
+show, not only that the contrary may be a fact, but that God purposed it
+originally, and determined the laws by which it might be accomplished. The
+fact that he did this beforehand, even from eternity, no more precludes
+his agency, than the special interference of a father to help his child
+through a dangerous pass is disproved, because he foresaw the danger and
+provided the means of defence even before the child was born. If the
+father was actually with the child, as he went through the danger, and
+held out to him the requisite help, what difference could it make, though
+the father purposed to do so a long time previously? And if we admit that
+God's efficiency alone gives power to the ordinary laws of nature, we
+shall admit that in every special law he is as really present with his
+energy, as a father who should lead his child by the hand through the
+dangerous path. So that, practically at least, the difference between
+these two views of the subject is very great; the one removing God far
+away, and putting law in his place; and the other bringing him near, and
+making him the actual and constant agent in every event. The one view is
+practical atheism, although often adopted by religious men; the other is
+practical Christianity.
+
+By the principles of physical science, then, the scriptural doctrines of
+miraculous and special providence are proved to be in accordance with
+philosophy. The miracles of revelation are shown to have been preceded by
+the miracles of geology; and are, therefore, in conformity with the
+principles of the divine government. The modifications which God can make
+in the causes of events out of human view, or the changes which he can
+produce by lateral influences upon the final result,--all, it may be, in
+conformity to an eternal plan, reaching the minutest of human
+affairs,--enable him to execute every purpose of special providence so as
+to satisfy every exigency.
+
+The sceptic may say, that we cannot prove by facts that God does so modify
+and arrange the laws and operations of nature as to adapt his dealings to
+the case of individuals. But, on the other hand, neither can he show that
+God does not thus interfere with nature's uniformity. It is enough to show
+that he can do it without a miracle, in order to establish the doctrine of
+special providence. How often he exercises this power, we cannot know; but
+we may be sure as often as is desirable.
+
+A most important application of these principles may be made to the
+subject of prayer. For in answering prayer, God is, in fact, merely
+executing some of the purposes of his special providence; and it is
+gratifying to the pious heart to see how he can give an answer to the
+humblest petitioner. No matter though all the laws of nature seem in the
+way of an answer,--God can so modify their action as to conform them to
+the case of every petitioner. War, famine, and pestilence may all be upon
+us, yet humble prayer may turn them all aside, and every other physical
+evil; and that without a miracle, if best for us and for the universe.
+Tell a man that the only effect of prayer is its reflex influence upon
+himself, in leading him to conform more strictly to nature's laws, and you
+send a paralysis and a death chill into all his moral sensibilities.
+Indeed, he cannot pray; but tell him that God will be influenced, as is
+any earthly friend, by his supplications, and his heart beats full and
+strong, the current of life goes bounding through his whole system, the
+glow of health mantles his cheek, and all his senses are roused into
+intense and delightful action.
+
+The sad influence of a perversion and misunderstanding of the doctrine of
+nature's constancy upon the youthful mind is well exhibited by a late able
+writer. "Early trained to it under the domestic roof," says M'Cosh, "the
+person regularly engaged in prayer during childhood and opening manhood.
+But as he became introduced to general society, and began to feel his
+independence of the guardians of his youth, he was tempted to look upon
+the father's commands, in this respect, as proceeding from sourness and
+sternness, and the mother's advice as originating in an amiable weakness
+and timidity. He is now careless in the performance of acts which in time
+past had been punctually attended to. How short, how hurried, how cold are
+the prayers which he now utters! Then there come to be mornings on which
+he is snatched away to some very important or enticing work without
+engaging in his customary devotions. There are evenings, too, following
+days of mad excitement or sinful pleasure, in which he feels utterly
+indisposed to go into the presence of God, and to be left alone with him.
+He feels that there is an utter incongruity between the ball-room, or the
+theatre, which he has just left, and the throne of grace, to which he
+should now go. What can he say to God, when he would pray to him? Confess
+his sins? No; he does not at present feel the act to be sinful. Thank God
+for giving him access to such follies? He has his doubts whether God
+approves of all that has been done. But he may ask God's blessing? No; he
+is scarcely disposed to acknowledge that he needs a blessing, or he doubts
+whether the blessing would be given. The practical conclusion to which he
+comes is, that it may be as consistent in him to betake himself to sleep
+without offering to God what he feels would only be a mockery. What is he
+to do the following morning? It is a critical time. Confess his error? No;
+cherishing as he does the recollection of the gay scene in which he
+mingled, and with the taste and relish of it yet upon his palate, he is
+not prepared to acknowledge his folly. Morning and evening now go and
+return, and bring new gifts from God, and new manifestations of his
+goodness; but no acknowledgment of the divine bounty on the part of him
+who is yet ever receiving it. No doubt there are times when he is prompted
+to prayer by powerful feelings, called up by outward trials or inward
+convictions; but ever when the storms of human life would drive him to the
+shore, there is a tide beating him back. His course continues to be a very
+vacillating one--now seeming to approach to God, and anon driven farther
+from him, till he obtains from books, or from lectures, a smattering of
+half-understood science. He now learns that all things are governed by
+laws, regular and fixed, over which the breath of prayer can exert as
+little influence, as they move on in their allotted course, as the passing
+breeze of the earth over the sun in his circuit. False philosophy has now
+come to the aid of guilty feelings, and hardens their cold waters into an
+icicle lying at his very heart, cooling all his ardor, and damping all his
+enthusiasm. He looks back, at times, no doubt, to the simple faith of his
+childhood with a sigh; but it is as to a pleasing dream, or illusion, from
+which he has been awakened, and into which, the spell being broken, he can
+never again fall."--_Method of the Divine Government_, p. 224.
+
+O, what a change would this world exhibit, were the whole Christian church
+to exercise full faith in God's ability to answer prayer without a
+miracle, only to the extent pointed out by philosophy, to say nothing of
+the Bible; for, in fact, a large proportion of that church, confounded by
+the specious argument derived from nature's constancy, have virtually
+yielded this most important principle to the demands of scepticism. When
+natural evils, such as war, famine, drought, and pestilence, came upon our
+forefathers, they, taking the Bible for their guide, observed days of
+fasting and prayer for their removal. But how seldom do their descendants
+follow their example! And yet even physical science testifies that the
+fathers acted in conformity to the true principles of philosophy. Would
+that the Christian church would consent to be led back to the Bible
+doctrine on this subject by philosophy.
+
+That same philosophy, also, should lead the good man, when struggling
+through difficulties, to exercise unshaken confidence in the divine
+protection, even though all nature's laws seem arrayed against him; for at
+the unseen touch of God's efficiency, the iron bars of law shall melt away
+like wax, and deliverance be given in the midst of appalling dangers, if
+best for the man and for the universe; and if not best, he will not desire
+it.
+
+Science, too, bids the wicked man not to fancy that the constancy of
+nature will shield him from the infliction of merited and special
+punishment, should God choose to make bare the rod of his justice; for the
+blow may come as certainly in the course of nature as against it.
+
+Let modern Christian theology, then, receive meekly the rebuke
+administered on this important point by physical science. For how lame and
+halting a defence of the Scripture doctrine of special providence and
+prayer has that theology been able to make! How few of our systems of
+theology contain a manful vindication of truths so important! Let not the
+Christian divine, therefore, refuse the aid thus offered by physical
+science. Let him no longer indulge groundless jealousies against true
+philosophy, as if adverse to religion. Especially let him not spurn the
+aid of geology, which alone, of all the sciences, discloses stupendous
+miracles of creation in early times, and thus removes all presumption
+against the miracles of Christianity and special providence at any time.
+
+It is, indeed, an instructive fact, that a science which has been thought
+so full of danger to Christianity should thus early be found vindicating
+some of the most peculiar and long-contested doctrines of revelation. And
+yet it ought not to surprise us, for geology is as really the work of God
+as revelation. And though, when ill understood and perverted, she may have
+seemed recreant to her celestial origin, yet the more fully her
+proportions are developed, and her features brought into daylight, the
+more clearly do we recognize her alliance to every thing pure and noble in
+the universe. "And surely," says a late writer, "it must be gratifying
+thus to see a science, formerly classed, and not perhaps unjustly, amongst
+the most pernicious to faith, once more become her handmaid; to see her
+now, after so many years of wandering from theory to theory, or rather
+from vision to vision, return once more to the home where she was born,
+and to the altar at which she made her first simple offerings; no longer,
+as she first went forth, a wilful, dreamy, empty-handed child, but with a
+matronly dignity, and a priest-like step, and a bosom full of well-earned
+gifts, to pile upon its sacred hearth. For it was religion which gave
+geology birth, and to the sanctuary she hath once more
+returned."--_Wiseman's Lectures on Science and Revealed Religion_, p. 192,
+Am. ed.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XI.
+
+THE FUTURE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE EARTH.
+
+
+Man has a stronger desire to penetrate the future than the past. And yet
+the details of most future events are wisely concealed from him. There are
+two, and only two, sources of evidence from which he can obtain some
+glimpses of what will be hereafter. The one is revelation, the other
+analogy. So far as God has thought proper to reveal the future, our
+information is precise and certain. But it does not embrace a multitude of
+events about which we have strong curiosity. By analogy is meant a
+prediction of the future from the past. On the principle that nature is
+constant, we infer what will be from what has been. If, however, new laws
+are hereafter to come into operation, or if present agencies will then
+operate very differently from what they now do, it is obvious that analogy
+can be only an imperfect guide. Still, in respect to many important
+events, its conclusions are infallible. Judging, for instance, from the
+past, we are absolutely certain that no living thing will escape the great
+law of dissolution, which, thus far, apart from the few exceptions made
+known to us by revelation, has been universal.
+
+The future changes in the condition of the earth, as they are taught us by
+revelation and analogy, or, rather, by geology, will form the subject of
+my present lecture. And my first object will be, to ascertain, if
+possible, precisely what the Bible teaches us concerning these changes.
+
+We find in the Scriptures several descriptions, more or less definite, of
+the changes which this globe will hereafter undergo. Some of them,
+however, are couched in the figurative language of prophecy, and others
+are incidental allusions; and concerning the precise meaning of such
+descriptions, there will, of course, be a diversity of opinion.
+
+There are, however, some passages on this subject as literal and as
+precise in their meaning as language can be. Now, it is one of the rules
+for interpreting language, that, where a work contains several accounts of
+the same event, the description which is most simple and literal ought to
+be made the index for obtaining the meaning of those passages which are
+figurative, or, on any account, obscure. I shall, therefore, select the
+passage of Scripture which all acknowledge to be most plain and definite,
+respecting the future destruction of the earth, and the new heavens and
+earth that are to succeed, and first inquire into its precise meaning;
+after which, we shall be better prepared to ascertain what modification of
+that meaning other passages of sacred writ demand.
+
+It needs but a cursory examination of the Bible to convince any one that
+the description in the Second Epistle of Peter of the future destruction
+and renovation of the earth and heavens, is eminently the passage first to
+be examined, because the fullest and clearest on this subject. It is the
+apostle's object directly and literally to describe these great changes,
+apart from all embellishments of language.
+
+_There shall come_, says he, _in the last days, scoffers, walking after
+their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
+the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
+beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that
+by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
+the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being
+overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are
+now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the
+day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not
+ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
+years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning
+his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to
+us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
+repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
+the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and the works that are
+therein, shall be burned up. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be
+dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation
+and godliness? Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
+wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements
+shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness._
+
+It would require too much time, and, moreover, is not necessary to the
+object I have in view, to enter into minute verbal criticism upon this
+passage. I will only remark that the phrase translated _the earth and the
+works that are therein_, might with equal propriety be rendered "the earth
+and the works that are _thereon_;" and yet the difference of meaning
+between the two modes of expression is of no great importance. Again, by
+the term _heavens_, in this passage, we are evidently to understand the
+atmosphere, or region immediately surrounding the earth; as in the first
+chapter of Genesis, where it is said that _God called the firmament
+heavens_; the plural form being used in the Hebrew, though not in the
+English translation.
+
+What, now, by a fair exegesis, is taught in this passage concerning the
+destruction and renovation of the world? The following train of remark may
+conduct us to the true answer to this inquiry:--
+
+In the first place, this passage is to be understood literally. It would
+seem as if it could hardly be necessary to present any formal proof of
+this position to any person of common sense, who had read the passage. But
+the fact is, that men of no mean reputation as commentators have
+maintained that the whole of it is only a vivid figurative prophecy of the
+destruction of Jerusalem. Others suppose the new heavens and new earth
+here described to exist before the conflagration of the world. But these
+new heavens and earth are represented as the residence of the righteous,
+after the burning and melting of the earth, which, according to other
+parts of Scripture, is to take place at the end of the world, or at the
+general judgment. How strange that, in order to sustain a favorite theory,
+able men should thus invert the obvious order of these great events, so
+clearly described in the Bible! Still more absurd is it to attempt to
+fasten a figurative character upon this most simple statement of
+inspiration. It is, indeed, true, that the prophets have sometimes set
+forth great political and moral changes, the downfall of empires, or of
+distinguished men, by the destruction of the heavens and the earth, and
+the growing pale and darkening of the sun and moon. But in all these cases
+the figurative character of the description is most obvious; while in the
+passage from Peter its literal character is equally obvious. Take, for
+example, this statement--_By the word of God the heavens were of old, and
+the earth, standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world
+that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and
+the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
+unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men._
+
+I believe no one has ever doubted that the destruction of the world by
+water, here described, refers to Noah's deluge. Now, how absurd to admit
+that this is a literal description of that event, and then to maintain the
+remainder of the sentence, which declares the future destruction of that
+same world by fire, to be figurative in the highest degree! For if this
+destruction mean only the destruction of Jerusalem, or any other great
+political or moral revolution, the language is one of the boldest figures
+which can be framed. Who, that knows any thing of the laws of language,
+does not see the supreme absurdity of thus coupling in the same sentence
+the most simple and certain literality with the strongest of all figures?
+What mark is given us, by which we may know where the boundary is between
+the literal and the metaphorical sense? From what part of the Bible, or
+from what uninspired author, can a parallel example be adduced? What but
+the strongest necessity, the most decided _exigentia loci_, would justify
+such an anomalous interpretation of any author? Nay, I do not believe any
+necessity could justify it. It would be more reasonable to infer that the
+passage had no meaning, or an absurd one. But surely no such necessity
+exists in the present case. Understood literally, the passage teaches only
+what is often expressed, though less fully, in many other parts of
+Scripture; and even though some of these other passages should be involved
+in a degree of obscurity,--and I am not disposed to deny that some
+obscurity rests upon one or two of them,--it would be no good reason for
+transforming so plain a description into a highly-wrought figurative
+representation; especially when by no ingenuity can we thus alter more
+than one part of the sentence. I conclude, therefore, that, if any part of
+the Bible is literal, we are thus to consider this chapter of Peter.
+
+In the second place, this passage does not teach that the earth will be
+annihilated.
+
+The prevailing opinion in this country, probably, has been, and still is,
+that the destruction of the world described by Peter will amount to
+annihilation--that the matter of the globe will cease to be. But in all
+ages there have been many who believe that the destruction will be only
+the ruin of the present economy of the world, but not its utter
+extinction. And surely Peter's description does not imply annihilation of
+the matter of the globe. He makes fire the agent of the destruction, and,
+in order to ascertain the extent of the ruin that will follow, we have
+only to inquire what effect combustion will have upon matter. The common
+opinion is, that intense combustion actually destroys or annihilates
+matter, because it is thereby dissipated. But the chemist knows that not
+one particle of matter has ever been thus deprived of existence; that fire
+only changes the form of matter, but never annihilates it. When solid
+matter is changed into gas, as in most cases of combustion, it seems to be
+annihilated, because it disappears; but it has only assumed a new form,
+and exists as really as before. Since, therefore, biblical and scientific
+truth must agree, we may be sure that the apostle never meant to teach
+that the matter of the globe would cease to be, through the action of fire
+upon it; nor is there any thing in his language that implies such a
+result, but most obviously the reverse.
+
+If these things be so, then, in the third place, we may infer that Peter
+did not mean to teach that the matter of the globe would be in the least
+diminished by the final conflagration. I doubt not the sufficiency of
+divine power partially or wholly to annihilate the material universe. But
+heat, however intense, has no tendency to do this; it only gives matter a
+new form. And heat is the only agency which the apostle represents as
+employed. In short, we have no evidence, either from science or
+revelation, that the minutest atom of matter has ever been destroyed since
+the original creation; nor have we any more evidence that any of it ever
+will be reduced to the nothingness from which it sprang. The prevalent
+ideas upon this subject all result from erroneous notions of the effect of
+intense heat.
+
+In the fourth place, the passage under consideration teaches us that
+whatever upon or within the earth is capable of combustion will undergo
+that change, and that the entire globe will be melted.
+
+The language of Peter has always seemed to me extremely interesting. He
+says that _the heavens_ [or atmosphere] _will pass away with a great
+noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth, also, and
+the works that are therein, shall be burned up; looking for, and hasting
+unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire,
+shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat_.
+
+This language approaches nearer to an anticipation of the scientific
+discoveries of modern times than any other part of Scripture. And yet, at
+the time it was written, it would not have enabled any one to understand
+the chemistry of the great changes which it describes. But, now that their
+chemistry is understood, we perceive that the language is adapted to it,
+in a manner which no uninspired writer would have done. The atmosphere is
+represented as passing away with a great noise--an effect which the
+chemist would predict by the union of its oxygen with the hydrogen and
+other gases liberated by the intense heat. Yet what uninspired writer of
+the first century would have imagined such a result?
+
+Again, when we consider the notions which then prevailed, and which are
+still widely diffused, why should the apostle add to the simple statement
+that the earth would be burnt up, the declaration that its elements would
+be melted? For the impression was, that the combustion would entirely
+destroy the matter of the globe. But the chemist finds that the greater
+part of the earth has already been oxidized, or burnt, and on this matter
+the only effect of the heat, unless intense enough to dissipate it, would
+be to melt it. If, therefore, the apostle had said only that the world
+would be burnt up, the sceptical chemist would have inferred that he had
+made a mistake through ignorance of chemistry. But he cannot now draw such
+an inference; for the apostle's language clearly implies that only the
+combustible matter of the globe will be burnt, while the elements, or
+first principles of things, will be melted; so that the final result will
+be an entire liquid, fiery globe. Such a wonderful adaptation of his
+description to modern science could not surely have resulted from human
+sagacity, but must be the fruit of divine inspiration.
+
+And this adaptation is the more wonderful when we find it running through
+the whole Bible wherever the sacred writers come in contact with
+scientific subjects. In this respect, the Bible differs from every other
+system of religion professedly from heaven.
+
+Whenever other systems have treated of the works of nature, they have
+sanctioned some error, and thus put into the hands of modern science the
+means of detecting the imposture. The Vedas of India adopt the absurd
+notions of an ignorant and polytheistic age respecting astronomy, and the
+Koran adopts as infallible truth the absurdities of the Ptolemaic system.
+But hitherto the Bible has never been proved to come into collision with
+any scientific discovery, although many of its books were written in the
+rudest and most ignorant ages. It does not, indeed, anticipate scientific
+discovery. But the remarkable adaptation of its language to such
+discoveries, when they are made, seems to me a more striking mark of its
+divine origin than if it had contained a revelation of the whole system of
+modern science.
+
+In the fifth place, the passage under consideration teaches that this
+earth will be renovated by the final conflagration, and become the abode
+of the righteous. After describing the day of God, _wherein the heavens,
+being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
+fervent heat_, Peter adds, _Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness._
+Now, the apostle does not here, in so many words, declare that the new
+heavens and earth will be the present world and its atmosphere, purified
+and renovated by fire. But it is certainly a natural inference that such
+was his meaning. For if he intended some other remote and quite different
+place, why should he call it _earth_, and, especially, why should he
+surround it with an atmosphere? The natural and most obvious meaning of
+the passage surely is, that the future residence of the righteous will be
+this present terraqueous globe, after its entire organic and combustible
+matter shall have been destroyed, and its whole mass reduced by heat to a
+liquid state, and then a new economy reared up on its surface, not adapted
+to sinful, but to sinless beings, and, therefore, quite different from
+its present condition--probably more perfect, but still the same earth and
+surrounding heavens.
+
+There are, indeed, some difficulties in the way of such a meaning to this
+passage, and objections to a material heaven; and these I shall notice in
+the proper place. But I have given what seems to me the natural and
+obvious meaning of the passage.
+
+Such, as I conceive, are the fair inferences from the apostle's
+description of the end of the world. Let us now inquire whether any other
+passages of Scripture require us to modify this meaning.
+
+The idea of a future destruction of the world by fire is recognized in
+various places, both in the Old and New Testaments. Christ speaks more
+than once of heaven and earth as passing away. Paul speaks of Christ as
+descending, at the end of the world, in flaming fire. And the Psalmist
+describes the destruction of the heavens and the earth as a renovation.
+_They shall perish,_ says he, _but thou_ [God] _shalt endure; yea, all of
+them shall wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change
+them, and they shall be changed._ In Revelation, after the apostle had
+given a vivid description of the final judgment and its retributions, he
+says, _And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and
+the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea._ He then
+proceeds to give a minute and glowing description of what he calls the New
+Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of heaven. It is scarcely possible to
+understand the whole of this description as literally true. We must rather
+regard it as a figurative representation of the heavenly state. And hence
+the first verse, which speaks of the new heavens and the new earth, in
+almost the same language which Peter uses, may be also figurative,
+indicating merely a more exalted condition than the present world. Hence,
+I would not use this passage to sustain the interpretation given of the
+literal description by Peter. And yet it is by no means improbable that
+the figurative language of John may have for its basis the same truths
+which are taught by Peter. Nor ought we to infer, because a figure is
+built upon that basis in the apocalyptic vision, that the simple
+statements of Peter are metaphorical.
+
+In the passage quoted from Peter, it is said, _Nevertheless, we, according
+to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness._ Most writers have supposed the apostle to refer either to
+the promise made to Abraham, that his seed should inherit the land, or to
+a prophecy in Isaiah, which says, _Behold, I create new heavens, and a new
+earth, and the former shall not be remembered, or come into mind. But be
+you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create
+Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in
+Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more
+heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an
+infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the
+child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner, being a hundred years
+old, shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and
+they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not
+build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as
+the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long
+enjoy the works of their hands. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
+and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the
+serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,
+saith the Lord._
+
+Now, it seems highly probable that the new heavens and earth, here
+described, represent a state of things on the present earth before the day
+of judgment, and not a heavenly and immortal state; for sin and death are
+spoken of as existing in it; both which, we are assured, will be excluded
+from heaven. Hence able biblical writers refer this prophecy to the
+millennial state, or the period when there will be a general prevalence of
+Christianity. In this they are probably correct. But some of these
+writers, as Low and Whitby, proceed a step farther, and infer that Peter's
+description of the new heavens and new earth belong also to the millennial
+period; first, because they presume that the apostle referred to this
+promise in Isaiah; and secondly, because he uses the same terms, namely,
+"new heavens and new earth." But are these grounds sufficient to justify
+so important a conclusion? How common it is to find the same words and
+phrases in the Bible applied by different writers to different subjects,
+especially by the prophets! Even if we can suppose Peter to place the new
+heavens and the new earth before the judgment, in despite of his plain
+declaration to the contrary, yet there are few who will doubt that the new
+heavens and earth described in revelation are subsequent to the judgment
+day, so vividly described in the verses immediately preceding.
+
+And as to the promise referred to by Peter, if he really describes the
+heavenly state, surely it may be found in a multitude of places; wherever,
+indeed, immortal life and blessedness are offered to faith and obedience.
+Isaiah, therefore, may be giving a figurative description of a glorious
+state of the church in this world, under the terms "new heavens and new
+earth," emblematical of those real new heavens and new earth beyond the
+grave, described by Peter. And hence, it seems to me, the language of the
+prophet should not be allowed to set aside, or modify, the plain meaning
+of the apostle.
+
+I shall quote only one other passage of the Bible on this subject. I refer
+to that difficult text in Romans, which represents the whole creation as
+groaning and travailing together in pain until now; and that it will be
+delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
+children of God.
+
+I have stated in a former lecture, that Tholuck, the distinguished German
+theologian, considers this a description of the present bound and fettered
+condition of all nature, and that the deliverance refers to the future
+renovation of the earth. Such an exposition chimes in perfectly with the
+views on this subject which have long and extensively prevailed in
+Germany. And it certainly does give a consistent meaning to a passage
+which has been to commentators a perfect labyrinth of difficulties. If
+this be not its meaning, then I may safely say that its meaning has not
+yet been found out.
+
+In view, then, of all the important passages of Scripture concerning the
+future destruction and renovation of the earth, I think we may fairly
+conclude that none of them require us to modify the natural and obvious
+meaning of Peter which has been given. In general, they all coincide with
+the views presented by that apostle; or if, in any case, there is a slight
+apparent difference, the figurative character of all other statements
+besides his require us to receive his views as the true standard, and to
+modify the meaning of the others. We may, therefore, conclude that the
+Bible does plainly and distinctly teach us that this earth will hereafter
+be burned up; in other words, that all upon or within it, capable of
+combustion, will be consumed, and the entire mass, the elements, without
+the loss of one particle of the matter now existing, will be melted; and
+then, that the world, thus purified from the contamination of sin, and
+surrounded by a new atmosphere, or heavens, and adapted in all respects
+to the nature and wants of spiritual and sinless beings, will become the
+residence of the righteous. Of the precise nature of that new
+dispensation, and of the mode of existence there, the Scriptures are
+indeed silent. But that, like the present world, it will be
+material,--that there will be a solid globe, and a transparent expanse
+around it,--seems most clearly indicated in the sacred record.
+
+The wide-spread opinion that heaven will be a sort of airy Elysium, where
+the present laws of nature will be unknown, and where matter, if it exist,
+can exist only in its most attenuated form, is a notion to which the Bible
+is a stranger.
+
+The resurrection of the body, as well as the language of Peter, most
+clearly show us that the future world will be a solid, material world,
+purified indeed, and beautified, but retaining its materialism.
+
+Let us now see whether, in coming to these conclusions from Scripture
+language, we are influenced by scientific considerations, or whether many
+discerning minds have not, in all ages, attached a similar meaning to the
+inspired record.
+
+Among all nations, the history of whose opinions have come down to us, and
+especially among the Greeks, the belief has prevailed that a catastrophe
+by fire awaited the earth, corresponding to, or rather the counterpart of,
+a previous destruction by water. These catastrophes they denominated the
+_cataclysm_, or destruction by water, and the _ecpyrosis_, or destruction
+by fire. The ruin was supposed to be followed, in each case, by the
+regeneration of the earth in an improved form, which gradually
+deteriorated; the first age after the catastrophe, constituting the golden
+age; the next, the silver age; and so on to the iron age, which preceded
+another cataclysm, or ecpyrosis. The intervals between these convulsions
+were regarded as of various lengths, but all of them of great duration.
+
+These opinions the Greeks derived from the Egyptians.
+
+The belief in the future conflagration of the world also prevailed among
+the ancient Jews. Philo says that "the earth, after this purification,
+shall appear new again, even as it was after its first creation."--_De
+Vita Mosis_, tom. ii.--Among the Jews, these ideas may have been, in part,
+derived from the Old Testament; though its language, as we have seen, is
+far less explicit on this subject than the New Testament. That
+distinguished Christian writers, in all ages since the advent of Christ,
+have understood the language of Peter as we have explained it, would be
+easy to show. I have room, however, to quote only the opinions of a few
+distinguished modern writers.
+
+Dr. Knapp, one of the most scientific and judicious of theologians, thus
+remarks upon the passage of Peter already examined: "It cannot be thought
+that what is here said respecting the burning of the world is to be
+understood figuratively, as Wettstein supposes; because the fire is here
+too directly opposed to the literal water of the flood to be so
+understood. It is the object of Peter to refute the boast of scoffers,
+that all things had remained unchanged from the beginning, and that,
+therefore, no day of judgment and no end of the world could be expected.
+And so he says that originally, at the time of the creation, the whole
+earth was covered and overflowed with water, (Gen. i.,) and that from
+hence the dry land appeared; and the same was true at the time of Noah's
+flood. But there is yet to come a great fire revolution. The heavens and
+the earth (the earth with its atmosphere) are reserved, or kept in store,
+for the fire, until the day of judgment, (v. 10.) At that time the heavens
+will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved by
+fervent heat, and every thing upon the earth will be burnt up. The same
+thing is taught in verse 12. But in verse 13 Peter gives the design of
+this revolution. It will not be annihilation, but we expect a new heavens
+and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, _i. e._, an entirely new,
+altered, and beautiful abode for man, to be built from the ruins of his
+former dwelling-place, as the future habitation of the pious, (Rev. xxi.
+1.) This will be very much in the same way as a more perfect and an
+immortal body will be reared from the body which we now
+possess."--_Theology_, vol. ii. p. 649.
+
+From Dr. Chalmers my extracts will be longer than are necessary to show
+his opinion upon this subject, because he felicitously refutes certain
+erroneous ideas, widely prevalent, respecting matter, and spirit. "We know
+historically," says he, "that earth, that a solid, material earth, may
+form the dwelling of sinless creatures, in full converse and friendship
+with the Being who made them." "Man, at the first, had for his place this
+world, and, at the same time, for his privilege an unclouded fellowship
+with God, and for his prospect an immortality, which death was neither to
+intercept nor put an end to. He was terrestrial in respect to condition,
+and yet celestial, both in respect of character and enjoyments.
+
+"The common imagination that we have of paradise on the other side of
+death, is that of a lofty aerial region, where the inmates float in ether,
+or are mysteriously suspended upon nothing; where all the warm and
+sensible accompaniments, which give such an expression of strength, and
+life, and coloring to our present habitation, are attenuated into a sort
+of spiritual element, that is meagre and imperceptible, and utterly
+uninviting to the eye of mortals here below; where every vestige of
+materialism is done away, and nothing left but certain unearthly scenes,
+that have no power of allurement, and certain unearthly ecstasies with
+which it is felt impossible to sympathize. The holders of this imagination
+forget all the while that there is no necessary connection between
+materialism and sin; that the world which we now inhabit had all the
+solidity and amplitude of its present materialism before sin entered into
+it; that God, so far, on that account, from looking slightly upon it,
+after it had received the last touch of his creating hand, reviewed the
+earth, and the waters, and the firmament, and all the green herbage, with
+the living creatures, and the man whom he had raised in dominion over
+them, and _he saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was all
+very good_. They forget that, on the birth of materialism, when it stood
+out in the freshness of those glories which the great Architect of nature
+had impressed upon it, that _the morning stars sang together, and all the
+sons of God shouted for joy_. They forget the appeals that are every where
+made in the Bible to his material workmanship, and how, from the face of
+these visible heavens, and the garniture of this earth which we tread
+upon, the greatness and goodness of God are reflected on the view of his
+worshippers. No, my brethren, the object of the administration we sit
+under is to extirpate sin, but it is not to sweep away materialism. By the
+convulsions of the last day it may be shaken and broken down from its
+present arrangement, and thrown into such fitful agitations as that the
+whole of its existing framework shall fall to pieces; and with a heat so
+fervent as to melt the most solid elements, may it be utterly dissolved.
+And thus may the earth again become without form and void, but without one
+particle of its substance going into annihilation. Out of the ruins of
+this second chaos may another heaven and another earth be made to arise,
+and a new materialism, with other aspects of magnificence and beauty,
+emerge from the wreck of this mighty transformation, and the world be
+peopled, as before, with the varieties of material loveliness, and space
+be again lighted up into a firmament of material splendor.
+
+"It is, indeed, a homage to that materialism, which many are for expunging
+from the future state of the universe altogether, that, ere the immaterial
+soul of man has reached the ultimate glory and blessedness designed for
+it, it must return and knock at the very grave where lie the mouldered
+remains of the body which it wore, and there inquisition must be made for
+the flesh, and the sinews, and the bones which the power of corruption
+has, perhaps centuries before, assimilated to the earth around them, and
+then the minute atoms must be reassembled into a structure that bears upon
+it the form, and lineaments, and general aspect of a man, and the soul
+passes into this material framework, which is hereafter to be its
+lodging-place forever; and that not as its prison, but as its pleasant and
+befitting habitation; not to be trammelled, as some would have it, in a
+hold of materialism, but to be therein equipped for the services of
+eternity; to walk embodied among the bowers of our second paradise; to
+stand embodied in the presence of our God."
+
+"The glorification of the visible creation," says Tholuck, the
+distinguished German divine, "is more definitely declared in Rev. xxi. 1,
+although it must be borne in mind that a prophetic vision is there
+described. Still more definitely do we find the belief of a transformation
+of the material world declared in 2 Peter, iii. 7-12. The idea that the
+perfected kingdom of Christ is to be transferred to heaven, is properly a
+modern notion. According to Paul and the Revelation of John, the kingdom
+of God is placed upon the earth, in so far as this itself has part in the
+universal transformation. This exposition has been adopted and defended
+by most of the oldest commentators; _e. g._, Chrysostom, Theodoret,
+Hieronymus, Augustine, Luther, Koppe, and others. Luther says, in his
+lively way, 'God will make, not the earth only, but the heavens also, much
+more beautiful than they are at present. At present, we see the world in
+its working clothes; but hereafter it will be arrayed in its Easter and
+Whitsuntide robes.'"
+
+"I cannot but feel astonishment," says Dr. John Pye Smith, "that any
+serious and intelligent man should have his mind fettered with the common,
+I might call it the vulgar, notion of a proper destruction of the earth;
+and some seem to extend the notion to the whole solar system, and even the
+entire material universe; applying the idea of an extinction of being, a
+reducing to nothingness. This notion has, indeed, been often used to aid
+impassioned description in sermons and poetry; and thus it has gained so
+strong a hold upon the feelings of many pious persons, that they have made
+it an article of their faith. But I confess myself unable to find any
+evidence for it in nature, reason, or Scripture. We can discover nothing
+like destruction in the matter of the universe as subjected to our senses.
+Masses are disintegrated, forms are changed, compounds are decomposed; but
+not an atom is annihilated. Neither have we the shadow of reason to assert
+that mind, the seat of intelligence, ever was, or ever will be, in a
+single instance, destroyed. The declaration in Scripture that _the heavens
+and the earth shall flee away, and no more place be found for them_, is
+undoubtedly figurative, and denotes the most momentous changes in the
+scenes of the divine moral government. If it be the purpose of God that
+the earth shall be subjected to a total conflagration, we perfectly well
+know that the instruments of such an event lie close at hand, and wait
+only the divine volition to burst out in a moment. But that would not be a
+destruction; it would be a mere change of form, and, no doubt, would be
+subservient to the most glorious results. _We, according to his promise,
+look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
+righteousness._"--_Lectures on Geology and Revelation_, p. 161, (4th
+London edition.)
+
+Says Dr. Griffin, one of the ablest of the American divines, "A question
+here arises, whether the new heavens and new earth will be created out of
+the ruins of the old; that is, whether the old will be renovated and
+restored in a more glorious form, or whether the old will be annihilated,
+and the new made out of nothing. The idea of the annihilation of so many
+immense and glorious bodies, organized with inimitable skill, and
+declarative of infinite wisdom, is gloomy and forbidding. Indeed, it is
+scarcely credible that God should annihilate any of his works, much less
+so many and so glorious works. It ought not to be believed without the
+most decisive proof. On the other hand, it is a most animating thought
+that this visible creation, which sin has marred, which the polluted
+breath of men and devils has defiled, and which by sin will be reduced to
+utter ruin, will be restored by our Jesus, will arise from its ruins in
+tenfold splendor, and shine with more illustrious glory than before it was
+defaced by sin.
+
+"After a laborious and anxious search on this interesting subject, I must
+pronounce the latter to be my decided opinion. And the same, I find, has
+been the more common opinion of the Christian fathers, of the divines of
+the reformation, and of the critics and annotators who have since
+flourished. I could produce on this side a catalogue of names which would
+convince you that this has certainly been the common opinion of the
+Christian church in every age, as it was also of the Jewish.
+
+"The words which are employed to express the destruction of the world do
+not necessarily imply annihilation. Is it said that the world shall
+perish? The same word is used to express the ancient destruction of the
+world by the flood, when certainly it was not annihilated. Is it said that
+the world shall have an end, and be no more? This may be understood only
+of the present form and organization of the visible system? Is it said
+that the heavens and the earth shall be dissolved by fire? But the natural
+power of fire is not to annihilate, but only to dissolve the composition
+and change the form of substances."--_Sermons_, vol. ii. p. 450.
+
+We have now examined the most important testimony respecting the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth; for inspiration only can
+certainly determine its future condition. But science may throw some light
+upon the changes through which it is to pass. And I now proceed to inquire
+whether geology affords us any glimpses of its future condition.
+
+In the first place, geology shows us that the earth contains within itself
+all the agencies necessary for its future destruction in the manner
+pointed out in the Bible.
+
+Some author has remarked that, from the earliest times, there has been a
+loud cry of fire. We have seen that it began with the ancient Egyptians,
+and was continued by the Greeks. But in recent times it has waxed louder
+and far more distinct. The ancient notions about the existence of fire
+within the earth were almost entirely conjectural, but within the present
+century the matter has been put to the test of experiment. Wherever, in
+Europe and America, the temperature of the air, the waters, and the rocks
+in deep excavations has been ascertained, it has been found higher than
+the mean temperature of the climate at the surface; and the experiment has
+been made in hundreds of places. It is found, too, that the heat increases
+rapidly as we descend below that point in the earth's crust to which the
+sun's heat extends. The mean rate of increase has been stated by the
+British Association to be one degree of Fahrenheit for every forty-five
+feet. At this rate, all known rocks would be melted at the depth of about
+sixty miles. Shall we hence conclude that all the matter of the globe
+below this thickness (or, rather, for the sake of round numbers, below one
+hundred miles) is actually in a melted state? Most geologists have not
+seen how such a conclusion is to be avoided. And yet this would leave only
+about one eight hundredth part of the earth's diameter, and about one
+fourteenth of its contents, or bulk, in a solid state. How easy, then,
+should God give permission, for this vast internal fiery ocean to break
+through its envelope, and so to bury the solid crust that it should all be
+burnt up and melted! It is conceivable that such a result might take place
+even by natural operations. And certainly it would be easy for a special
+divine agency to accomplish it.
+
+It may be thought, however, that the igneous fluidity of the internal part
+of the globe is too mighty and improbable a conclusion to be based upon
+the increase of temperature, observed only to the depth of two or three
+thousand feet. But this is not the only evidence of such a condition of
+the earth's interior. Three hundred active volcanoes, and still more
+numerous extinct ones, have opened their mouths and poured forth their
+molten contents from a great depth, to bear witness to the existence of
+vast masses of melted rock beneath the earth's crust. The globe, too, is
+flattened at the poles, just to the amount it would be by rotation on its
+axis, had it been a liquid mass; and, therefore, there is every
+probability that it was once liquid; and if so once, its interior is
+probably still so, because the period for cooling it, when once surrounded
+by a solid crust, must be incalculably long. That this solid crust has
+once been liquid from heat, is most obvious to all who carefully examine
+it. For the unstratified rocks have certainly once been melted, and most
+of the stratified series were derived from the unstratified. Again, the
+organic remains dug out from the deep-seated strata prove that, when they
+were alive, the surface, even in high latitudes, must have been subject to
+a tropical, or even an ultra-tropical heat; thus showing us that the
+temperature of the globe has gradually diminished, as we should expect
+from the theory of original igneous fluidity. And, finally, no other
+hypothesis but the gradual cooling of the earth's crust, and the powerful
+volcanic agency that must from time to time have torn and ridged up that
+crust, will account for the present fractured and overturned condition of
+the strata, and the elevation of our continent from the ocean's bed. But
+this supposition does most satisfactorily explain all these phenomena, and
+also those of earthquakes and volcanoes.
+
+I must acknowledge, however, that all these arguments fail of convincing a
+few geologists of the doctrine of internal igneous fluidity, to the extent
+above described. But they all admit that the facts do prove the existence
+of vast oceans of melted matter beneath the earth's crust. Nor do even
+these geologists doubt but the globe contains within itself the agencies
+requisite for a universal conflagration. Mr. Lyell says that "there must
+exist below enormous masses of matter, intensely heated, and in many
+instances in a constant state of fusion." He says, also, "When we consider
+the combustible nature of the elements of the earth, so far as they are
+known to us, the facility with which their compounds may be decomposed and
+made to enter into new combinations, the quantity of heat which they
+evolve during those processes; when we recollect the expansive power of
+steam, and that water itself is composed of two gases, which, by their
+union, produce intense heat; when we call to mind the number of explosive
+and detonating compounds which have been already discovered,--we may be
+allowed to share the astonishment of Pliny, that a single day should pass
+without a general conflagration. '_Excedit profecto omnia miracula, ullum
+diem fuisse quo non cuncta conflagrarent._'"--Lyell's _Principles of
+Geology_, b. ii. chap. xx. vol. ii.
+
+"As a consequence of the refrigeration of the centre and crust of the
+globe," says D'Orbigny, "the withdrawment of matter has produced
+elevations and depressions on the consolidated crust; to which movements,
+in connection with those of the waters, we must impute the complete
+destruction of the existing fauna. These dislocations have brought about
+at each epoch changes of level in the consolidated beds and in the seas.
+And after a period of agitation, more or less prolonged, after each of
+these geological revolutions, different beings have been created to cover
+anew and enliven the surface of the earth."--_Cours Elementaire
+Paleontologie_, p. 148.
+
+All geologists, then, agree that the elements of the earth's final
+conflagration are contained within its bosom or upon its surface. At
+present, these elements are so bound down by counteracting agencies, that
+all is quiet and security. But let the fiat of the Almighty go forth for
+their liberation, and the scenes of the last day, as described in the
+Bible, will commence. The ploughshare of ruin will be driven onward, until
+this fair world is all ingulfed, and no trace of organic life remains.
+Yet to him who realizes that the destruction is only a necessary
+preparation for a brighter world, which will emerge from the ruins of the
+present; that, when the matter of the globe has been purified, its surface
+shall be covered with new and lovelier forms of beauty, surrounded by a
+still more bland and balmy atmosphere, and inhabited by sinless and
+immortal beings,--to him who realizes all this, the desolation will put on
+the aspect of a glorious transformation.
+
+In the second place, still deeper will be this impression, when we
+recollect that similar transmutations have already been experienced by the
+earth with an improvement of its condition. There is no evidence that the
+entire surface of the earth has ever undergone a complete fusion since
+organic life first appeared upon it. But we have reason to think that,
+frequently, at least, when one race of animals and plants has disappeared
+from the earth, it has been the result of violent catastrophes, proceeding
+from the elevation or subsidence of continents or chains of mountains.
+Says Agassiz, "A very remarkable, and perhaps the most surprising fact is,
+that the appearance of the chains of mountains, and the inequalities of
+the surface resulting from it, seem to have coincided generally with the
+epochs of the renewal of organized beings."--_Ed. Journal of Science_,
+Oct. 1842, p. 394.--These vertical movements of such large portions of the
+earth's crust could have resulted only from the direct or indirect agency
+of volcanic power, though the destruction of organic life, which must have
+been the consequence, may have resulted as often from aqueous as igneous
+inundations. But usually both agencies were probably concerned, and the
+predominance of one or the other of these agencies is of little
+consequence to the argument; for if such wide-spread ruin has already
+repeatedly passed over the earth, a still wider desolation may be
+presumed possible, if only a little wider play shall be given to the
+agents of destruction. Already have the changes of this sort which the
+earth, or portions of it, have undergone, resulted in an improved
+condition of its surface. In other words, at each successive epoch,
+animals and plants of a higher and more perfect organization have
+appeared, because the temperature, the air, and the earth's general
+condition have been better adapted to their happy existence. The amount of
+limestone seems to have been constantly increasing, and, as a consequence,
+the fertility of the soil; probably, also, the amount of carbonic acid has
+diminished in the atmosphere, as animals with lungs have been multiplied.
+In short, there is a prodigious increase, among the present inhabitants of
+the globe, of animals and plants possessing complicated and delicate
+organization and loftier intellectual powers, over all former conditions
+of the globe. But we have reason to believe, from the Christian
+Scriptures, that the next economy of life which shall be placed upon the
+globe will far transcend all those that have gone before. Every vestige of
+sin, suffering, decay, and death will disappear. Says the Bible, _There
+shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be
+any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And there shall in
+no wise enter it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
+abomination, or maketh a lie._ In short, the change is no other than the
+conversion of this world into heaven. Reasonably, therefore, might we
+anticipate a most thorough destruction of the present world, to prepare
+the way for the introduction of such a glorious state. The Scriptures
+describe that state by the most splendid imagery that can be derived from
+existing nature. It is represented, figuratively, no doubt, as a splendid
+city, prepared of God, and let down to the earth. Its twelve foundations
+are all precious stones, its gates pearls, its wall jasper, and its
+streets pure gold, as it were, transparent glass. The Lord God Almighty
+and the Lamb are the temple of that city. Instead of the sun and the moon,
+the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. From
+out of their throne proceeds the water of life, clear as crystal, and
+along its banks grows the tree of life, with its twelve manner of fruits,
+yielding its fruit every month.
+
+Here, then, we have the most splendid and enchanting objects in nature
+brought before us as representatives of the new heavens and the new earth.
+Yet we cannot learn from the Bible, or science, what material dress nature
+will then put on. We are taught only that it will far exceed, in splendor
+and perfection, the drapery which she now wears. We may be assured that it
+will be eminently adapted to a spirit that is henceforth to be perfectly
+holy, happy, incorruptible, and immortal. Both revelation and geology
+agree in assuring us that the new earth, which will emerge from the ruins
+of the present, will be improved in its condition; but the particulars of
+that condition are not described--probably because we could not, in our
+present state, understand them.
+
+Such are the views concerning the earth's future destruction and
+renovation, which appear to me to be taught by a fair interpretation of
+Scripture, and which harmonize with the teachings of geology. But we are
+met here by two formidable difficulties. In the first place, if the
+present earth is to be burnt up and melted at the last day, it must
+require thousands of years before another solid crust shall be formed upon
+its surface, capable of sustaining organic natures which are material. But
+the Bible represents the righteous, at the day of judgment, as reunited to
+their bodies, which they left in the grave, and entering at once into
+their residence upon the new earth. Where, then, can we find the
+thousands of years which, by this theory, are essential to prepare this
+residence for their reception? Into what intermediate place, what new
+Hades, shall they pass, until verdure shall clothe the new earth, and more
+than the primeval beauty of Eden take the place of the volcanic desolation
+which must reign over a world just beginning to cool from incandescent
+heat?
+
+I freely acknowledge that this is a serious objection to my theory; and
+perhaps it is insuperable, unless we resort to miraculous interference. It
+were easy to say, that God can, in a moment, convert a globe of fire into
+a paradise of beauty, and make its landscapes smile with charms
+transcending the bowers of paradise lost. Indeed, the Scriptures represent
+the New Jerusalem as prepared by God's own hands, and let down at once
+upon the earth to form the metropolitan abode of the righteous.
+
+But, after all, I am unwilling thus to dispose of the difficulty. For it
+is a clumsy way to meet objections, when we undertake to philosophize upon
+events, either past, present, or future, to foist in a miracle, in order
+to eke out our hypothesis. We thus make an image of as incoherent parts as
+that in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and as easily broken in pieces.
+
+There is a second mode by which the difficulty under consideration can be
+completely obviated, could we only admit the theory on which it rests.
+Some theological writers have maintained that the day of judgment will
+occupy a long period,--thousands and tens of thousands of years
+perhaps,--in order that every individual may experience a literal trial
+before the universe for all his conduct on earth, so that the conscience
+of every one in that vast assembly shall approve the final sentence. They
+appeal to various texts of Scripture, where it is strongly stated that
+rigid inquisition will be made on that solemn day into the conduct and
+motives of every individual. And it may be, indeed, that such descriptions
+are to have a literal fulfilment; and if so, we should have a period long
+enough for the new earth to be recovered by natural means from its
+volcanic desolation, and to be covered over with new forms of beauty. But
+I confess the theory of such a long period of judgment does not seem to me
+to be sustained by the most approved rules of exegesis, and therefore I am
+unwilling to rest upon it to sustain my own hypothesis.
+
+But is it not possible that our difficulty of conceiving how the spiritual
+body can enter at once upon its residence in the new heavens and earth,
+while yet the globe is only a shoreless ocean of fire, results from a
+mistaken conception of the nature of the spiritual body? Do we not judge
+of it by our own present bodies, and imagine that it must necessarily
+possess such an organization as would be destroyed by the extremes of heat
+and cold? And are we authorized to draw such an inference? The Scriptures
+have, indeed, left us very much in the dark as to the specific nature of
+the future glorified body, which Paul calls a spiritual body. He does not
+mean that it is composed of spirit, for then it would not differ from the
+soul itself, by which it is to be animated. He certainly means that it is
+composed of matter; unless, indeed, there be in the universe a third
+substance, distinct both from matter and spirit. But of the existence of
+such a substance we have no positive evidence; and, therefore, must
+conclude the spiritual body to be matter; called spiritual, probably,
+because eminently adapted to form the immortal residence of pure spirit.
+
+Yet we learn from the apostle's description that it is not composed of
+flesh and blood, which, he says, cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
+neither is it capable of decay, like our present bodies. Indeed, the
+illustration which he derives from the decay and germination of a kernel
+of wheat shows us that the future body will be as much unlike the present
+as a stalk of wheat is different from the seed whence it sprang; and, in
+appearance, scarcely any two things are more unlike. Hence we may suppose
+the resurrection body of the righteous to be as different from that which
+the soul now animates as matter can be, in its most diverse forms.
+
+Now, the question arises, Do we know of any form of matter in the present
+world which remains the same at all temperatures, and in all
+circumstances, which no chemical or mechanical agencies can alter?--a
+substance which remains unchanged in the very heart of the ice around the
+poles, and in the focus of a volcano; which remains untouched by the most
+powerful reagents which the chemist can apply, and by the mightiest forces
+which the mechanician can bring to bear upon it? It seems to me that
+modern science does render the existence of such a substance probable,
+though not cognizable by the senses. It is the luminiferous ether, that
+attenuated medium by which light, and heat, and electricity are
+transmitted from one part of the universe to another, by undulations of
+inconceivable velocity. This strange fluid, whose existence and action
+seems all but demonstrated by the phenomena of light, heat, and
+electricity, and perhaps, too, by the resistance experienced by Encke's,
+Biela's, and Halley's comets, must possess the extraordinary
+characteristic above pointed out. It must exist and act wherever we find
+light, heat, or electricity; and where do we not find them? They penetrate
+through what has been called empty space; and, therefore, this ether
+exists there, propagating its undulations at the astonishing rate of two
+hundred thousand miles per second. They emanate in constant succession
+from every intensely heated focus, such as the sun, the volcano, and the
+chemical furnace; and, therefore, this strange medium is neither
+dissipated nor affected by the strongest known heat. Both light and heat
+are transmitted through ice; and, therefore, this ether cannot be
+congealed. The same is true of glass, and every transparent substance,
+however dense; and even the most solid metals convey heat and electricity
+with remarkable facility; and, therefore, this ether exists and acts with
+equal facility in the most solid masses as in a vacuum. In short, it seems
+to be independent of chemical or mechanical changes, and to act
+unobstructed in all possible modifications of matter. And, though too
+evanescent to be cognizable by the senses, or the most delicate chemical
+and mechanical tests, it possesses, nevertheless, a most astonishing
+activity.
+
+Now, I am not going to assert that the spiritual body will be composed of
+this luminiferous ether. But, since we know not the composition of that
+body, it is lawful to suppose that such may be its constitution. This is
+surely possible, and that is all which is essential to my present
+argument.
+
+Admitting its truth, the following interesting conclusions follow:--
+
+In the first place, the spiritual body would be unaffected by all possible
+changes of temperature. It might exist as well in the midst of fire, or of
+ice, as in any intermediate temperature. Hence it might pass from one
+extreme of temperature to another, and be at home in them all; and this is
+what we might hope for in a future world. Some, indeed, have imagined that
+the sun will be the future heaven of the righteous; and on this
+supposition there is no absurdity in the theory. Nor would there be in the
+hypothesis which should locate heaven in solid ice, or in the centre of
+the earth.
+
+In the second place, on this supposition, the spiritual body would be
+unharmed by those chemical and mechanical agencies which matter in no
+other form can resist.
+
+The question has often arisen, how the glorified body, if material, would
+be able to escape all sources of injury, so as to be immortal as the soul.
+In this hypothesis, we see how it is possible; for though the whole globe
+should change its chemical constitution, though worlds should dash upon
+worlds, the spiritual body, though present at the very point where the
+terrible collision took place, would feel no injury; and safe in its
+immortal habitation, the soul might smile amid "the wreck of matter and
+the crush of worlds."
+
+In the third place, on this supposition, the soul might communicate its
+thoughts and receive a knowledge of events and of other minds, through
+distances inconceivably great, with the speed of lightning. If we suppose
+the soul, in such a tenement, could transmit its thoughts and desires, and
+receive impressions, through the luminiferous ether, with only the same
+velocity as light, it might communicate with other beings upon the sun, at
+the distance of one hundred million miles, in eight minutes; and such a
+power we may reasonably expect the soul will hereafter possess, whether
+derived from this or some other agency. We cannot believe that, in another
+world, the soul's communication with the rest of the universe will be as
+limited as in the present state. On this supposition, she need not wander
+through the universe to learn the events transpiring in other spheres, for
+the intelligence would be borne on the morning's ray or the lightning's
+wing.
+
+Finally, on this supposition, the germ of the future spiritual body may,
+even in this world, be attached to the soul; and it may be this which she
+will come seeking after on the resurrection morning.
+
+I know not but this wonderful medium, in some unknown form, may attach
+itself to the sleeping dust; and though that dust be scattered upon the
+winds, or diffused in the waters of the ocean, and transformed into other
+animal bodies, still that germ may not be lost. The chemist has often been
+perplexed, when he thinks how the bodies of men are decomposed after
+death, and how every particle must, in some cases, pass into other bodies;
+he has been perplexed, I say, to see how the resurrection body should be
+identified, and especially how those particles could become a part of
+different bodies. Perhaps the hypothesis under consideration may relieve
+the difficulty. Perhaps, too, it may teach us how the soul exists and
+acts, when separated from the body. It may act through this universal
+medium, though in a manner less perfect than after it has united itself to
+the spiritual body raised from the grave.[20]
+
+But I fear I am venturing too far into the region of conjecture. My only
+object is, to show that we do know of a substance which might form a
+spiritual body which should be in its element upon the new earth, even
+though it were in the condition of a fiery ocean. It could not, indeed, be
+an organic body of such a kind as heat would destroy; though I see no
+reason why it may not possess an organism far more delicate and wonderful
+than that of our present bodies, and yet be unaffected by heat or cold, or
+mechanical or chemical agencies. I do not feel, therefore, that the
+objection which I am considering is insuperable. It results, I apprehend,
+from the false assumption that the spiritual body will be subject to
+those influences by which our present comparatively gross bodies are so
+powerfully affected.
+
+Shall I be pardoned if I say that, in the experiments of an incipient and
+maltreated science, we have, perhaps, a glimpse of the manner in which the
+soul will act in the future spiritual body? for if those experiments be
+not all delusion,--and how can we reasonably infer that experiments so
+multiplied, so various, and in many cases, when not in the hands of
+itinerant jugglers, so fairly performed,--I say, how can we regard all
+these as mere trickery? and if not, they are best explained by supposing
+the soul to act independently of the bodily organs, and through the same
+medium which we have supposed to constitute the future spiritual body. In
+this view, mesmerism assumes a most interesting aspect, forming, as it
+were, a link between the present and the future world. The theory which I
+have advanced does not, indeed, fall to the ground, though mesmerism
+should be found a delusion; yet it is but justice to say, that it first
+came under my eye in that most classical, philosophical, and attractive
+work, Townsend's "Facts in Mesmerism." A similar view, however, was
+presented several years earlier, in a work by Isaac Taylor, no less
+ingenious and profound, the "Physical Theory of Another Life," a work,
+however, which makes not the slightest allusion to mesmerism. The author
+supposes such a state of things as I have imagined in another life to be
+in existence even now. "The sensation of light," says he, "is now believed
+to result from the vibrations, not the emanations, of an elastic fluid, or
+ether; but this same element may be capable of another species of
+vibrations; or the electric or the magnetic fluids may be susceptible of
+some such vibrations; or an element as universally diffused as light
+through the universe may be the medium of sonorous undulations, equally
+rapid and distinct, and serving to connect the most remote regions of the
+universe by the conveyance of sounds, just as the most remote are actually
+connected by the passage of light. Yet the sonorous vibrations of this
+supposed element may be far too delicate to awaken the ear of man, or, in
+fact, of a kind not perceptible by the human auditory nerve." "We refuse
+to allow that a conjecture of this sort is extravagant, or destitute of
+philosophical probability; on the contrary, consider it as borne out, in a
+positive sense, by the discoveries of modern science. Might we then rest
+for a moment upon an animating conception (aided by the actual analogy of
+light) such as this, viz., that the field of the visible universe is the
+theatre of a vast social economy, holding rational intercourse at great
+distances? Let us claim leave to indulge the belief, when we contemplate
+the starry heavens, that speech, inquiry and response, commands and
+petitions, debate and instruction, are passing to and fro; or shall the
+imagination catch the pealing anthems of praise, at stated seasons,
+arising from worshippers in all quarters, and flowing on with thundering
+power, like the noise of many waters, until it meet and shake the courts
+of the central heavens?"--_Physical Theory of Another Life_, p. 202, 3d
+Am. ed.
+
+The second objection to the view which I have presented of the future
+destruction and renovation of the earth, as an abode of the righteous, may
+be thus stated: Heaven is an unchanging state; but a world which has been
+burned up and melted, even if we might suppose spiritual beings to dwell
+upon it, must undergo still further change. The radiation of its heat
+would form a crust over its surface; the waters, dissipated into vapor,
+would be recondensed; volcanic agency would ridge up the crust into
+mountains and valleys; and, in short, geological agencies would at length
+form such a surface, so far as rocks and soil are concerned, as we now
+tread upon. And even though organic beings should not be again placed upon
+it, those changes would proceed, till, perhaps, another and another great
+catastrophe by fire might pass over it; nor can we say where these
+mutations would end. Can we believe such a world to be heaven?
+
+Here, again, as in the last objection, it appears to me, the main
+difficulty lies in our judging of the future spiritual body by that
+organism which we now inhabit. Heaven is, indeed, an unchanging state of
+happiness and holiness. But does it, therefore, follow that there can be
+no change in its material form and aspect? I have already shown that the
+spiritual body may be of such a composition that no change of temperature,
+of place or constitution, in surrounding bodies, can at all affect it. If
+the soul could be happy in one set of physical circumstances while in such
+a tenement, it might be happy in any other circumstances with which we are
+acquainted. But it does not follow that the happiness of the soul might
+not be increased by the changes of the material world around it. What is
+it on earth that affords the greatest amount of happiness derived from the
+external world? It is the immense variety of creation, produced chiefly by
+chemical and mechanical agencies. These changes afford us the most
+striking exhibitions of the wisdom, power, and benevolence of the Deity,
+within our knowledge; and why may not analogous, or still more wonderful
+changes, and greater variety, give still higher conceptions of the divine
+character to the inhabitants of heaven, and excite a purer and a stronger
+love? And to study that character will form, I doubt not, the grand
+employment of heaven. Who can tell what depths of knowledge may there be
+laid open into the internal constitution of matter, and its combinations,
+and especially its union with spirit! And what surer means of bringing out
+these developments than change, constant and everlasting change? For who
+can set limits to those mutations which an infinite God can produce upon
+the matter of this vast universe? It is easy to see that they may be
+literally infinite.
+
+Once more. We have seen that the geological changes which our world has
+hitherto undergone have been an improvement of its condition, and that
+each successive economy has been a brighter exhibition of divine wisdom
+and benevolence: Shall this progress be arrested when the present economy
+closes? We know that the righteous will forever advance in holiness and
+happiness. Why may not a part of that increase depend upon their
+introduction into higher and higher economies through eternal ages? May
+not this be one of the modes in which new developments of the character of
+God will open upon them in the world of bliss?
+
+The Scriptures represent the material aspect of the new heavens and the
+new earth, when first the righteous enter upon them, to be one of
+surpassing glory. But why may not other developments await them in the
+round of eternal ages, as their expanding faculties are able to understand
+and appreciate them?
+
+The greater the variety of new scenes in the material world which shall be
+presented to the mind, such as an infinite Deity shall devise, the more
+intense the happiness of their contemplations; and who can set limits to
+the permutations which such a being can produce, even upon matter? I can
+form no conjecture as to the nature of those new developments; nor do I
+believe they could be understood in our present state. I feel as if those
+formed too low an estimate of the new heavens and the new earth, who
+imagine a repetition there of the most curious organic structures, the
+most splendid flowers and fruits, and the most enchanting landscapes of
+the present world: I fancy that scenes far more enchanting, and objects
+far more glorious, will meet the soul at its first entrance upon the new
+earth, even though to mortal vision it should present only an ocean of
+fire. I imagine a thousand new inlets into the soul--nay, I think of it as
+all eye, all ear, all sensation; now plunging deeper into the
+infinitesimal parts of matter than the microscope can carry us, and now
+soaring away, perhaps on the waves of the mysterious ether, far beyond the
+ken of the telescope. And if such is the first entrance into heaven, who
+can conjecture what new fields and new glories shall open before the mind,
+and fill it with ecstasy, as it flies onward without end! But I dare not
+indulge further in these hypothetical, yet fascinating thoughts; yet let
+us never forget, that in a very short time, far shorter than we imagine,
+all the scenes of futurity will be to us a thrilling reality. We shall
+then know in a moment how much of truth there is in these speculations.
+But if they all prove false, fully confident am I that the scenes which
+will open upon us will surpass our liveliest conceptions. The glass
+through which we now see darkly will be removed, and face to face shall we
+meet eternal glories. Then shall we learn that our present bodily organs,
+however admirably adapted to our condition here, were in fact clogs upon
+the soul, intended to fetter its free range, that we might the more richly
+enjoy the liberty of the sons of God, and expatiate in the spiritual body,
+_the building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the
+heavens_.
+
+Let us, then, live continually under the influence of the scenes that
+await us beyond the grave. They will thus become familiar to us and we
+shall appreciate their infinite superiority to the objects that so deeply
+interest us on earth. We shall be led to look forward even with strong
+desire, in spite of the repulsive aspect of death, to that state where the
+soul will be freed from her prison-house of flesh and blood, and can range
+in untiring freedom through the boundless fields of knowledge and
+happiness that are in prospect. Then shall we learn to despise the low
+aims and contracted views of the sensualist, the demagogue, and the
+worldling. High and noble thoughts and aspirations will lift our souls
+above the murky atmosphere of this world, and, while yet in the body, we
+shall begin to breathe the empyreal air of the new heavens, and to gather
+the fruits of the tree of life in the new earth, where righteousness only
+shall forever dwell.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XII.
+
+THE TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSE.
+
+
+In order to impress some important truth or transaction, men have
+sometimes represented surrounding inanimate objects as looking on and
+witnessing the scene, or listening to the words, and ready ever afterwards
+to open their mouth to testify to the facts, should man deny them. I know
+of no writings from which to derive so striking an illustration of these
+strong figurative representations as the sacred Scriptures.
+
+Take, for a first example, the solemn covenant entered into between
+Jehovah and the Israelites, in the time of Joshua. To fix the transaction
+as firmly as possible in the minds of the fickle people, _he took a great
+stone and set it up there under an oak that was by the sanctuary of the
+Lord. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a
+witness unto us. For it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he
+spake unto us. It shall, therefore, be a witness unto you, lest ye deny
+your God._
+
+In a second example, the prophet Habakkuk describes the insatiable
+wickedness of the Chaldeans; and addressing the nation as an individual,
+he says, _Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many
+people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stone shall cry out of
+the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it._ Such
+abominations had aroused even the most insensible part of creation, the
+very timber and the stone, to life and indignation.
+
+In a third example, the whole multitude of Jews had just spread their
+garments upon the ground for Christ to ride over, they meanwhile crying
+out, _Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in
+heaven and glory in the highest._ But some of the Pharisees said, _Master,
+rebuke thy disciples; and he answered and said unto them, If these should
+hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out._ If man refused to
+do homage to the King of glory, when he came among them, the rocks, more
+sensible, would break forth in his praises.
+
+The discoveries of modern science, however, show us that there is a
+literal sense in which the material creation receives an impression from
+all our words and actions that can never be effaced; and that nature,
+through all time, is ever ready to bear testimony of what we have said and
+done. Men fancy that the wave of oblivion passes over the greater part of
+their actions. But physical science shows us that those actions have been
+transfused into the very texture of the universe, so that no waters can
+wash them out, and no erosions, comminution, or metamorphoses, can
+obliterate them.
+
+The principle which I advance in its naked form is this: _Our words, our
+actions, and even our thoughts, make an indelible impression on the
+universe._ Thrown into a poetic form, this principle converts creation
+
+  Into a vast sounding gallery;
+  Into a vast picture gallery;
+  And into a universal telegraph.
+
+This proposition I shall endeavor to sustain by an appeal to
+well-established principles of science. Yet, since some of these
+principles are not the most common and familiar, and have not been
+applied, except in part, to this subject, I must be more technical in
+their explanation than I could wish, and more minute in the details.
+
+The grand point, however, on which the whole subject turns, is the
+doctrine of reaction. By this is meant the mutual or reciprocal action of
+different things upon one another. Thus, if a body fall to the earth, the
+earth reacts upon it, and stops it, or throws it back. If sulphuric acid
+be poured upon limestone, a mutual action ensues; the acid acts on the
+stone, and the stone reacts upon the acid, and a new compound is produced.
+If light fall upon a solid body, the body reacts upon the light, which it
+sends back to the eye with an image of itself. These are examples of what
+is meant by reaction, or the reciprocal action of different substances
+upon one another. But it is not every kind of reaction that will prove a
+permanent impression to be made upon the universe by our conduct. Hence we
+must be more specific.
+
+_In the first place, the principle is proved and illustrated by the
+doctrine of mechanical reaction._
+
+From the principle, long since settled in mechanics, that action and
+reaction are equal, it will follow that every impression which man makes
+by his words, or his movements, upon the air, the waters, or the solid
+earth, will produce a series of changes in each of those elements which
+will never end. The word which is now going out of my mouth causes
+pulsations or waves in the air, and these, though invisible to human eyes,
+expand in every direction until they have passed around the whole globe,
+and produced a change in the whole atmosphere; nor will a single
+circumgyration complete the effect; but the sentence which I am now
+uttering shall alter the whole atmosphere through all future time. So
+that, as Professor Babbage remarks, to whom we are indebted for the first
+moral application of this mechanical principle, "the air is one vast
+library, on whose pages are forever written all that man has ever said, or
+woman whispered." Not a word has ever escaped from mortal lips, whether
+for the defence of virtue or the perversion of the truth, not a cry of
+agony has ever been uttered by the oppressed, not a mandate of cruelty by
+the oppressor, not a false and flattering word by the deceiver, but it is
+registered indelibly upon the atmosphere we breathe. And could man command
+the mathematics of superior minds, every particle of air thus set in
+motion could be traced through all its changes, with as much precision as
+the astronomer can point out the path of the heavenly bodies. No matter
+how many storms have raised the atmosphere into wild commotion, and
+whirled it into countless forms; no matter how many conflicting waves have
+mixed and crossed one another; the path of each pulsation is definite, and
+subject to the laws of mathematics. To follow it requires, indeed, a power
+of analysis superior to human; but we can conceive it to be far inferior
+to the divine.
+
+The same thing is true of the waters. No wave has ever been raised on
+their bosom, no keel has ever ploughed their surface, which has not sent
+an influence and a change into every ocean, and modified every wave, that
+has rolled in upon the farthest shores. As the vessel crosses the deep,
+the parted waves close in, and every trace of disturbance soon disappears
+from human vision. Nevertheless, it is certain that every track thus
+furrowed in the waters has sent an influence through their entire mass,
+such as is calculable by distinct formulae; and it may be that glorified
+minds, by the principles of celestial mathematics, can as easily trace out
+the paths of the unnumbered vessels that have crossed the waters, as the
+astronomer can the paths of the planets or the comets.
+
+The solid earth, too, is alike tenacious of every impression we make upon
+it; not a footprint of man or beast is marked upon its surface, that does
+not permanently change the whole globe. Every one of its countless atoms
+will retain and exhibit an infinitesimal, but a real, effect through all
+coming time. It is too minute, indeed, for the cognizance of the human
+senses. But in a higher sphere there may be inlets of perception acute
+enough to trace it through all its bearings, and thus render every atom of
+the globe a living witness to the actions of every living being.
+
+In view of these facts, we cannot regard the glowing language of Babbage
+an exaggeration, when he says, "The soul of the negro, whose fettered
+body, surviving the living charnel-house of his infected prison, was
+thrown into the sea to lighten the ship, that his Christian master might
+escape the limited justice at length assigned by civilized man to crimes
+whose profit had long gilded their atrocity, will need, at the last great
+day of human accounts, no living witness of his earthly agony: when man
+and all his race shall have disappeared from the face of our planet, ask
+every particle of air still floating over the unpeopled earth, and it will
+record the cruel mandate of the tyrant. Interrogate every wave which
+breaks unimpeded on ten thousand desolate shores, and it will give
+evidence of the last gurgle of the waters which closed over the head of
+his dying victim. Confront the murderer with every corporeal atom of his
+immolated slave, and in its still quivering movements he will read the
+prophet's denunciation of the prophet king."
+
+The distinguished mathematical professor from whom I have just quoted
+limits the effects of this mathematical reaction to this globe and its
+atmosphere. But if, as the philosophers now generally admit, there is a
+subtile and extremely elastic medium pervading all space, why must they
+not extend to other worlds, yea, to the whole universe? Without an
+accurate acquaintance with the facts, indeed, it will seem a mere
+extravagant imagination to say that our most trivial word or action sends
+a thrill throughout the whole material universe; but I see not why sober
+and legitimate science does not conduct us to this conclusion. Nay, still
+further, it teaches us that the vibrations and changes which our words and
+actions produce upon the universe shall never cease their action and
+reaction till materialism be no more.
+
+We venture, then, to push this thought of the ingenious mathematician into
+another sphere, which he did not enter. The majority, probably, of the
+ablest expounders of the Bible have maintained, as previously shown, that
+the apostle Peter most unequivocally teaches us that the new heavens, or
+atmosphere, and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, are merely
+our present earth and atmosphere, melted and burnt by the fires of the
+last day, and fitted up anew,--a second and a lovelier paradise,--to be
+the everlasting abode of holiness and happiness. Indeed, to attempt to fix
+any other meaning upon Peter's language makes of it a most absurd jumble
+of literal and figurative expressions, and produces an inversion of
+chronological events. But, admitting the literal meaning of the apostle to
+be the true one, then those reactions, produced by our words and conduct
+upon the present world, shall not be destroyed by the fires of the last
+day, but reappear in the new economy, and modify the pulsations of the new
+heavens and the new earth through all eternity.
+
+But even though heaven should be in some other part of the universe, and
+not this earth refitted, yet, if it be a material residence, why, on the
+principles already explained, should it not be reached and affected by
+those vibrations which the laws of mathematics assure us are now
+spreading from each individual, as a centre, through the whole universe?
+The conflagration of the earth will alter its chemical constitution, and
+convert matter into new forms; but the mechanical character of the atoms
+will not be destroyed; and when they emerge from the final catastrophe, in
+new and brighter forms, they may still bear and exhibit the impress of
+every word and every action which they now receive.
+
+Such representations as these, I am aware, will, upon first thought, seem
+to most minds little better than the dreams of fancy, although founded
+upon the laws of mathematics. For how soon does every trace disappear from
+the earth of the most terrible convulsions and the mightiest human
+efforts! The shout of countless multitudes, the thunder and the crash of
+battle, and even the volcano's bellowing, are soon succeeded by unbroken
+silence; and we cannot discover a trace of any of those countless scenes
+of noise and convulsion that have been acted upon the world's busy stage.
+How practically absurd, then, to imagine that any influence goes out from
+the feeble efforts of individuals, that can be recognized, either now or
+hereafter, on the wide field of the universe!
+
+Such objections as these, however, are based upon the impression, of which
+it is hard to divest ourselves, that our present means of distinguishing
+the effects of physical forces are as perfect as we can hope for in
+eternity. And yet, who will doubt that, when our present gross bodies
+shall be laid aside, the soul, looking forth from a spiritual body, with
+quickened powers and unobstructed vision, shall penetrate a new world in
+the infinitesimal parts of creation? What absurdity in the supposition
+that then the minutest movement among the atoms, which can now be
+discovered only by the mathematics of quantities infinitely small, may
+then stand out as distinctly to our inspection as do now the features of
+the landscape? What absurdity in the supposition that, even now, there are
+finite minds in the universe who possess this quickened power of
+perception, and, though in distant worlds, do actually know what is
+passing here by the vibrations which our words and actions produce upon
+elastic matter?
+
+Thus far I have spoken of the influence of our words and actions only upon
+the material universe, although the principle with which I started
+includes thoughts also. But are not actions merely the external
+manifestation of thoughts and purposes? and, therefore, is not thought the
+efficient agency that impresses the universe? I shall also attempt to show
+that there are other modes in which the intellect may do this, aside from
+ordinary words and actions.
+
+But I proceed to the second proof of the general principle. _And I derive
+it from what may be called optical reactions; that is, the reaction of
+light and the substances on which it impinges._ These exert such an
+influence upon it, that, when it is thrown back from them, and enters the
+organs of vision, or even a transparent lens, with a screen behind it, it
+produces an image of those objects; in other words, what we call vision.
+
+Now, it is this fact, in connection with the progressive motion of light,
+that forms the basis of this branch of the argument. Though light moves
+with such immense velocity, that, for all practical purposes on earth, it
+is instantaneous, yet, in fact, it does occupy a little more than a second
+for every two hundred thousand miles which it passes over. Hence a flash
+of lightning occurring on earth would not be visible on the moon till a
+second and a quarter afterwards; on the sun, till eight minutes; at the
+planet Jupiter, when at its greatest distance from us, till fifty-two
+minutes; on Uranus, till two hours; on Neptune, till four hours and a
+quarter; on the star of Vega, of the first magnitude, till forty-five
+years; on a star of the eighth magnitude, till one hundred and eighty
+years; and on a star of the twelfth magnitude, till four thousand years;
+and stars of this magnitude are visible through telescopes; nor can we
+doubt that, with better instruments, stars of far less magnitude might be
+seen; so that we may confidently say that this flash of lightning would
+not reach the remotest heavenly body till more than six thousand years--a
+period equal to that which has elapsed since man's creation.
+
+Now, suppose that, on these different heavenly bodies, beings exist with
+organs of vision sufficiently acute to discern a flash of lightning on
+earth, or, rather, to see all the scenes on that hemisphere of our world
+that is turned towards them; it is obvious that, on the remotest star, the
+earth would be seen, at this moment, just coming forth from the Creator's
+hand, in all the freshness of Eden's glories, with our first parents in
+the beauty of innocence and happiness, and all the beasts of the field and
+the fowls of the air playing around them. On a star of the twelfth
+magnitude would be seen the world as it showed itself four thousand years
+ago; on a star of the eighth magnitude, as it appeared one hundred and
+eighty years ago; and so on to the moon, where would be seen the
+occurrences of the present moment. And since there are ten thousand times
+ten thousand worlds, scattered through these extremes of distance, is it
+not clear that, taking them all together, they do at this moment contain a
+vast panorama of the world's entire history, since the hour when the
+morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy on
+creation's morning?
+
+"Thus," says the unknown author of a little work entitled "The Stars and
+the Earth," in which these ideas were first developed--"thus the universe
+encloses the _pictures_ of the past, like an indestructible and
+incorruptible record, containing the purest and the clearest truth; and as
+sound propagates itself in the air, wave after wave, or, to take a still
+clearer example, as thunder and lightning are in reality simultaneous, but
+in the storm the distant thunder follows at the interval of minutes
+[seconds?] after the flash, so, in like manner, according to our ideas,
+the pictures of every occurrence propagate themselves into the distant
+ether, upon the wings of the ray of light; and although they become weaker
+and smaller, yet, in immeasurable distance, they still have color and
+form; and as every thing possessing color and form is visible, so must
+these pictures also be said to be visible, however impossible it may be
+for the human eye to perceive it with the hitherto discovered optical
+instruments."
+
+This last statement of the writer every one will acknowledge is true when
+applied to God; for who will doubt that his eye can take in at a glance
+that universe which he has made? And to do that is to have before him the
+entire daily history of our globe; nay, probably, also, of every other
+world. Indeed, such a supposition affords us a lively conception of the
+divine omniscience, since we have only to suppose this panorama of the
+indefinite past to extend indefinitely into the future, and the infinite
+picture will also be present at this moment before the divine mind.
+
+But is the supposition an absurdity, that there may be in the universe
+created beings, with powers of vision acute enough to take in all these
+pictures of our world's history, as they make the circuit of the
+numberless suns and planets that lie embosomed in boundless space? Suppose
+such a being at this moment upon a star of the twelfth magnitude, with an
+eye turned toward the earth. He might see the deluge of Noah, just
+sweeping over the surface. Advancing to a nearer star, he would see the
+patriarch Abraham going out, not knowing whither he went. Coming still
+nearer, the vision of the crucified Redeemer would meet his gaze. Coming
+nearer still, he might alight upon worlds where all the revolutions and
+convulsions of modern times would fall upon his eye. Indeed, there are
+worlds enough and at the right distances, in the vast empyrean, to show
+him every event in human history.
+
+We may proceed a step farther, and inquire whether such an exaltation of
+vision as we have supposed may not be hereafter enjoyed by the glorified
+human mind when it passes into the spiritual body. We can hardly believe
+such a transformation possible. But suppose an individual born blind to
+grow up to manhood and intelligence without ever having been told any
+thing about vision. Then suppose the oculist to attempt an operation for
+the restoration of his sight, and, to prepare him for the transition, let
+the wonders of human vision be described to him, and he be told that, by a
+few moments of suffering, he can be put in possession of this astonishing
+faculty; would it not appear as improbable to him as it now does to us, to
+imagine that our vision can be so clarified and exalted, that we can
+discern the events which are passing in distant worlds as easily as we now
+do those immediately around us.
+
+But if such a power of reading human history, from its panorama spread out
+on the face of the universe, be now possessed by unfallen beings in other
+spheres, what idea must they form of the character of man? At one time,
+they must regard the race as given up to hopeless rebellion, and the
+inflictions of vindictive justice. And then, anon, they would see the
+sceptre of mercy stretched out, and a few faithful soldiers marching under
+the banner of virtue and fighting the battles of the Lord. Surely they
+would need a revelation to understand the anomalies and solve the
+paradoxes which passed under their eyes. They would wonder why a world so
+filled with tokens of divine goodness, yet so disfigured by wickedness in
+every form, had not long since been struck from its orbit by the hand of
+divine justice.
+
+Thus far, in the present argument, I have been following, for the most
+part, in the track marked out by others. But I now venture to advance into
+regions hitherto untrodden for any such purpose; yet I trust that the
+light which we may find to guide our steps may not prove the bewildering
+gleam of an _ignis fatuus_, but the lamp of true science.
+
+_My third argument is based upon electric reactions._
+
+Whatever may be the true nature of electricity, it is convenient, and
+probably leads to no error, to speak of it as a fluid, or rather two
+fluids. For we find two kinds of electricity, denominated positive and
+negative; and it is a general fact, that, when a body is brought into one
+electrical state, it throws other bodies around it into the opposite
+state, by a power called induction. Those bodies, whose electrical
+condition has been thus altered, will act on others lying in a remoter
+circle, and these upon others, and so on, we cannot tell how widely, for
+we have reason to suppose that electricity is a power that extends through
+all nature. It can hardly be doubted that is the force which constitutes
+what we call chemical affinity by which the constituent parts of all
+compound bodies are held together; and in those stony and metallic masses,
+that occasionally fall from the heavens, we have proof that this same
+power holds sway in other worlds; for the most reasonable supposition is,
+that these meteors move like the planets through the regions of celestial
+space, and give us some idea of the constitution of planetary worlds. If
+so, the same chemical laws, and, of course, the same chemical forces,
+prevail there as in our planet. Indeed, the uniformity of nature would
+lead us to such a conclusion were there no facts like those of meteors to
+teach it directly. It follows, from these principles, that, whenever we
+change the electrical condition of bodies around us, we start a movement
+to whose onward march we can assign no limits but the material universe.
+These waves of influence consist of a series of attractions and
+repulsions, and are independent of the mechanical reactions already
+considered, which are produced by onward impulses alone.
+
+Now, a change in the electric condition of bodies is produced often by the
+slightest mechanical, chemical, thermal, physiological, and probably even
+mental change in man. The usual way of exciting currents of electricity is
+by friction. But chemical action, as in the galvanic battery, produces a
+still more energetic and uninterrupted current. The slightest change of
+temperature, also, may disturb the electric equilibrium perceptibly. It
+has been of late ascertained, likewise, that a change of physiological
+condition--that is, a change as to healthy and normal action--affects the
+electricity of the parts of the system, and consequently of surrounding
+bodies. Substitute a man in the place of a galvanic battery, making his
+two hands the electrodes, and there will go out from him an electric
+current, that shall sensibly deflect the needle of a galvanometer, an
+instrument employed for showing the presence of small portions of
+electricity.
+
+Nay, further, it seems to be most probably established as a fact in
+science, that a man, in the condition above specified, by a simple act of
+his will upon his muscles, by which those of one arm only shall be
+braced, will thereby send an electrical current of one sort through the
+galvanometer, while a like volition, which shall brace the muscles of the
+other arm will set in motion an opposite current.
+
+It is also ascertained, that of the two sorts of nerves which supply every
+muscle, the nerve of sensibility is a positive pole of a Voltaic circuit,
+while the nerve of motion, or the muscle into which it passes, is a
+negative pole. So that the sensor nerves act as electric telegraphs to
+carry the sensations to the brain, and inform it what is needed, while the
+motor nerves bring back the volition to the muscles--the brain acting as a
+galvanic battery, very much like the electric organs of certain fishes.
+
+From these statements it clearly follows, that, besides the mechanical
+effects produced by our actions, there is also an electric influence
+excited and propagated by almost every muscular effort, every chemical
+change within us, every variation in the state of health, or vigor, and
+especially by every mental effort; for no thought, probably, can pass
+through the mind which does not alter the physiological, chemical, and
+electric condition of the brain, and consequently of the whole system. The
+stronger the emotion, the greater the change; so that those great mental
+efforts, and those great decisions of the will, which bring along
+important moral effects, do also make the strongest impression upon the
+material universe. We cannot say how widely, by means of electric force,
+they reach; but if so subtile a power does, as we have reason to suppose,
+permeate all space, and all solid matter, there may be no spot in the
+whole universe where the knowledge of our most secret thoughts and
+purposes, as well as our most trivial outward act, may not be transmitted
+on the lightning's wing; and it may be, that, out of this darkened world,
+there may not be found any spot where beings do not exist with
+sensibilities keen enough to learn, through electric changes, what we are
+doing and thinking.
+
+If there be no absurdity in supposing that even the mechanical influence
+of our actions may be felt throughout the universe, still less is it
+absurd to infer the same results from electric agencies.
+
+It would seem, from recent discoveries, that electricity has a more
+intimate connection with mental operations than any other physical force.
+If not identical with the nervous influence, it seems to be employed by
+the mind to accompany that influence to every part of the system; and the
+greater the mental excitement, the more energetic the electric movement.
+It seems to us a marvellous discovery, which enables man to convey and
+register his thoughts at the distance of thousands of miles by the
+electric wires. Should it excite any higher wonder to be told, that, by
+means of this same power, all our thoughts are transmitted to every part
+of the universe, and can be read there by the neuter perceptions of other
+beings as easily as we can read the types or hieroglyphics of the electric
+telegraph? Yet what a startling thought is it, that the most secret
+workings of our minds and hearts are momentarily spread out in legible
+characters over the whole material universe! nay, that they are so woven
+into the texture of the universe, that they will constitute a part of its
+web and woof forever! To believe and realize this is difficult; to deny it
+is to go in the face of physical science. How many things we do believe
+that are sustained by evidence far less substantial!
+
+_My fourth argument in support of the general principle is based upon
+odylic reaction._
+
+And what is odylic reaction? What is odyle? you will doubtless inquire.
+It is, indeed, a branch of science emphatically new. I know of no account
+of it, save what appears in a late work, of nearly five hundred pages, by
+Baron Reichenbach, of Vienna, entitled "Researches on Magnetism,
+Electricity, Heat, Light, Crystallization, and Chemical Attraction, in
+their Relations to the Vital Force," translated by William Gregory,
+professor of chemistry in the University of Edinburgh. This writer
+endeavors to show, by a great number of experiments, that there exists in
+all bodies, and throughout the universe, a peculiar principle, analogous
+to magnetism, electricity, light, and heat, yet distinct from them all, to
+which he gives the name of _odyle_. It is most manifest in powerful
+magnets; next in crystals, and exists in the human body, the sun, moon,
+stars, heat, electricity, chemical action, and, in fact, the whole
+material universe. Those who are most sensitive to this influence are
+persons of feeble health, especially somnambulists; but it is found that
+about one third of individuals, taken promiscuously, and many in good
+health, are sensible of it; and it was by a series of observations on
+persons of all classes and conditions for years, that the facts have been
+elicited. The inquiry seems to have been conducted with great fairness and
+scientific skill, and the author has the confidence of several of the most
+distinguished scientific men in Europe. If there be no mistake in the
+results, they promise to explain philosophically many popular
+superstitions, and also the phenomena of mesmerism, without a resort to
+superhuman agency, either satanic or angelic. They yield, also, an
+interesting support to the principle of this lecture. Says Baron
+Reichenbach, "There is nothing in these observations [which he had just
+detailed] that, after the contents of the preceding treatises, can much
+surprise us; but they are certainly a fine additional confirmation of what
+has been stated in regard to the sun and moon, and also of the fact that
+the whole material universe, even beyond our earth, acts on us with the
+very same kind of influence which resides in all terrestrial objects; and
+lastly, it shows that we stand in a connection of mutual influence,
+hitherto unsuspected, with the universe; so that, in fact, the stars are
+not altogether devoid of action on our sublunary, perhaps even on our
+practical, world, and on the mental processes of some heads."--P. 162.
+
+By the experiments here referred to by this author, he had endeavored to
+show, that even the light of the stars exerted an odylic influence upon
+the human system; that is, certain effects independent altogether of their
+light; and if there be no mistake in the experiments, they certainly do
+show this. Such a fact almost realizes the suggestions already made, that
+beings in other spheres may possess such an exaltation of sensibilities as
+to be able to learn what is going on in this world, and that it is easy to
+conceive how our sensorium may be raised to the same exalted pitch.
+
+_My fifth argument, illustrative of the general principle, is based upon
+chemical reaction._
+
+Mechanical reaction changes the form and position of bodies; chemical
+reaction alters their constitution. By the decomposition of some
+compounds, the elements are obtained for forming others; and such changes
+are going on around us and within us in great numbers unperceived. In the
+worlds above us, and in the earth beneath us, from its circumference to
+its centre, the transmutations of chemistry are in progress, and many of
+them are modified by the agency of man; so that here is another channel
+through which human actions exert an influence upon the material universe,
+and to an extent which we cannot measure. Let us look at some of the modes
+in which this is done.
+
+Take, in the first place, the facts respecting photography, or the art of
+obtaining sketches of objects by means of the action of light. This is
+strictly a chemical process. In a beam of light, that comes to us from the
+sun, we find not only rays of light and heat, but chemical rays, which act
+upon some bodies to change their constitution. When these rays are
+reflected from a human countenance, and fall upon a silvered plate, that
+has been coated with iodine and bromine, they leave an impression, which
+is fixed and brought out as a portrait by the vapor of mercury and some
+other agents. Here the chemical changes produced by these rays are
+exceedingly perfect; but they produce effects upon many other substances,
+artificially or naturally prepared; such as paper, for instance, immersed
+in a solution of bichromate of potash, or upon vegetation, whose green
+color is probably the result of this action, (as is obvious from the fact
+that plants growing in the dark are destitute of color.) Indeed, a large
+part of the changes of color in nature depend upon these invisible rays.
+
+It seems, then, that this photographic influence pervades all nature; nor
+can we say where it stops. We do not know but it may imprint upon the
+world around us our features, as they are modified by various passions,
+and thus fill nature with daguerreotype impressions of all our actions
+that are performed in daylight. It may be, too, that there are tests by
+which nature, more skilfully than any human photographist, can bring out
+and fix those portraits, so that acuter senses than ours shall see them,
+as on a great canvas, spread over the material universe. Perhaps, too,
+they may never fade from that canvas, but become specimens in the great
+picture gallery of eternity.
+
+The thought may perhaps cross some mind, that, though those human actions
+which are performed in sunlight may be imprinted upon the universe, yet no
+deed of darkness can thus reveal its author, and remain an eternal stigma
+upon his name. But there is another phase to this subject. What is the
+evidence that the chemical rays of a sunbeam are rays of light? We know
+that they are unequally diffused through the spectrum, being most
+energetic at its violet extremity; but there is no proof that they are
+visible. They may, like heat, exert their appropriate influence, which
+seems to be mainly that of deoxidation, and yet not be colorific. If so,
+we might expect them to operate in the dark; and experiment proves that
+they do. An engraving on paper, placed between an iodized silver plate and
+an amalgamated copper plate, was left in the dark for fifteen hours. On
+exposing the amalgamated plate to the vapor of mercury, "a very nice
+impression of the engraving was brought out--it having been effected
+through the thickness of the paper."--Mr. Hunt, _"On the Changes which
+Bodies are capable of undergoing in Darkness," Phil. Mag._ vol. xxii. p.
+277.--Many like experiments prove the existence; among bodies, of a power
+analogous to, if not identical with, that which accompanies light, and is
+the basis of the photographic process. Some philosophers do not regard
+them as identical. But this is of little consequence in my present
+argument. For all agree that there is a power in nature capable of
+impressing the outlines of some objects upon others in total darkness.
+
+In respect to such cases, there are one or two facts deserving of special
+notice. And, first. We must not infer, because man has yet been able to
+bring out to human view but a few examples of this sort, that they are,
+therefore, few in nature. Rather should the discovery of a few lead to the
+conclusion that nature may be full of them, and that a more delicate and
+refined chemistry may yet disclose them. For the few known cases give us a
+glimpse of a recondite law of nature, which most likely pervades creation.
+Some regard these dark rays as neither light, nor heat, nor chemical rays,
+but a new element; but, whatever its nature, no reason can be given why it
+should operate only in a few cases, and those of artificial preparation.
+More probably, through this influence, all bodies brought into contact, or
+proximity, impress their images upon one another; and the time may come,
+when, touched by a more subtile chemistry than man now wields, these
+images shall take a place among obvious and permanent things in the
+universe, to the honor and glory of some, but to the amazement and
+everlasting contempt of more.
+
+Of more, I say; for wickedness has oftener sought the concealment of
+darkness than modest virtue. The foulest enormities of human conduct have
+always striven to cover themselves with the shroud of night. The thief,
+the counterfeiter, the assassin, the robber, the murderer, and the
+seducer, feel comparatively safe in the midnight darkness, because no
+human eye can scrutinize their actions. But what if it should turn out
+that sable night, to speak paradoxically, is an unerring photographist!
+What if wicked men, as they open their eyes from the sleep of death, in
+another world, should find the universe hung round with faithful pictures
+of their earthly enormities, which they had supposed forever lost in the
+oblivion of night! What scenes for them to gaze at forever! They may now,
+indeed, smile incredulously at such a suggestion; but the disclosures of
+chemistry may well make them tremble. Analogy does make it a scientific
+probability that every action of man, however deep the darkness in which
+it was performed, has imprinted its image upon nature, and that there may
+be tests which shall draw it into daylight, and make it permanent so long
+as materialism endures.
+
+There is another chemical principle, called _catalysis_, through which
+human actions may make powerful and permanent impressions on the universe,
+and that, too, unperceived by man. In some cases, the mere presence of a
+certain agent, in a small quantity, will produce extensive changes of
+constitution in other bodies, while the agent itself remains unaltered.
+Thus a strip of platinum will determine the union of oxygen and hydrogen
+in the platinum lamp; and sulphuric acid, in a solution of starch, will
+change it first into gum, and then into sugar; while neither the platinum
+nor the acid experiences any change. These are called _catalytic_ changes.
+More often, however, the catalytic agent is itself in the process of
+change, and it produces an analogous change in other bodies. A familiar
+example is yeast, or ferment. This substance contains a principle called
+_diastase_, one part of which is capable of converting two thousand parts
+of starch into sugar; and this is what is done in the familiar process of
+fermentation, when we always see verified the scriptural declaration, _A
+little leaven leaveneth the whole lump._
+
+The precise manner in which the diastase operates in these cases we may
+not be able to explain. The particles of the diastase, being themselves in
+motion, possess the power of putting in motion the particles of other
+bodies; and these, again, operate upon others, and so on, often to an
+astonishing extent. In the case of the platinum and the acid, however, no
+change takes place in their molecules, and we can only state it, as an
+unexplained fact, that they do produce changes in other bodies.
+
+We have other examples of catalytic influences in nature, exhibiting an
+agency still more subtile and energetic. I refer to contagious and
+epidemic diseases in animals and plants. An influence goes abroad, and
+seems to be propagated through the atmosphere, traversing whole
+continents, and crossing wide oceans, powerful and deadly in its effects,
+yet inappreciable by the most delicate mechanical or chemical tests. But
+the phenomena admit of explanation by supposing a movement, either in the
+particles of the atmosphere, or of the still more subtile and elastic
+medium that pervades all space; a movement started at a particular spot,
+as the cholera in India, and the small-pox or some epidemic from some
+focus, and communicating an unhealthy movement from atom to atom, till it
+has encircled the earth and mowed down its hecatombs.
+
+Now, when we look at such facts, who can suppose it improbable that man,
+who can hardly lift a finger without producing some chemical change,
+should start some of these movements, that may reach far beyond his
+imagination? And here, as in the cases that have preceded, we must not
+estimate the actual change in the constitution of bodies by the apparent;
+for we know that multitudes of such changes are passing within us and
+around us, without our cognizance; and yet there may be chemical eyes in
+the universe quick enough to see them all, and to follow them onward to
+the final result; for there must be a final resultant of all such forces;
+nor can we doubt that, some time or other, and to some beings, if not to
+ourselves, it will be manifest. Here, then, is another mode in which a
+chemical influence may go forth from us, reaching the utmost limits of
+matter and of time; nay, perhaps extending into eternity, and revealing
+our actions to the finer sensibilities of exalted beings.
+
+_I derive my sixth argument in support of the general principle from
+organic reaction._
+
+Few persons, save the zoologist and comparative anatomist, have any idea
+of the great nicety and delicacy of the relations that exist between all
+the species of animals and plants, so that what affects one affects all
+the rest. Perhaps the subject may be illustrated by supposing all the
+species of organic beings to be distributed at different distances through
+a hollow sphere, while between them all there is a mutual repulsion, and
+the whole are retained in the form of a sphere by an attracting force
+directed to the centre. By such an arrangement, if one species be taken
+out of the sphere, or its repellency become stronger or weaker, the
+relative position of all the rest would be altered. No matter how many
+millions of species there are, the movements of one will cause a reaction
+among all the rest.
+
+Now, this illustration, although an approximation, falls short of
+representing the actual state of things in nature. It is no exaggeration
+to say that a relation similar to the supposed one exists throughout the
+vast dominions of animate beings; so that you cannot obliterate or change
+one species without affecting all the rest. Often the change is effected
+so slowly and indirectly that the beings experiencing it are unconscious
+of it; or they may realize some slight disturbance of the balance in
+organic nature, and yet be unconscious of the cause. By the illustration
+above given, when one or more species is removed from the supposed sphere,
+or its repellent force weakened or strengthened, although an influence
+will reach all the other species, yet a new equilibrium will soon be
+established, and no permanently bad effects seem to follow. But not so in
+nature. There the balance originally fixed between different beings by
+infinite wisdom is the best possible; and every change, not intended by
+Providence, must be for the worse. It was intended, for instance, that man
+should subdue forests and extirpate noxious plants, as well as ferocious
+and noxious animals; and, therefore, such a change operates to his
+advantage, but to the injury of the inferior animals. Yet often he pushes
+this exterminating process so far as to injure himself also. Thus the
+farmer wages a relentless war against certain birds, because of some
+slight evils which they occasion. But when they are extirpated,
+opportunity is given for noxious insects to multiply, and to bring upon
+the farmer evils much greater than those he thus escapes.
+
+To prevent an excessive multiplication of some species is one of the grand
+objects of the present balance established among the whole. Such an
+increase is an inevitable effect of the extinction of a species, and it
+often occasions great mischief. The carnivorous species, especially, were
+intended to act as nature's police, to prevent a too great increase of the
+herbivorous races, which are rendered excessively fruitful to keep the
+world full. If, then, a carnivorous species become extinct, the species on
+which it has fed will so multiply as to prove great nuisances, and to
+produce wide disorder among many species, not only of animals, but of
+plants. And often has man, in this way, by the extermination of species,
+in particular districts, unwittingly brought a powerful reaction on
+himself.
+
+On the Island of New Zealand, within one or two hundred years past, eight
+or ten species of gigantic birds--the dinornis and palapteryx--have become
+extinct, probably through the persecution of man. The natives, without
+doubt, hunted them down for food, until all disappeared: and as no
+quadruped of much size inhabits the island, we think there is no little
+plausibility in the suggestion of Professor Owen, that when the birds were
+all gone, or nearly gone, the natives were tempted to the practice of
+cannibalism, as the only means of gratifying their passion for meat. What
+a terrible retribution for disturbing the equilibrium of organic nature!
+
+The records of zoology and botany afford endless illustration of this
+subject. But the great truth which they all teach is, that so intimately
+are we related to other beings, that almost every action of ours reacts
+upon them for good or evil; for good, upon the whole, when we conform to
+the laws which God has established; and for evil, when by their violation
+we disturb the equilibrium of organized nature, and produce irregular
+action. In this latter case, we cannot tell where the disturbance, thus
+introduced, will end; for it is not a periodical oscillation, like the
+perturbations of the heavenly bodies, nor a mere change of position and
+intensity by mechanical forces.
+
+But does not this law of mutual influence between organic beings extend to
+other worlds? Why should it not be transmitted by means of the
+luminiferous ether to the limits of the universe? Who knows but a blow
+struck upon a single link of organic beings here may be felt through the
+whole circle of animate existence in all worlds? That is a narrow view of
+God's work, which isolates the organic races on this globe from the rest
+of the universe. The more philosophical view throws the golden chain of
+influence around the whole animal creation, whether small or great, near
+or remote.
+
+Reverting to the reasoning which we employed in tracing out the extent of
+mechanical reaction, we shall see that organic reaction may extend not
+only to other worlds, but also into eternity. For if the matter of the
+universe is to survive the conflagration of the last day, the future
+economy of life must have some connection with the present, whether this
+earth or some other part of the universe be the theatre of its
+development.
+
+I speak here not of moral influences, which we know will pass over from
+time into eternity, but of a physical reaction, which may also reach
+beyond the same gulf. For at least a part of those creatures, who in this
+world have felt the modifying power of other beings, will survive the
+world's final catastrophe, and occupy material, though spiritual bodies,
+whose germ is represented as derived from their bodies on earth. We have
+reason, then, to suppose some connection and modifying influence between
+them. And we might show, also, that moral causes, which so affect the
+physical character here, may exert a like power in eternity. But time will
+not permit the argument to be followed out.
+
+The conclusion, then, from this argument also, is, that probably every
+action of ours on earth modifies the condition and destiny of every other
+created being in this and other worlds through time and eternity. What
+though human experience, dependent on the bluntness of mortal
+sensibilities, cannot demonstrate such an influence? Shall the gross
+perceptions of this disordered world be made the standard of all that
+exists? Rather let us listen to the suggestions of science, which tell us
+of the possibility of senses far more acute in other worlds, and in a
+future state of being--senses that can trace out and feel the vibrations
+of the delicate web of organic influence that binds together the great and
+the small, the past, the present, and the future, throughout the universe.
+
+_My seventh argument in support of the general principle depends upon
+mental reaction._
+
+Mental reaction operates in two ways--indirectly and directly; indirectly
+through matter, directly by the influence of mind upon mind, without an
+intervening medium. When describing electric reactions, I have shown how
+our thoughts and volitions change the electric, chemical, and even
+mechanical condition of the body, and, through these media, that of all
+the material universe; and I need not repeat that argument. But to modify
+the inanimate world through these agencies necessarily affects all other
+intellects, which are connected with matter; and since man in a future
+world is to assume a spiritual body, we may reasonably suppose that all
+created beings are in some way connected with matter; and, therefore, by
+means of materialism, through the subtile agencies that have been named,
+we may be sure that an influence goes out from every thought and volition
+of ours, and reaches every other intellect in the wide creation. I know
+not whether, in other worlds, their inhabitants possess sensibilities
+acute enough to be conscious of this influence; certainly, in this world,
+it is only to a limited extent that men are conscious of it. Yet we must
+admit that it exists and acts, or deny the demonstrated verities of
+science.
+
+But is there not evidence that mind sometimes acts directly upon other
+minds, without any gross, intervening media? It may, indeed, be doubted
+whether any created intellect operates, except in connection with some
+form of matter. Yet there are certain facts in the history of individuals
+in an abnormal state, which show that one mind acts upon another,
+independent of the senses, or any other material means or
+intercommunication discoverable by the senses. Take the details of
+sleep-waking, or somnambulism; and do not they present us with numerous
+cases in which impressions are made by one mind upon another, even when
+separated beyond the sphere of the senses? Take the facts respecting
+double consciousness, and those where the power was possessed of reading
+the thoughts, of others, or the facts relating to prevision; and surely
+they cannot be explained but by the supposition of a direct influence of
+one mind upon another.
+
+Still more decided in this respect are the most familiar facts of
+artificial somnambulism, called mesmerism. Whatever may be our views of
+this unsettled branch of knowledge as a whole, it would seem as if we
+could not doubt that its facts prove the action of mind upon mind,
+independently of bodily organization, without rejecting evidence which
+would prove any thing else.
+
+Now, if we admit that mind does operate upon other minds while we are in
+the body, independent of the body, can we tell how far the influence
+extends? If electricity, or some other subtile agent, be essential to this
+action, it would indeed transfer this example to electric reaction, but it
+would still be real. Yet, in the absence of all certain proof of the
+electric power in this case, and with certain proof of the existence of
+such an influence, we may place it among those marvellous means by which
+man makes an impression, wide beyond our present knowledge, upon the
+universe, material and mental; and it ought to make us feel that our
+lightest thoughts and feeblest volitions may reach the outer limit of
+intellectual life, and its consequences meet us in distant worlds, and far
+down the track of eternity.
+
+_Finally. I derive an argument in support of the general principle from
+geological reaction._
+
+By this expression, I mean those reactions of whose existence geology
+furnishes the proof. They are, in fact, the reactions already considered;
+but geology proves that they have actually operated in past time in many
+instances, by evidence registered on the rocks, and thus tends to confirm
+our reasoning derived from other sources. I do not mean that the proof is
+before us of precisely such an action as our reasoning has supposed, but
+so analogous to that supposed as to lend it confirmation. A few examples
+will illustrate the argument.
+
+The effects of mechanical reaction are, perhaps, most frequent and
+striking in the rocks, especially those deposited from water. Here we
+have, for instance, the _ripple marks_, which present us with a faithful
+register of the slightest movement of the waters, and also of the motions
+of the atmosphere, or of the currents in it, that agitated the waters. In
+the almost impalpable powder that sometimes constitutes the rocks, we can
+trace the slightest erosion and comminution of the strata from which the
+deposit was worn. In the petrified rain drops we find an indelible trace
+of the most gentle shower. And here, too, we can see the direction of the
+wind. Such facts, also, imply the operation of electricity and gravity, of
+heat and cold, collecting and condensing the rain, and bringing it down;
+and so similar to present meteorological phenomena do these ancient
+showers appear to have been, that we may conclude that electrical
+reactions, in all respects, were the same as at present.
+
+The preservation of the tracks of numerous animals in some of the
+sandstones shows us how deep and permanent an impression the most trivial
+action of a living being may make. In these footmarks we sometimes notice
+a change in the direction of the animal along the surface; and, of course,
+an impression deeper or more shallow than usual, of parts of the foot, by
+the action of the muscles employed in changing the animal's course. Here,
+then, we have the register of so slight an action as an increased or
+diminished action of a particular muscle of the leg. Nay, further, such a
+movement affords us an infallible register of an act of the animal's will,
+since that must have preceded the change; and that implies an electric
+current, first inward along the sensor nerves, and then outward along the
+motor nerves.
+
+Geology lays open before us a map of the changes in organic nature from
+the apparent commencement of life on the globe, and thus enables us to see
+examples of this kind of reaction. We find different economies of life to
+have appeared, but all of them most wisely adapted to existing
+circumstances. In each economy we perceive the balance between the
+different tribes provided for. If, for instance, one race of carnivorous
+species died out, new races were created to occupy their place, so that
+the herbivorous species should not overrun the globe. Thus, when the early
+sauroid fishes diminished, the gigantic and carnivorous marine saurian
+reptiles were introduced. And when the chambered shells, whose occupants
+were carnivorous, disappeared with the secondary period, numerous univalve
+mollusks were created to feed on other animals; although previously that
+family were herbivorous. It would seem, however, as if each successive
+economy of organic life had contained within itself the seeds of
+extinction. It was, indeed, mainly a change of climate which first caused
+some species to disappear. But their destruction so disturbed the balance
+of creation that others followed, until total extinction was the result,
+which, however, was often hastened by catastrophes.
+
+Thus we have in the stony volume of the earth's history actual examples of
+effects resulting from the acts, and even volitions, of the inferior
+animals, which can never be erased while the rocks endure.
+
+If, therefore, with our imperfect senses, we can see these results so
+distinctly, we may safely infer that human conduct, and thought, and
+volition impress upon the globe, nay, upon the universe, marks which
+nothing can obliterate.
+
+The thoughts which press upon the mind, in view of such a conclusion, are
+numerous and interesting. A few we can hardly help noticing.
+
+_In the first place, what a centre of influence does man occupy!_
+
+It is just as if the universe were a tremulous mass of jelly which every
+movement of his made to vibrate from the centre to the circumference. It
+is as if the universe were one vast picture gallery, in some part of which
+the entire history of this world, and of each individual, is shown on
+canvas, sketched by countless artists, with unerring skill. It is as if
+each man had his foot upon the point where ten thousand telegraphic wires
+meet from every part of the universe, and he were able, with each
+volition, to send abroad an influence along these wires, so as to reach
+every created being in heaven and in earth. It is as if we had the more
+than Gorgon power of transmuting every object around us into forms
+beautiful or hideous, and of sending that transmuting process forward
+through time and through eternity. It is as if we were linked to every
+created being by a golden chain, and every pulsation of our heart or
+movement of our mind modified the pulsation of every other heart and the
+movements of every other intellect. Wonderful, wonderful is the position
+man occupies, and the part he acts! And yet it is not a dream, but the
+deliberate conclusion of true science.
+
+_Secondly. We see in this subject the probability that our minutest
+actions, and perhaps our thoughts, from day to day, are known throughout
+the universe._
+
+I speak not here of the divine omniscience, which we know reaches every
+thought and action; but I refer to created beings. Science shows us how,
+in a variety of modes, such knowledge may be conveyed to them by natural
+agencies; and we have only to suppose them to be possessed of far more
+acute sensibilities than man's, in order to be affected by these agencies
+as we are by more powerful impressions. And when we consider how fettered
+and depressed a condition this world obviously is in, because of its
+sinfulness, who will doubt but the unfallen beings of other spheres may
+enjoy those keener perceptions that will bring our whole history
+distinctly before them, day by day? The thought is, indeed, startling, but
+not unphilosophical.
+
+If this suggestion be true, then may we indulge the thought as highly
+probable that our friends, who have gone before us into the eternal world,
+may be as familiar with our conduct, our words, and even our thoughts, as
+we are ourselves. If we are acting as we ought, and so as will please
+them, this must be an animating idea; but if we are not, let it serve to
+stimulate us to our duty, if a sense of the divine omniscience is not
+sufficient.
+
+_We infer from this subject, thirdly, the probability that, in a future
+state, the power of reading the past history of the world, and of
+individuals, may be possessed by man._
+
+The nature of the future spiritual body, and of the heavenly state and
+employments, impresses the mind with the belief that it will be a
+condition far more exalted than the present, and that the inlets to the
+soul will be cleared of all obstructions; so that no impression made on
+such a sensorium shall fail to give the mind a distinct perception. In
+heaven, such extreme sensibility might become a source of richest
+pleasure; in the world of despair, an instrument of severe punishment; yet
+in both cases it might be the natural result of a man's earthly course.
+Now, such an indefinite exaltation of the perceptions in futurity scarcely
+any one will doubt. Why should we doubt any more that it may rise so high
+that man will be able to read, through the agencies we have pointed out,
+the minutest action and thought in human experience? If, as we have reason
+to suppose, angels can do it now, the Bible informs us that we shall be
+like the angels.
+
+If this view be admitted, then it may be that the present world is the
+only spot in the universe where deeds of wickedness can be concealed. In a
+sinful world we can see reasons why the power of concealment should exist
+to some extent. For though no man should do or think any thing which he is
+ashamed to have known, yet, if all the plans of men for the promotion of
+good objects were fully known from their inception, the wicked could
+generally defeat them. But in a world of perfect holiness no such
+necessity would exist, since the universal desire would be to promote
+every worthy object; and, therefore, it may be that every soul will lie
+perfectly open to the inspection of all other souls--an arrangement that
+seems appropriate to such a world.
+
+In what an aspect does this principle present the conduct of the suicide!
+Tired of earthly scenes, he rushes unbidden into eternity to escape them.
+But instead of escaping them, he goes where every one of these mortal
+evils--yea, and multiplied, too, a thousand fold--shall start up in his
+path with a distinctness of which he had no conception. And henceforth he
+can never find, as in this world, even a partial deliverance from their
+terrible vividness. It is as if, to avoid the moonlight, because too
+bright, a man should plunge into the sun.
+
+Again, if this principle be true, how annoying will it be, to the man who
+has not acted well his part in this world, to meet in eternity the
+ever-recurring mementoes of his evil deeds! He will hardly be able to open
+his eyes without seeing some plague-spot on creation as the result of his
+conduct; and although infinite wisdom and power have stayed the plague, no
+thanks are due to him. The tendencies of his conduct on earth will be
+most distressing to look upon; and these shall not cease to lie open
+before him till the last sand in the glass of eternity is run out.
+
+But, on the other hand, how does this principle strew the path of eternity
+with flowers to that man who, in this world, finds his highest pleasure in
+doing good! Not merely his highest and noblest deeds of benevolence here
+shall loom up in bright perspective there, but a thousand acts of private
+beneficence, unknown to the world and forgotten by himself, shall stand
+out distinctly on the moving panorama of that better world; and he will be
+amazed to see what a wide and blessed influence they have exerted, and
+will exert, as the catalytic influence moves on and widens in its endless
+march. It might have ruined him to see these fruits in this world, by
+exciting pride and vain glory; but it will awaken there only gratitude and
+love to the grace that enabled him thus, in time, to sow the seeds which
+should fill eternity with flowers, and fragrance, and golden fruit.
+
+_Finally. What new and astonishing avenues of knowledge_ does this subject
+show us will probably open upon the soul in eternity!
+
+I do not now speak of the new knowledge of the divine character which will
+then astonish and delight the soul by direct intuition, but rather of
+those new channels that will be thrown open, through which a knowledge of
+other worlds, and of other created beings, can be conveyed to the soul
+almost illimitably. And just consider what a field that will be. At
+present we know nothing of the inhabitants of other worlds, and it is only
+by analogy that we make their existence probable. Nor, with our present
+senses, could we learn any thing respecting them but by an actual visit to
+each world. But let the suggestions to which our reasonings have
+conducted us prove true,--let our sensorium be so modified and
+spiritualized that every thought, word, and action in those worlds shall
+come to us through pulsations falling upon the organ of vision, or by an
+electric current through the nerve of sensation, or by some transmitted
+chemical change,--and on what vantage ground should we be placed! Without
+leaving the spot of our residence, supposing the universe constituted as
+it now is, we might study out the character and constitution of the
+countless inhabitants of at least one hundred millions of worlds, which we
+know to exist; nay, of ten thousand times that number, which probably
+exist. Every movement of matter around us, however infinitesimal, would be
+freighted with new knowledge, perhaps from distant spheres. Every ray of
+light that met our gaze from the broad heavens above us would print an
+image upon our visual organs of events transpiring in distant worlds,
+while every electrical flash might convey some idea to our mind never
+before thought of. Every chemical ray, too, might inform us of scenes far
+off in the regions of night; and then who can calculate what organic and
+mental influences might be transmitted to us from beings of all ranks and
+scattered through all worlds? To speak of organs, indeed, as the medium of
+perceptions in another world, may be absurd; but we mean only, by that
+term, whatever may be substituted for our present organs; and we assume
+that the properties of matter will exist forever; and, therefore, we may
+presume that light, and electricity, and chemical affinity, and corporeal
+and mental influences will, under modified forms, be the modes by which
+knowledge shall ever be transmitted. At least, assuming that they will be,
+and the magnificent conceptions we have now traced out may be hereafter
+realized. And surely, if they be only slightly probable, the anticipation
+is full of thrilling interest, and the moral effect of dwelling upon it
+must be salutary. It spreads out before us fields of knowledge which
+eternity can never exhaust, and attractive so immeasurably above all the
+knowledge of earth that we almost wait impatiently for the summons to
+break from our prison-house below, and to rise on our new pinions to
+celestial scenes.
+
+If such rich means of knowledge of created things be enjoyed by celestial
+minds, and they can drink it in to the full measure of their faculties,
+then one inevitable effect must be to make them unite, ever and anon, in
+adoration and praise to the infinite Being who created and sustains all,
+and whose glory is illustrated by all his works. And we can conceive that
+there may be stated periods, when, from every part of the universe, the
+anthem of praise comes rolling onwards towards some central spot, where
+the divine presence is most felt. O, how gladly will each happy soul,
+animated by every new accession of knowledge, join in the swelling paean as
+it mounts up to the third heavens! Who knows but this is the hour when the
+peal is beginning? O, let not this world be the only spot in the universe
+where it shall be unheard and unheeded. Surely we see enough of the divine
+glory here to begin the song, which we hope to pour forth in loftier notes
+on high, _unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God;
+to whom be honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen._
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XIII.
+
+THE VAST PLANS OF JEHOVAH.
+
+
+It is interesting and instructive to trace the history of man's progress
+in the knowledge of the existence, character, and plans of Jehovah. We
+shall find that progress to have been marked by epochs, rather than
+continuous advancement. Some new revelation from heaven, or some new
+discovery in science, has given a sudden expansion to his views of the
+Deity, which have then remained in a good degree stationary for a long
+period. My chief object in this lecture is to show what accessions to our
+knowledge of the divine plans have been derived from science, especially
+from geology. But it will give greater distinctness and impressiveness to
+the subject to take a review of the principal steps by which the human
+mind has reached its present accurate spiritual and enlarged views of the
+Deity.
+
+_We will first look at man in the rudest condition in society, in which he
+has any idea of the existence of beings superior to himself._
+
+For there is a state of his being in which no such ideas exist in his
+mind; tribes of men, and especially individuals, who have lived in a wild
+state, away from all human intercourse, have been found with no idea of a
+superior being of any sort. Other tribes have existed a little more
+elevated above the irrational animals, and these have an impression,
+derived perhaps from their moral sense, or growing out of their
+superstitious fears, that some power exists in the universe greater than
+themselves. But having never entertained an abstract idea on any other
+subject, and depending alone upon their senses for their knowledge, they
+identify God with the most remarkable objects of nature. They listen to
+his voice in the wind and the thunder, in the ocean's roar, and the
+volcano's bellowing; and they see him in the sun, moon, and stars. They
+feel that he must be superior to themselves; but how much superior, they
+know not. They never think of him as infinite, because the idea of
+infinity on any subject never enters their mind. They conceive of the
+earth only as a plain of considerable extent, bounded by a circle, beyond
+which their thoughts never wander; and they look up to the heavens as a
+dome, perhaps solid, studded by luminous bodies, it may be a few feet or
+yards in diameter. They suppose that, somehow or other, this superior
+Being has the control of their destinies; but the idea of any thing like
+worship is too spiritual to be conceived of, except, perhaps, some
+superstitious rite, performed to deprecate the divine displeasure. In
+short, every thing in their notion of God is indefinite, gross, and
+confined to the narrow sphere of the senses.
+
+_In the second place, polytheism, especially among nations somewhat
+civilized, is an advance in man's conceptions of the Supreme Being._
+
+Polytheism probably originated in the deification of distinguished men.
+Superior minds, who had been the leaders or the benefactors of mankind,
+were suddenly torn from an admiring world by death. Their bodies were left
+behind, but the animating principle, the immortal mind, had vanished in a
+moment; and it was a most natural inquiry, even among the most ignorant,
+whether some undying principle had not escaped and gone to a higher
+sphere; for it would be difficult to conceive how so much intelligence
+and virtue should be quenched in a moment in eternal night. It would be a
+most natural and gratifying conclusion with survivors, that their departed
+leaders and benefactors still lived, and were in some way concerned in
+watching over their interests, and in controlling their destinies.
+Conjectures of this sort would, in a few generations, settle into positive
+belief. Now, this would be a most important advance upon the gross
+materialism, and indefinite ideas, which identified divinity with striking
+objects of nature; for if distinguished warriors and statesmen were still
+alive after their bodies were laid in the grave, there must have escaped,
+at the moment of death, some principle too subtile to be cognizable by the
+senses, or by chemical, mechanical, or electrical agencies; and which,
+therefore, may have been immaterial. At least, by such a belief, men would
+be led insensibly to form an idea of the human soul as an extremely
+tenuous, if not immaterial, principle. Especially would educated
+men--those devoted to philosophical pursuits--come at length to have a
+clear conception of a spiritual being, neither visible by the senses, nor
+dependent upon the senses for the exercise of its faculties. Very soon
+would the imagination fill the universe with such beings, and conceive
+them as holding intercourse with one another, and as presiding over all
+the objects of this lower world, and directing all its destinies. It would
+be very natural, however, to endow these superior beings with human
+characteristics, and to suppose them actuated by human passions; and thus
+would the celestial society be represented as a counterpart of that on
+earth, deformed by the same vices and crimes. This would lead to the idea
+of a gradation in rank, power, and intellect among the gods, and to the
+conception of one as supreme. In the popular mythology, however, even
+Jupiter was represented as acting under the influence of selfishness,
+pride, lust, and passion; and as sometimes brought into peril by his
+powerful inferiors. Some of the philosophers of Greece and Rome did,
+indeed, give descriptions of their supreme divinity not unworthy the
+biblical views of Jehovah. It may be that they got the clew to these just
+and elevated conceptions from the Bible. But it is not difficult to
+conceive that, in the manner which I have described, they might, by
+reasoning, with, perhaps, some hints derived from revelation, have
+gradually attained to these just and noble conceptions of the supreme
+divinity. Yet it ought not to be forgotten that these exalted views of the
+philosophers were not shared at all by the common people, and that even
+the philosophers themselves were for the most part polytheists.
+
+The next step in man's knowledge of God was an immeasurable advance upon
+polytheism. _I refer to the revelation which God made of himself to the
+Jews in the Old Testament._ Most of this revelation did, indeed, precede
+the writings of the Greek and Roman philosophers, but it was confined to a
+rude and almost unknown people, until the days of their glory had gone by,
+and did not spread over the globe till an opportunity had been afforded to
+prove that _the world by wisdom knew not God_. You may, indeed, find, in
+the writings of a few philosophers, passages descriptive of the natural
+attributes of the Deity that will compare favorably with those of the Old
+Testament. But his moral attributes, his benevolence, mercy, justice, and
+holiness, are brought out in the Old Testament in a far more distinct and
+impressive manner than in all other ancient writings. Another point, and a
+vital one, with the writers of the Old Testament, in which that inspired
+volume goes infinitely beyond the philosophers, is the unity of God. They
+teach, as a fundamental principle, and with all the earnestness which
+inspiration can bestow, not only that Jehovah is supreme, but that he is
+God alone, and that no other gods exist. You may, indeed, find statements
+to this effect in the works of the philosophers; but the conduct of
+Socrates, the most enlightened of them all,--in his dying moments,--in
+directing a sacrifice to be made to AEsculapius, is a good practical
+commentary upon their doctrine of the divine unity. It shows that, with
+some correct notions of the supreme divinity, they believed in the
+existence of inferior deities; or, at least, they did not regard the
+popular error on this subject of importance enough to require them boldly
+to testify against it. But such testimony constitutes the burden of the
+Old Testament, as if all other religious truths were of little importance
+without it. And so far as these inspired books succeeded in fixing this
+doctrine in the minds of the Jews, they performed an immense service for
+religion. They swept at once from the universe the thirty thousand
+divinities of Greece and Rome, and placed Jehovah only on the throne. But,
+for some reason or other, polytheism has always been a doctrine most
+congenial to human nature; especially to the uncultivated mind; and the
+probability is, that the great mass of the Jews, while they believed in
+the supremacy of Jehovah, still supposed that the gods of the heathen had
+a real existence. This certainly was the case before the Babylonish exile,
+though doubtless the patriarchs had more correct notions. This fact
+explains the otherwise unaccountable disposition of the Jews to fall away
+to idolatry, in spite of all which Jehovah did to preserve among them his
+true worship.
+
+On the subject, also, of the divine spirituality, we have evidence that
+the notions of the great mass of the Jewish nation were low and confused.
+They distinguished, it is true, very clearly between the body and the
+soul. But they probably conceived of the latter as a very subtile,
+invisible, corporeal essence, and not that pure, immaterial substance
+which is understood by that term in metaphysics. The abstract ideas
+attached to the soul in the nineteenth century probably never entered
+their minds; and though in strict language they might be called
+materialists, they were by no means such materialists as modern times have
+produced, who understandingly deny the existence of the soul, and regard
+it as a function of the brain. The Jews thought of God as the most subtile
+essence of which they could form any idea; but whether he were material,
+or immaterial, probably they never inquired. And it cannot escape the
+notice of a reader of the Old Testament how frequently God is represented
+by figures derived from material objects. This was in accommodation to the
+rude and uncultivated state of most minds in those early days. Purely
+abstract truths would have conveyed no ideas to minds which had never been
+accustomed to abstractions. Hence it is, that we meet in the Bible with so
+many descriptions of the Deity, which theologians and philosophers
+denominate _anthropopathic_ and _anthropomorphic_. It was in accommodation
+to the uncultivated state of common minds, which could form no conceptions
+of God that were not founded on some property belonging to man. The
+language of the sacred writers does, indeed, when correctly interpreted,
+convey the idea of the most perfectly simple, spiritual, and immaterial
+substance as constituting the divine essence; and minds accustomed to
+abstract ideas find no difficulty in enucleating the spiritual meaning of
+Scripture. But had the divine Being been described by abstract terms, the
+great mass of men, even at the present day, would receive no impressive
+conception of the Godhead. God, therefore, in the Old Testament, revealed
+as much concerning himself and his plans, as men would understand. But
+other revelations and developments would follow, when the human mind
+should be prepared to receive and appreciate them.
+
+_The revelations of Christianity have brought to light so much respecting
+the moral character and moral government of Jehovah, as to leave little
+further to be desired or expected in this world._
+
+The natural attributes of the Deity have a more spiritual and less
+anthropopathic aspect in the New Testament than in the Old. We are told in
+the former distinctly, that _God is a spirit, and those who worship him
+must worship him in spirit and in truth_. But God's moral character, as
+developed in the New Testament, in the plan of redemption and salvation,
+presents us with a perfection and a glory unknown in all previous
+revelations. We have, it is true, in the Old Testament intimations and
+predictions of the plan, which is fully developed and exemplified in the
+new dispensation. But these were only shadows of Jesus Christ and him
+crucified. When he appeared, and by his sufferings, as a substitute for
+man, reconciled divine justice and mercy, and made a clear exposition of
+the moral law, and a disclosure of a future state of retributions, a flood
+of light was thrown upon God's moral character. Every cloud that had
+rested upon it was cleared away, and immaculate holiness covered it with
+unapproachable splendor. In short, the human mind is incapable of forming
+a more correct estimate of moral excellence than is exhibited in the
+scriptural plan of salvation. The more it is meditated upon, and the more
+we experience its practical influence, the higher will be our conceptions
+of the moral glory of the divine character; nor have we reason to suppose
+that any further revelations would increase our apprehensions of it. For
+benevolence, mercy, justice, and grace are here exhibited in unlimited,
+that is, in infinite, glory and perfection, and therefore can never be
+exceeded.
+
+But though the exhibitions of the divine character and plans contained in
+the Bible are thus perfect and excellent, they are not the only
+exhibitions which the universe contains, and which man is capable of
+understanding. _Lo, these are a part of his ways._ The Bible has left the
+wonders of the natural world where it found them, to be examined and
+developed by philosophy. Some have thought that it has anticipated a few
+scientific discoveries; but if it had done this in one instance, it must
+have carried the same plan through the whole circle of science; else how
+could readers determine when the sacred writers were describing phenomena
+according to appearances and general belief, and when according to real
+scientific truth? But the fact is, scientific discoveries are left to
+man's ingenuity; and as they are made from time to time, they bring out
+new and splendid illustrations of the character and plans of Jehovah. Let
+us now recur to some of these discoveries, that have opened the widest
+vistas into the arcana of nature.
+
+_The discoveries in modern astronomy constitute the fifth step in man's
+knowledge of God._
+
+In order to see how much man's conceptions of the universe have been
+enlarged by these discoveries, compare the opinions which prevailed before
+the introduction of the Copernican system with what is now certain
+knowledge, founded upon physico-mathematics, respecting the extent of the
+universe. Then this earth was thought to be the centre and the principal
+body of the creation, immovably fixed, with the heavenly bodies, generally
+thought to be of diminutive size, revolving around it every twenty-four
+hours. The earth, too, except in the opinion of a few sagacious
+philosophers, was not imagined to be that vast globe which we now
+understand it to be, but a flat surface, perhaps a few hundred or
+thousand miles in extent, bounded by a circle, and resting on an imaginary
+foundation. The heavenly bodies were looked upon as little more than
+shining points, or at most a few yards, or by the most daring fancies a
+few miles, in extent. What a change have the telescope, the quadrant, and
+the transit instrument, aided by profound mathematics, and the talismanic
+power of the Newtonian theory of gravitation, produced! Every schoolboy
+now knows that this globe, enormous though it be compared with what the
+eye can take in from the loftiest eminence, is but a mere speck in
+creation, and, with the exception of the moon, appearing from other worlds
+only as one of the smallest stars in their heavens; so small that its
+extinction would not be noticed. To the ignorant mind, distances and
+magnitudes exceeding a hundred miles are conceived of only with great
+difficulty. But the astronomer, when he conceives of magnitudes, must make
+a thousand miles his shortest unit, and a million of miles when he
+conceives of distances in the solar system. And when he attempts to go
+beyond the sun and the planets, the shortest division on his measuring
+line must be the diameter of the earth's orbit; and even then he will be
+borne onward so far, not on the wings of imagination, but of mathematics,
+that this enormous distance has vanished to a point. Even then he has only
+reached the nearest fixed star, and, of course, has only just entered upon
+the outer limit of creation. He must prepare himself for a still loftier
+flight. He must give up the diameter of the earth's orbit as the unit of
+his measurements, because too short, and take as his standard the passage
+of light, at the rate of two hundred thousand miles per second. With that
+speed can he go on, until his mind has reckoned up six thousand years of
+seconds, and he will reach fixed stars whose light has not yet arrived at
+the earth, because it did not commence its journey till the time of man's
+creation.
+
+But it is not merely in respect to distance and magnitude that astronomy
+has enlarged our knowledge of the universe. Numerically it has opened a
+field equally wide. Think of two thousand worlds rolling nightly around
+us, visible to the naked eye. Take the telescope, and see those two
+thousand multiply to fifty or one hundred millions, and then recollect how
+very improbable it is that the keenest optics of earth can reach more than
+an infinitesimal part of creation. Surely the mind is as much confounded
+and lost, when it attempts to conceive of the number of the worlds in the
+universe, as when it contemplates their distances and magnitudes. In
+respect to number and distance, at least, we find no resting-place but in
+infinity.
+
+Now, when we turn our thoughts to the Author of such a universe, our
+conceptions of his power, wisdom, and benevolence cannot but enlarge in
+the same ratio as our views of his works. They must, therefore, experience
+a prodigious expansion. And, indeed, the merest child in a Christian land,
+in the nineteenth century, has a far wider and nobler conception of the
+perfections of Jehovah than the wisest philosopher who lived before
+astronomy had gone forth on her circumnavigation of the universe. From the
+fact, also, which astronomy discloses, that worlds are in widely different
+chemical and geological conditions, some gaseous and transparent, some
+solid and opaque, and some liquid and incandescent, the mind can hardly
+avoid the inference that they are fulfilling the vast and varied plans of
+Jehovah.
+
+_The sixth step in man's knowledge of Jehovah has been made by the
+microscope._
+
+To give any correct idea of the boundless field which that instrument has
+opened into the infinitesimal parts of creation, it would be necessary to
+go into details too extended for the present occasion. Perhaps the
+animalcula or infusoria furnish the best example. "In the clearest
+waters," says an able writer, "and also in the strongly-troubled acid and
+salt fluids of the various zones of the earth; in springs, rivers, lakes,
+and seas; in the internal moisture of living plants and animal bodies; and
+probably, at times, carried about in the vapor and dust of the whole
+atmosphere of the earth, exists a world, by the common senses of mankind
+unperceived, of very minute living beings, which have been called, for the
+last seventy years, _infusoria_. In the ordinary pursuits of life, this
+mysterious and infinite kingdom of living creatures is passed by without
+our knowledge of, or interest in, its wonders. But to the quiet observer
+how astonishing do these become, when he brings to his aid those optical
+powers by which his faculty of vision is so much strengthened! In every
+drop of dirty, stagnant water, we are generally, if not always, able to
+perceive, by means of the microscope, moving bodies, of from one eleven
+hundred and fiftieth to one twenty-five thousandth of an inch in diameter,
+and which often lie packed so closely together that the space between each
+individual scarcely equals that of their diameter."--Prichard, _History of
+Infusoria_, p. 2, 1841.
+
+Again says he, "It is hardly conceivable that, within the narrow space,
+[of a grain of mustard-seed,] eight millions of living, active creatures
+can exist, all richly endowed with the organs and faculties of animal
+life. Such, however, is the astonishing fact."--_Ib._ p. 3.
+
+In short, whoever will thoroughly study this subject will be satisfied
+that Dr. Ehrenberg does not exceed the truth when he asserts, as the
+result of his inquiries, that "experience shows an unfathomableness of
+organic creations, when attention is directed to the smallest space, as it
+does of stars, when revealing the most immense."--_Prichard_, p. 8.
+
+He who follows out the revelations of the telescope, as it penetrates
+deeper and deeper into space, will feel, when he has seen the remotest
+object which its power discloses, that there must certainly be a vast
+unknown region beyond, infinitely exceeding that one over which he has
+passed. Just so is it with the microscope. It penetrates to an astonishing
+distance into the infinitesimal forms of organic and inorganic matter; but
+every improvement in the instrument reaches a new and equally interesting
+field; and the conclusion forces itself upon the mind that there are
+regions beyond of indefinite extent, teeming with countless millions even
+of organic beings, of a size much more diminutive than those yet
+discovered, and with inorganic forms too minute for the imagination to
+conceive. Indeed, we can no more set limits to creation in the direction
+pointed out by the microscope than in that laid open by the telescope. We
+hence get a most impressive conception of divine wisdom and benevolence,
+which could thus bestow exquisite organization and life upon atoms minute
+beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. Indeed, it seems to me
+that the lesson is even more striking than the contemplation of vast
+worlds in rapid and harmonious motion; because the latter seem to demand
+only infinite power, but the former requires infinite wisdom to direct
+infinite power.
+
+_In the seventh and last place, geology has given great enlargement to our
+knowledge of the divine plans and operations in the universe, and in the
+following particulars_:--
+
+1. It expands our ideas of the time in which the material universe has
+been in existence as much as astronomy does in regard to its extent.
+
+To those not familiar with the details of geology, this will probably seem
+a startling and extravagant assertion. There has been, and still is, an
+extreme sensitiveness in the minds of intelligent men on this subject. And
+I highly respect the ground from which their apprehensions spring, viz., a
+fear that to admit the great antiquity of the globe would bring discredit
+upon revelation. And yet I believe the most candid and able theologians of
+the present day do not fear that to admit the existence of the matter of
+the world previous to the six days' work of creation, is inconsistent with
+the Mosaic statement. But if we allow any period between its creation and
+the six demiurgic days, it is no more derogatory to Scripture to make that
+period ten millions of years than ten years. For if the sacred writer
+would pass over ten years in silence, he could, with the same propriety,
+pass over ten millions. Now, the longer I study geology, the nearer do my
+ideas approximate to the latter number as a measure of the earth's
+duration. Let us contemplate a few facts. We are able to trace the
+geological changes that have taken place on the earth since man's
+existence upon it with a good deal of accuracy. For since his remains are
+found only in alluvium, we must regard all changes that took place
+previous to the deposition of that formation to have been of an earlier
+date than his creation. Now, what are the changes which the last six
+thousand years have witnessed? In some places, the agency of rivers and
+other causes have made an accumulation of alluvial matter to the depth of
+not more than one or two hundred feet, although in particular places it is
+several hundred feet. These deposits have been pushed forward at the
+mouths of some large rivers, so as to cover hundreds, and even thousands,
+of square miles. Oceanic currents have also made deposits in the bottom of
+wide seas of considerable extent; and in some limited spots these
+deposits have been consolidated into rock. The action of frost and
+gravity, also, has crumbled from precipitous ledges angular fragments
+enough to form a slope of detritus sometimes a hundred feet high. The
+polyparia, or coral builders, have advanced their work only a few feet in
+thickness during this period, and soils have accumulated in some places
+about as much. Volcanic action has occasionally thrown up a new island
+from the ocean's bed; but only a few of them have been permanent. Some
+tracts of country, in no case more than a few hundred miles in extent,
+have, by the same agency, been raised a few feet, or sunk down the same
+amount. But after all, the earth's surface remains essentially the same as
+when man was placed upon it.
+
+Now, compare these slight changes with those which have preceded it,
+through the operation of the same agencies, since the first existence of
+animals upon the globe. I will not contend, with some distinguished
+geologists, that these same changes have always operated with the same
+intensity as at present. But there are several circumstances which show
+that the depositions from water could not have been essentially different
+in ancient and modern times. Now, just compare six or eight miles in
+thickness of the fossiliferous deposits of the previous periods with the
+two hundred feet of alluvium accumulated during the historic period; and,
+after you have made all reasonable allowance for the greater intensity of
+action in former times, you will still find yourselves confounded by the
+incalculable time requisite to pile up such an immense thickness of
+materials, and then to harden most of them into stone; especially when you
+call to mind the numerous changes of organic life, and the vast amount of
+animal remains which they exhibit. A superficial observer might lump such
+a work, and crowd it into a few thousand years. But the more its details
+are studied, the longer does the period appear that is requisite for its
+production. Each successive investigation discovers new evidence of
+changes in composition, or organic contents, or of vertical movements
+effected by extremely slow agencies, so as to make the whole work
+immeasurably long.
+
+But when we have gone back to the commencement of animal existence on the
+globe, we have taken but one step in our review of its early history. The
+next backward step embraces that wide period during which the stratified,
+non-fossiliferous rocks--far thicker than the fossiliferous--were
+deposited; probably by the agency of fire and water. Or if we adopt the
+metamorphic theory of Mr. Lyell, we shall be still more deeply impressed
+by the length of that period, during which these rocks were in a course of
+deposition, consolidation, and metamorphosis. For he supposes them
+originally deposited from water, just as mud, sand, and gravel now are
+accumulating in the ocean's bed, and to have enveloped organic beings, as
+similar materials now do. Next the whole were consolidated, so as to form
+the exact prototype of the existing fossiliferous rocks; and finally it
+underwent almost complete fusion, by the slow propagation of internal heat
+upwards, until all the organic contents were obliterated, and a
+crystalline structure was substituted. Nay, according to this theory,
+other systems of rocks, of an analogous character, may have preceded the
+present primary stratified ones, and have been at length entirely melted
+into the unstratified; so that we cannot say when organic life first began
+on the globe. But I will not press this theory, because most of the ablest
+geologists reject it, at least in its full extent. And we have a period
+long enough to confound the imagination, if we take the common view, which
+supposes the non-fossiliferous rocks to have been deposited from water,
+at a temperature too high to admit the existence of organic beings.
+
+We have now gone back to that point in the earth's history when a crust
+had begun to form over the shoreless ocean of melted matter, of which we
+have reason to suppose it was then composed. Shall we attempt to trace
+back that history any farther? The light does, indeed, grow dim, and the
+clew more and more uncertain, the farther we recede along the track of the
+earth's existence. Still there are some scattered rays that seem to recall
+to us a condition of the earth still earlier than that in which it
+constituted a molten globe. It may have been dissipated into vapor, like a
+comet, or a nebula; and subsequently, by the slow radiation of its heat,
+have been condensed into an opaque, though a melted, incandescent mass.
+Several analogies certainly throw an air of plausibility over this
+hypothesis. And if such was, indeed, the earliest condition of the earth,
+the time requisite to condense it into melted matter must have been longer
+than any other period of its history.
+
+Who, now, at all familiar with the dynamics of geological agencies, shall
+undertake to give an arithmetical expression to the periods that make up
+the world's entire history? Not only does the reasoning faculty fail to
+grasp the entire sum, but even imagination, as she flies backwards through
+period after period, tires in the effort, and brings back not even a
+conjectural result. The same feeling does, in fact, come over the mind,
+which she experiences when astronomy has hurried her from world to world,
+from sun to sun, from system to system, from nebula to nebula, and yet she
+seems no nearer to the limits of creation than when she started. We know
+certainly that there are limits; because matter cannot be infinite. But we
+cannot conjecture where they are fixed. We know, also that there was a
+time when this world did not exist, an epoch when its entire mass was
+spoken into existence by the fiat of Jehovah; because the Bible expressly
+declares it. But that epoch is unrevealed. If there is any truth in
+geology, it was certainly more than six thousand years ago. Nay, that
+science carries us as far back into the arcana of time as astronomy does
+into the arcana of space. Neither the distance in the one case, nor the
+duration in the other, can be estimated. But there is a sublime
+inspiration in the effort to grasp the subject; and I see not why there is
+not as much grandeur and high gratification in the idea of vast duration
+as of vast expansion. And I see not why we do not gain as much enlargement
+of our conceptions of the plans of Jehovah respecting the universe in the
+one case as in the other. We cannot but infer, from the pre-Adamic state
+of our world, that it must have subserved other purposes than to sustain
+its present inhabitants.
+
+2. In the second place, geology gives us impressive examples of the extent
+of organic life on the globe since its creation.
+
+I shall not contend, with some geologists, that even the primary
+crystalline rocks may once have been filled with organic remains, which
+have been obliterated by heat; and that, in this way, there may have been
+a number of creations of organized beings on the globe, of which no trace
+now remains. I take as the basis of my argument only the relics of animals
+and plants actually found in the rocks. And when one sees mountain masses,
+often of small shells, and spread over wide areas, he is amazed to learn
+how prolific nature has been. What a countless number of vegetables, too,
+must have been required to produce beds of coal from one to fifty feet
+thick, and extending over thousands of square miles, and alternating
+several times with sandstone in the same basin! There is reason to
+believe, too, that the number of animals preserved in the strata bears
+only a small proportion to those which have been utterly destroyed and
+decomposed into their original elements. For example, in the sandstone
+along Connecticut River, the tracks of more than forty species of bipeds
+and quadrupeds have been found most distinctly marked. Some of these
+bipeds must have been of colossal size--as much as twelve or fifteen feet
+in height. And yet scarcely any other vestige of their existence has been
+discovered. They were the giant rulers of that valley for centuries; but
+they have all vanished. How numerous, then, may have been the softer
+animals of the ancient world, which have not left even a footmark to
+certify their existence to coming generations!
+
+But the facts recently brought to light respecting infusoria and
+polythalamia fill us with the greatest admiration of the extent of organic
+life upon the globe. We have already seen that some of these animals are
+so minute that eight millions of them are found in a space not larger than
+a mustard-seed; and yet they had skeletons of silex, lime, and iron; and,
+of course, these skeletons have been preserved; and, though of the
+smallest size, it requires not less than forty-one billions to make a
+single cubic inch; yet deposits of them, or of species not much larger,
+occur, several feet in thickness, and extending over several square miles.
+Nay, the chalk of Northern Europe, and also of Western Asia, where it
+constitutes most of Mount Lebanon, and extends southerly through Palestine
+into Arabia and Egypt, and also deposits in North and South America,
+thousands of miles in extent,--this rock, I say, is nearly half composed
+of microscopic shells. The oolite, also, contains them; and, indeed,
+infusorial remains occur in flint and opal; and, as instruments and
+observations are perfected, more and more of the solid rocks are found to
+have once constituted the framework of animals. It is hardly to be doubted
+that such was the fact with nearly all the limestone on the globe,
+occupying at least a seventh part of its surface. In fact, we seem fast
+coming to regard as sober truth the ancient adage, apparently so
+extravagant--_Omnis calx e vermibus; omne ferrum e vermibus; omnis silex e
+vermibus._ Indeed, it is the opinion of so competent a geologist as Dr.
+Mantell that "probably there is not an atom of the solid materials of the
+globe which has not passed through the complex and wonderful laboratory of
+life."--_Wond. of Geology_, vol. ii. p. 670.--What a vast field here opens
+before us to contemplate the far-reaching plans, the benevolence, and the
+wisdom of the Deity!
+
+In the third place, geology shows us that the present system of organic
+life on the globe is but one link of a series, extending very far backward
+and infinitely forward.
+
+Revelation describes only the existing species, leaving to science the
+task and the privilege to lift up the veil that hangs over the past, and
+to disclose other economies that have passed away. How many of them have
+existed we do not certainly know. If, with Agassiz, we characterize them
+by their predominant tribes, we might say that all the period previous to
+the new red sandstone constituted the reign of fishes; from thence to the
+chalk, the reign of reptiles; from thence to the drift, the reign of
+mammifera. But this is a less philosophical view than that of Deshayes,
+who finds five great groups of animals, specifically independent of one
+another. But who will attempt to fix the chronological limits of these
+systems? We can only say that they must have been exceedingly long, if we
+can place any dependence upon existing analogies; and we know that each
+one of them is made up of numerous subdivisions, or minor groups, widely,
+though not entirely, different in composition and organic contents. We
+know that the more we examine the whole series, the deeper does our
+conviction become that its commencement runs back far, very far, into the
+depths of past eternity. We know, also, from the joint testimony of
+Scripture and geology, that another change is to pass over the world, to
+prepare it for inhabitants far more elevated than those now living upon
+it, and in possession of perfect holiness and perfect happiness. And it
+may be it will experience far greater changes, adapting it for higher and
+higher grades of being, through periods of duration to which we can assign
+no limits. O, what a vast chain of being is here spread out before the
+imagination, reaching immeasurably far into the depths of the eternity
+which is past, and into the eternity which is to come! What a field for
+the display of God's infinite perfections! What a vista does it open to us
+into the vast plans and purposes of Jehovah!
+
+In the fourth place, geology reveals to us a curious series of
+improvements in the condition of worlds, as they pass through successive
+changes.
+
+If the earth began its existence in the state of vapor, we can hardly
+imagine it in that state capable of sustaining any organic natures, formed
+upon the general type of those now existing. Nor, when the vapor was
+condensed into a molten globe, could such natures inhabit it, till a crust
+had formed over its surface, and the heat had been so reduced as not to
+decompose animals and plants. Even then, the natures placed upon it must
+have been of a peculiar and low type of organization, capable of enduring
+the high temperature and catastrophes which would destroy those of more
+delicate and complicated organization. But gradually did the temperature
+diminish, while aqueous and atmospheric agencies were accumulating a
+deeper and a richer soil, so that the next change of inhabitants would
+allow natures of a higher organization and a denser population to occupy
+the surface. Their remains, buried in the earth, would increase the
+quantity of carbonate of lime in a form available for the use of animals
+and plants; that is, lime would gradually be eliminated, by plants and
+animals, from its more concealed combinations in the crystalline rocks,
+and be converted into carbonates, sulphates, and humates. A larger amount
+of organic matter would also be converted into humus. Now, limestone soils
+are of all others most favorable to vegetation, when there is a sufficient
+supply of organic matter. Hence every successive change becomes more and
+more adapted for animals and plants, because the lime and the organic
+matter in a state favorable for their support have been increasing; and
+the present state of the surface is more favorable than any conditions
+which have preceded it, and accordingly it is peopled with more perfect
+and more numerous organic natures. Can we doubt but that, if another
+change passes over the earth, this same great principle of progressive
+improvement will be manifested in the renovated world? I am not prepared
+to maintain, however, that this future change will be, like the past ones,
+an improvement as to soil and climate; for the change, as Scripture
+teaches, will be accomplished by fire; and so different will be the state
+of existence in the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, that we
+cannot say how far the present system of nature will be introduced. But
+that it will be an improved condition, we can hardly doubt, if we infer
+any thing from the splendid figures by which it is described in the Bible,
+and from the character of those who are to be its denizens.
+
+Some of the facts of modern astronomy impress us with the idea that this
+principle of progress may extend to other worlds. Some of these are in a
+gaseous state, some condensed into fiery liquid globes, some covered with
+a crust of solidified volcanic matter, and some surrounded by a liquid,
+like water. Do not these facts justify the supposition, that the changes
+which our earth has undergone are merely a single example of a great
+principle in God's government of the natural world? If so, it presents the
+divine wisdom in an interesting aspect. We see the Deity employing the
+same matter for different purposes. Instead of creating it for one single
+economy of organic beings, he seems to have made it the theatre for the
+display of his benevolence through successive periods; but at the same
+time not losing sight of the highest use he intended to make of it, by the
+introduction of rational and immortal natures upon it. Human wisdom would
+have pronounced this impossible; but divine wisdom, prompted by divine
+benevolence, could accomplish it.
+
+Finally, geology discloses to us chemical change as a great animating,
+controlling, and conservative principle of the material universe.
+
+When Newton brought to light the principle of gravitation, and showed how
+it controls and keeps in harmonious movement the heavenly bodies, he
+developed the great mechanical power by which the universe is governed.
+And this power was supposed for a long time to be superior to all others.
+But geology has brought out a second great controlling and conservative
+agency,--the chemical power,--"the second right hand of the Creator," as
+Dr. McCulloch expressively calls it. Suppose matter under the control of
+gravity, and let it be balanced by a centrifugal force. You have, indeed,
+harmonious motions among the celestial bodies, and, if no disturbing cause
+come in, you have endless motion. But until you introduce chemical
+agencies, every thing in the individual worlds would be compacted by
+gravity into one dead mass of matter, destined to no resurrection. But let
+chemical agencies leaven that mass, let affinity and cohesion commence
+their segregating processes, and constant motion and change would follow,
+with a thousand new and splendid forms. Especially when the Deity had
+infused the living principle into portions of that matter, and put
+chemistry, and her handmaid electricity, under the control of the vital
+power, would these worlds teem with animation, and countless exhibitions
+of beauty.
+
+And in all known worlds, these chemical changes are at work unceasingly.
+We know not whether those worlds are all inhabited, but we have evidence
+that all are undergoing the transmutations of chemistry; not on their
+surface merely, but in their deep interior. The consequence is, universal
+change; change often upon a vast scale; change extending through thousands
+and millions of years, and through the entire mass of immense worlds. We
+have glanced, in these lectures, at the most important of those changes
+which this world has undergone, and we have seen it to be almost
+universal. We have found that the entire crust of the globe, many miles in
+thickness, and probably to its centre, has been dissolved by heat, and
+much of it also by water; that a large part of it, at least, has, by the
+same chemistry, been made to constitute portions of the animal frame;
+that, even now, much of its interior is held in igneous solution, and that
+probably the time was when its entire mass was a molten, self-luminous
+world. Indeed, the conjecture is not without some foundation, which
+carries back this chemical action one step farther, and makes the world
+originally a diffused mass of nebula.
+
+At this point of the argument, geology appeals to astronomy, to show how
+widely this principle of chemical change has operated, and still operates,
+in the universe. We look first at the nebulae; for here we probably find
+matter in its most chaotic and attenuated form, constituting
+self-luminous, diffused masses of vapor. In some of them, however, that
+matter has begun to condense, doubtless by the radiation of its heat. In
+the comets, we find probably similar matter, some of it still farther
+advanced in the process of condensation, so that perhaps a nearly solid
+nucleus may exist. In the sun and fixed stars, the condensation has gone
+on so far that cohesive attraction begins to operate, the latent heat of
+the vapor is extricated, and melted luminous worlds are the result. Around
+them, however, there probably still floats a wide atmosphere of the more
+elastic materials, which the heat dissipates, of which the zodiacal light,
+perhaps, furnishes us with an example. The nebulosity which surrounds the
+asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, and Astrea, renders it probable
+that, though they have advanced so far in the process of refrigeration as
+to become opaque, they may still retain heat enough to dissipate much of
+their substance. Still farther advanced towards the condition of a
+habitable world is the moon; and yet volcanic desolation covers its
+surface. Not improbably Jupiter is nearly surrounded with a fluid like
+water, and Saturn by a fluid lighter than water--being still farther
+advanced towards the condition of the earth.
+
+I acknowledge that these are but slight glimpses of the geology and
+chemistry of other worlds. And yet, taken in connection with the
+geological history of our own globe, do they not furnish us with some
+extremely probable examples of those changes to which our earth has been
+subject? They show us that worlds may exist in the form of vapor, and that
+some are actually at this time in the various conditions through which
+geology supposes this world to have passed. Do we not, in these examples,
+gather strong intimations of a great law of chemical change in the
+universe? Gaseous matter, so far as we know, appears to have been the
+earliest state of the universe; and then, by the agency of heat, it passes
+through the successive changes of liquid and solid, which have been
+described.
+
+The chemical changes that take place on the earth, under our immediate
+cognizance, through the agency of water, usually proceed, under favorable
+circumstances, in a cycle; that is, the substance, after passing through a
+series of changes, returns at length into the same condition from which it
+started. Thus aqueous vapor, by the loss of heat, is first converted into
+water, next into ice, and then, by the access of heat, into water again,
+and at last into vapor. The question naturally arises, whether those
+mutations, through which worlds are passing, may not form a similar cycle.
+We are able to trace them through several steps, from gaseous to liquid,
+and from the liquid to the solid; and we are assured, on the testimony of
+Scripture, that the next change of the earth will be from solid to liquid.
+And in those stars which in past ages have suddenly broken forth with
+remarkable splendor, and then disappeared, may we not have examples of
+other worlds burnt up,--not annihilated,--but deluged by fire, and either
+dissipated or again cooled? What changes, if any, will succeed the final
+conflagration of the globe, neither science nor revelation informs us.
+
+Yet, if the laws of nature respecting heat are not entirely altered, other
+changes must follow; and we have seen, in a former lecture, that those
+changes are perfectly consistent with our ideas of heaven, and that they
+may, in fact, enhance the happiness of heaven. They may go on forever; in
+which case, we can hardly doubt but they would form a cycle, though how
+wide the circuit we cannot conjecture; or they may, at least, reach an
+unchanging state. I confess, however, that the idea of perpetual change
+corresponds best with the analogies of the existing universe; and in
+eternity, as well as in time, it may form an essential element of
+happiness.
+
+In this world, too, this unceasing change, though it presents at first
+view a strong tendency to ruin, is, in fact, the grand conservative
+principle of material things. In a world of life and motion like ours, it
+is impossible that bodies, especially organic bodies, should not be
+sometimes subject to violent disarrangements and destruction from the
+mechanical agencies which exist; and were no chemical changes possible,
+ultimate and irremediable ruin must be the result. But the chemical
+powers, inherent in matter, soon bring forth new forms of beauty from the
+ruins; and, in fact, throughout all nature, the process of renovation
+usually counterbalances that of destruction; and thus far, indeed, the
+former has done more than this; for every time nature has changed her
+dress in past ages, she has put on more lovely robes, and a fresher
+countenance. Can we doubt that this same principle of change, operating,
+as it does, on a stupendous scale through the universe, is one of the
+great means of its preservation? It seems, indeed, paradoxical to say that
+instability is the basis of stability. But I see not why it is not
+literally true; and I can hardly doubt but this principle is superior to
+the laws of gravity--superior to every other law, in fact, for giving
+permanence and security to the universe.
+
+It is true that, in the case of man, connected as diminution and decay are
+with the curse denounced on sin, they assume, in his view, a melancholy
+aspect; and the perishable nature of all created things has ever been
+viewed by the sentimentalist with sad emotions.
+
+  "What does not fade? The tower that long had stood
+  The crush of thunder, and the warring winds,
+  Shook by the slow but sure destroyer Time,
+  Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base;
+  And flinty pyramids and walls of brass
+  Descend; the Babylonian spires are sunk;
+  Achaia, Rome, and Egypt moulder down.
+  Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones;
+  And tottering empires rush by their own weight.
+  This huge rotundity we tread grows old,
+  And all those worlds that roll around the sun.
+  The sun himself shall die, and ancient night
+  Again involve the desolate abyss."--_Akenside._
+
+If we turn now our thoughts away from man's dissolution, and think how
+speedily chemical power will raise nature out of her grave, in renovated
+and increased beauty, this universal tendency to decay puts on the aspect
+of a glorious transformation. We connect the changes around us with those
+which have taken place in the great bodies of the universe; we see them
+all to be but parts of a far-reaching plan of the Deity, by which the
+stability of the world is maintained, and its progressive improvement
+secured. When we look forward, fancy kindles at the developments of divine
+power, wisdom, and benevolence which will in this manner be made in the
+round of eternal ages. We see that what our ignorance had mistaken for a
+defect in nature is, in fact, a great conservative principle of the
+universe, which Newton did not discover because geology had not yet
+unfolded her record.
+
+Such are the developments of the divine character and plans unfolded to us
+by geology. Compare them now with the views which have hitherto
+prevailed. The common opinion has been, and still, indeed, is, that about
+six thousand years ago this earth, and, in fact, the whole material
+universe, were spoken into existence in a moment of time; and that, in a
+few thousand more, they will, by a similar fiat, be swept from existence,
+and be no more. On the other hand, geology places the time when the matter
+of the universe was created out of nothing at an epoch indefinitely but
+immensely remote. Since that epoch, this matter has passed through a
+multitude of changes, and been the seat of numerous systems of organic
+life, unlike one another, yet all linked together into one great system by
+a most perfect unity; each minor system being most beautifully adapted to
+its place in the great chain, and yet each successive link becoming more
+and more perfect. Nor does geology admit that any evidence exists of the
+future annihilation of the material universe; but rather of other changes,
+by which new and brighter displays of divine wisdom and benevolence shall
+be brought out, it may be in endless succession. Geology is not, indeed,
+insensible to the displays of the divine character which are exhibited on
+the present theatre of the world. Indeed, she distinctly recognizes the
+act which is now passing as the most perfect of all. Yet this scene of the
+great drama she regards as only one of the units of a similar series of
+changes that have gone by or will hereafter come; the chain stretching so
+far into the eternity that is past and the eternity that is to come, that
+the extremities are lost to mortal vision.
+
+Do any shrink back from these immense conclusions, because they so much
+surpass the views they have been accustomed to entertain respecting the
+beginning and the end of the material universe? But why should they be
+unwilling to have geology liberalize their minds as much in respect to
+duration as astronomy has done in respect to space? Perhaps it is a
+lingering fear that the geological views conflict with revelation. Such
+fears formerly kept back many from giving up their souls to the noble
+truths of astronomy. But they learnt, at length, that astronomy merely
+illustrates, and does not oppose, revelation. It showed men how to
+understand certain passages of sacred writ respecting the earth and
+heavenly bodies which they had before misinterpreted. Just so is it with
+geology. There is no collision between its statements and revelation. It
+only enables us more correctly to interpret some portions of the Bible;
+and then, when we have admitted the new interpretation, it brings a flood
+of light upon the plans and attributes of Jehovah. Geology, therefore,
+should be viewed, as it really is, the auxiliary both of natural and
+revealed religion. And when its religious relations are fully understood,
+theology, I doubt not, will be as anxious to cultivate its alliance as she
+has been fearful of it in days past.
+
+"Shall it any longer be said," remarks Dr. Buckland, "that a science which
+unfolds such abundant evidence of the being and attributes of God, can
+reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient auxiliary
+and handmaid of religion? Some few there still may be whom timidity, or
+prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its evidence; who
+are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the magnitude and extent, of
+the views which geology forces on their attention; and who would rather
+have kept closed the volume of witness which has been sealed up for ages
+beneath the surface of the earth than to impose on the student in natural
+theology the duty of studying its contents--a duty in which, for lack of
+experience, they may anticipate a hazardous or laborious task, but which,
+by those engaged in it, is found to be a rational, and righteous, and
+delightful exercise of the highest faculties in multiplying the evidence
+of the existence, and attributes, and providence of God. The alarm,
+however, which was excited by the novelty of its first discoveries, has
+well nigh passed away; and those to whom it has been permitted to be the
+humble instruments of their promulgation, and who have steadily
+persevered, under the firm conviction that 'truth can never be opposed to
+truth,' and that the works of God, when rightly understood, and viewed in
+their true relations, and from a right position, would at length be found
+to be in perfect accordance with his word, are now receiving their high
+reward in finding difficulties vanish, objections gradually withdrawn, and
+in seeing the evidences of geology admitted into the list of witnesses to
+the truth of the great fundamental doctrines of theology."--_Bridgewater
+Treatise_, vol. i. p. 593.
+
+Such, then, in conclusion of the subject, is the religion of geology. It
+has been described as a region divided between the barren mountains of
+scepticism and the putrid fens and quagmires of infidelity and atheism;
+producing only a gloomy and a poisonous vegetation; covered with fogs, and
+swept over by pestilential blasts. But this report was made by those who
+saw it at a distance. We have found it to be a land abounding in rich
+landscapes, warmed by a bright sun, blest with a balmy atmosphere, covered
+by noble forests and sweet flowers, with fruits savory and healthful. We
+have ascended its lofty mountains, and there have we been greeted with
+prospects of surpassing loveliness and overwhelming sublimity. In short,
+nowhere in the whole world of science do we find regions where more of the
+Deity is seen in his works. To him whose heart is warmed by true piety,
+and whose mind has broken the narrow shell of prejudice, and can grasp
+noble thoughts, these are delightful fields through which to wander. More
+and more they must become the favorite haunts of such hearts and such
+minds. For there do views open upon the soul, respecting the character and
+plans of the Deity, as large and refreshing as those which astronomy
+presents. Nay, in their practical bearing, these views are far more
+important. Mechanical philosophy introduces an unbending and unvarying law
+between the Creator and his works; but geology unveils his providential
+hand, cutting asunder that law at intervals, and planting the seeds of a
+new economy upon a renovated world. We thus seem to be brought into near
+communion with the infinite mind. We are prepared to listen to his voice
+when it speaks in revelation. We recognize his guiding and sustaining
+agency at every step of our pilgrimage. And we await in confident hope and
+joyful anticipation those sublime manifestations of his character and
+plans, and those higher enjoyments which will greet the pure soul in the
+round of eternal ages.
+
+
+
+
+LECTURE XIV.
+
+SCIENTIFIC TRUTH, RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD, IS RELIGIOUS TRUTH.
+
+
+The connection between science and religion has ever been a subject of
+deep interest to enlightened and reflecting minds. Too often, however, up
+to the present time, has the theologian, on the one hand, looked with
+jealousy upon science, fearful that its influence was hurtful to the cause
+of true religion; while, on the other hand, the philosopher, in the pride
+of a sceptical spirit, has scorned an alliance between science and
+theology, and even fancied many a discrepancy. Both these opinions are
+erroneous; and disastrously have they operated, as well upon science as
+upon religion. The position which I take, and which I shall endeavor to
+maintain, is, that _scientific truth, rightly understood, is religious
+truth_.
+
+The proposition may be misunderstood at its first announcement, but I
+hope, ere its examination be finished, to satisfy you that it is true; and
+if so, that it ought to reconcile religion to science, and science to
+religion.
+
+In arriving at correct conclusions concerning this statement, much will
+depend on the meaning which we attach to the phrase _religious truth_.
+Religion is properly defined to be piety towards God. This piety implies
+two things: first, a correct knowledge of God; and secondly, the exercise
+of proper affections in view of that knowledge. The former constitutes the
+theoretic part of religion, and is investigated solely by the
+understanding. The latter constitutes the practical part of religion, and
+depends much upon the will, the heart, or the moral powers of man. All
+truth, therefore, which illustrates the divine character or government, or
+which tends to produce right affections towards God, is properly
+denominated religious truth. If, then, I can show that all scientific
+truth, rightly understood, has one or both of these effects, it will
+follow that it is strictly religious truth.
+
+Scientific truth is but another name for the laws of nature. And a law of
+nature is merely the uniform mode in which the Deity operates in the
+created universe. It follows, then, that science is only a history of the
+divine operations in matter and mind.
+
+In order to avoid mistake, we must make a distinction between the
+principles of science, and the application of those principles to the
+useful arts of life. The principles themselves are an illustration of the
+divine wisdom and benevolence, but their application to the arts
+illustrates the ingenuity and wisdom of man. At the most, therefore, the
+latter only indirectly and remotely exhibits the character of the Deity,
+while the former directly shows forth his perfections.
+
+I now proceed to establish my general proposition, by showing, in the
+first place, that _all scientific truth is adapted to prove the existence
+or to illustrate the perfections of the Deity_.
+
+After all that has been written on the subject of natural theology, by
+such men as Newintyt, Ray, Derham, Wollaston, Clarke, Butler, Tucker,
+Paley, Chalmers, Crombie, Brown, Brougham, Harris, M'Cosh, and the authors
+of the Bridgewater Treatises, I need not surely go into details to prove
+that science in general is a great storehouse of facts to illustrate the
+divine perfections and government. It is, indeed, a vast repository, from
+which materials have been drawn on which to build the argument for the
+divine existence and character. Efforts have been made, it is true, in
+modern times, to show that the whole argument from design is inconclusive.
+It is said, that though the operations of nature seem to show design and
+contrivance, they need no higher powers than those that exist in nature
+itself. They do not prove the existence of an independent personal agent,
+separate from the material world. Animals, and even plants, possess an
+inherent power of adapting themselves to circumstances; and may not a
+higher exercise of this same power explain all the operations of nature
+without any other Deity?
+
+This argument appears to me to be utterly set aside by the following
+considerations: In the first place, there is no power inherent in
+vegetable or animal natures which can properly be called the power of
+contrivance and design, except so far as it exists in their minds. All
+other examples show merely the operation of impulse, or instinct, and will
+not at all explain that wide-reaching contrivance and design which cause
+all the operations of nature to conspire to certain great results, and to
+constitute one, and only one, great system. In the second place, the
+operations of intellect furnish us with the only examples in nature of
+that kind of contrivance and design which must have arranged and adapted
+the parts of the universe. But in the third place, no intellect, within
+our knowledge, is capacious enough to have contrived and arranged the
+universe. Indeed, to the capacity of that mind which could have done this
+we can assign no limits, and, therefore, infer it to be infinite. In other
+words, we infer the existence of the Deity. In the fourth place, the whole
+force of this argument rests upon the supposed uniformity of nature. For
+no one imagines that there exists at present, in nature, any power of
+contrivance and design sufficient to work a miracle; in other words, to
+introduce new races of animals and plants. "Could this uniformity once be
+broken up," says an ingenious expositor of this atheistic argument, "could
+this rigid order be once infringed for a good and manifest reason, it
+would change the whole face of the argument. Could we see the sun stand
+still in heaven, that the wicked might be overthrown, then should we be
+assured of a personal power with a distinct will, whose agents and
+ministers these laws were. Such an event would be a miracle. But if such
+events have happened, they are not a part of nature; it is not nature that
+tells us of them, and it is only with her that we are at present
+concerned."--_President Hopkins, Quarterly Observer_, Oct. 1833, p. 309.
+
+Geology, however, does reveal to us miracles of stupendous, import,
+miracles of creation, which infinite power and wisdom alone could have
+produced. Hence, if the testimony of that science be admitted, this
+reasoning can no longer stand the test of examination, and it must be
+acknowledged that the argument for God's existence from design, which has
+ever been so satisfactory to every mind not clouded by metaphysics, is
+left standing on an immovable foundation.
+
+To return to the point from which we started: it is not necessary, I say,
+to go into a detailed examination of each particular science, and show how
+its principles prove and illustrate the being and attributes of the Deity,
+for the work has already been done more ably and thoroughly than I can do
+it, and admitted by all, save the few who reject the argument from design
+altogether. There are a few sciences, however, which have been hitherto
+chiefly passed by, because they were not supposed capable of throwing any
+light of consequence upon theology. Let us see whether these sciences are
+as barren of religious interest as has been supposed.
+
+Geology is a branch of knowledge, which, a few years ago, would have been
+at once selected as not only destitute of any important religious
+applications, but as of a positively injurious tendency; and even now,
+such is the feeling probably of a majority of the religious world. True,
+it touches religion, natural and revealed, at many points; but so novel
+and startling are its conclusions, that they are thought to unsettle more
+minds than they confirm. They fall in with many of the views of
+scepticism, and especially confirm its doubts concerning the age of the
+world, and compel the religious man to give up long-cherished opinions
+upon this point, and on other collateral subjects. But we have gone into a
+careful examination of the religious applications of this science, and
+have we not found it most fertile in its illustrations both of natural and
+revealed religion? Let us just recapitulate the conclusions at which we
+have arrived.
+
+In the first place, geology furnishes important illustrations of revealed
+religion. It confirms the statement that the present continents of our
+globe were once, and for an indefinite time, beneath the ocean, and that
+they were subsequently lifted above the waters by internal agencies. It
+agrees with revelation in making water and heat the two great agents of
+geological change upon and within the earth, and that the work of
+creation, after the production of matter, was progressive. It shows us
+equally with revelation, that the existing races of animals and plants on
+the globe were created at a comparatively recent epoch, and that man
+commenced his existence not more than six thousand years ago. It shows us,
+also, that the earth contains within itself the volcanic agency necessary
+for its future destruction by combustion, as described in the Bible.
+
+But, perhaps, the most important illustration of revealed truth, which
+geology affords, is the light which it casts upon certain passages of the
+Bible relating to the creation. As those texts which represent the earth
+as immovable, and the heavenly bodies as moving diurnally around it, were
+not rightly understood, until astronomy had discovered the true theory of
+the solar system, so those passages which relate to the period of the
+creation of the universe, the introduction of death into the world, and
+the extent and operation of the deluge, were misinterpreted till geology
+disclosed their true meaning. It is still customary, indeed, to speak of
+geology and revelation as in collision with each other on these subjects;
+but this is a false view of the case. Revelation is illustrated, not
+opposed, by geology. Who thinks, at this day, of any discrepancy between
+astronomy and revelation? And yet, two hundred years ago, the evidence of
+such discrepancy was far more striking than any which can now be offered
+to show geology at variance with the Scriptures. We ought, therefore, to
+look upon that science as illustrating, instead of opposing, the
+Scriptures.
+
+Having once admitted the conclusions of geology as to the great age of the
+world, and a flood of light is shed upon some of the most difficult points
+both of natural and revealed religion. It shows the occurrence of numerous
+changes on the globe which nothing but the power of God could have
+produced, and which in fact were most striking and stupendous miracles.
+Hence the arguments which have so long been employed to show that the
+world is eternal are rendered nugatory; for if we can point to epochs when
+entire races of animals and plants began to exist on the globe, we prove
+the agency of a Deity quite as strikingly as if we could show the moment
+when the matter of the world was summoned into existence out of nothing.
+In the same manner, also, we silence the argument against the giving of a
+revelation from heaven, as well as the miracles by which it is
+substantiated, on the ground that we have no example of a special
+interference with the established course of nature. Here we have
+interpositions long anterior to man's existence, as well as by his
+creation, which take away all improbability from those which are implied
+in a revelation. We hence likewise establish the doctrine of a special
+providence over the world--a doctrine proved with great difficulty by any
+other reasoning of natural theology.
+
+Still more abundant is the evidence derived from geology of the divine
+benevolence. And this evidence comes mostly from the operations and final
+effect of the most desolating agencies, heretofore regarded as a proof of
+malevolence, or, at least, of vindictive justice; and we may reasonably
+infer, that could we look through the whole system of divine government,
+we should find that all evil is only a necessary means of the greatest
+good.
+
+No one can examine existing nature without being convinced that all its
+parts and operations belong to one great system. Geology makes other
+economies of wide extent to pass before us, opening a vista indefinitely
+backward into the hoary past; and it is gratifying to witness that same
+unity of design pervading all preceding periods of the world's history,
+linking the whole into one mighty scheme, worthy its infinite Contriver.
+
+How much, also, does this science enlarge our conceptions of the plans and
+operations of Jehovah! We had been accustomed to limit our views of the
+creative agency of God to the few thousand years of man's existence, and
+to anticipate the destruction of the material universe in a few thousand
+years more. But geology makes the period of man's existence on the globe
+only one short link of a chain of revolutions which preceded his
+existence, and which reaches forward immeasurably far into the future. We
+see the same matter in the hands of infinite wisdom, and by means of the
+great conservative principle of chemical change, passing through a
+multitude of stupendous revolutions, sustaining countless and varied forms
+of organic life, and presenting an almost illimitable panorama of the
+plans of an infinite God.
+
+If such is the fruit which geology pours into the lap of religion, how
+misunderstood have been its principles! In many a mind there is still an
+anxious fear lest its discoveries should prove unfavorable to religion;
+and they would feel greatly relieved could they only be assured that no
+influence injurious to piety would emanate from that science. But we can
+give them far more than this assurance. We can draw from this science more
+to illustrate and confirm religion than from any other; and we believe
+that the history of the past justifies the general conclusion, that those
+sciences whose early developments excited most apprehensions of a
+collision with religion, have ultimately furnished the most abundant
+illustrations of its principles.
+
+Another science regarded as barren of religious applications, and even as
+sometimes positively injurious, is mathematics. Its principles are,
+indeed, of so abstruse a nature, that it is not easy to frame out of them
+a religious argument that is capable of popular illustration. But, in
+fact, mathematical laws form the basis of nearly all the operations of
+nature. They constitute, as it were, the very framework of the material
+world. When we look up to the heavenly bodies, we see them directed and
+controlled, along with the earth, by those laws, which vary not, by an
+iota, from century to century. The infinity of changes, which are going on
+in the constitution of bodies upon and within the earth, chemistry
+reduces to mathematical laws. So far as organic operations depend upon
+chemical changes,--and this is very far,--mathematics is the controlling
+power. I will not say, that life and intellect are in a strict sense under
+the guidance of mathematics; and yet I doubt not that their operations are
+limited and controlled by its principles. Confident am I that atmospheric
+changes, apparently quite as anomalous and irregular as the movements of
+the vital and intellectual principles, rest on mathematics as certainly as
+do the revolutions of the heavenly bodies.
+
+It seems, then, that this science forms the very foundation of all
+arguments for Theism, from the arrangements and operations of the material
+universe. We do, indeed, neglect the foundation, and point only to the
+superstructure, when we state these arguments. But suppose mathematical
+laws to be at once struck from existence, and what a hideous chaos would
+the universe present! What then would become of the marks of design and
+unity in nature, and of the Theist's argument for the being of a God?
+
+But mathematical principles furnish several interesting illustrations of
+truth, of no small importance. In a former lecture, we have seen how the
+doctrine of miracles stands forth completely vindicated by an appeal to
+mathematical laws; how, in fact, they might have formed a part of the
+original plan of the universe, when first it was conceived in the divine
+mind, and how their occurrence may be as much the result of a fixed law as
+the most common operations of nature; so that in this way all
+improbability of their occurrence, on the ground that nature is constant,
+is removed. These views are illustrated in that singular, yet original
+work of Professor Babbage, called the "Ninth Bridgewater Treatise," a work
+written, it is true, in part, under the influence of exasperated feelings,
+but yet full of original and ingenious suggestions. But these views have
+been so fully presented in the Lecture on Special and Miraculous
+Providence, and in that upon the Telegraphic System of the Universe, that
+they need not here be repeated.
+
+Mathematics, also, aids our conceptions of truths of religion difficult or
+impossible, from their nature, of being understood by finite beings. All
+the attributes of the Deity, being infinite, are of this description. But
+it seems to me that the contemplation of a mathematical series, either
+increasing or decreasing, gives us the strongest apprehension of infinity
+which we can attain. It puts into our hands a thread by which we can find
+our way, as far as our powers will carry us, towards infinity. True, after
+we have followed the series till the mind stops exhausted, we are no
+nearer infinity than when we started; yet we do get most deeply impressed
+with the unfathomableness of the abyss that separates the finite from the
+infinite.
+
+To many minds all statements of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity
+appear so absurd and contradictory as to be incapable of belief. Yet let
+it be stated to a man, for the first time, that two lines may approach
+each other forever without meeting, and it must appear equally absurd. But
+after you have demonstrated to him the properties of the hyperbola and its
+asymptote, the apparent absurdity vanishes. So, when the theologian has
+stated, that by the divine unity he means only a numerical unity,--in
+other words, that there is but one Supreme Being, and that the three
+persons of the Godhead are one in this sense, and three only in those
+respects not inconsistent with this unity,--every philosophical mind,
+whether it admits that the Scriptures teach this doctrine or not, must see
+that there is no absurdity or contradiction in it. And thus it may happen,
+that the solution of a man's difficulties on this subject may come from a
+proposition of conic sections, as in fact we know to have been the case.
+
+It is said, however, that mathematicians have been unusually prone to
+scepticism concerning religious truth. If it be so, it probably originates
+from the absurd attempt to apply mathematical reasoning to moral subjects;
+or, rather, the devotees of this science often become so attached to its
+demonstrations, that they will not admit any evidence of a less certain
+character. They do not realize the total difference between moral and
+mathematical reasonings, and absurdly endeavor to stretch religion on the
+Procrustean bed of mathematics. No wonder they become sceptics. But the
+fault is in themselves, not in this science, whose natural tendencies,
+upon a pure and exalted mind, are favorable to religion, because its
+principles illustrate religion.
+
+There are several other sciences, whose earlier developments were supposed
+for a time to be unfavorable to religion; and hence has originated a
+ground of apprehension respecting science generally. When the Copernican
+system of astronomy was introduced, it was thought impossible ever to
+reconcile it to the plain declarations of Scripture; and hence at least
+one venerable astronomer was obliged to recant that system upon his knees.
+Similar fears of collision between science and revelation were excited
+when chemistry announced that the main part of the earth has already been
+oxidized, and, therefore, could not hereafter be literally burnt. Because
+some physiologists have been materialists, it has been inferred that
+physiology was favorable to materialism. But it is now found that they
+were materialists in spite of physiology, rather than from a correct
+interpretation of its facts.
+
+Strong apprehensions have also been excited respecting phrenology and
+mesmerism. And, indeed, in their present aspect, these sciences are
+probably made to exert a more unfriendly influence upon vital religion
+than any other. Those who profess to understand and teach them have been,
+for the most part, decided opponents of special providence and special
+grace, and many of them materialists. But this is not because there are
+any special grounds for such opinions in phrenology or mesmerism. The
+latter branch, indeed, affords such decided proofs of immaterialism, as to
+have led several able materialists to change their views. Nor does
+phrenology afford any stronger proof that law governs the natural world,
+than do the other sciences. But when a man who is sceptical becomes deeply
+interested in any branch of knowledge, and fancies himself to be an oracle
+respecting it, he will torture its principles till they are made to give
+testimony in favor of his previous sceptical views, although, in fact, the
+tones are as unnatural as those of ventriloquism, and as deceptive. When
+true philosophy shall at length determine what are the genuine principles
+of phrenology and mesmerism, we can judge of their bearing upon religion;
+but the history of other sciences shows us that we need have no fears of
+any collision, when the whole subject is brought fairly into the daylight.
+
+Upon the whole, every part of science, which has been supposed, by the
+fears of friends or malice of foes, to conflict with religion, has been
+found, at length, when fully understood, to be in perfect harmony with its
+principles, and even to illustrate them. It is high time, therefore, for
+the friends of religion to cease fearing any injury to the cause of
+religion from science; and high time, also, for the enemies of religion to
+cease expecting any such collision.
+
+In conclusion of this argument, we may safely challenge any one to point
+out a single principle of science which does not in some way illustrate
+the perfections of the Deity; and if he cannot, scientific truth may be
+appropriately called religious truth, especially since such illustrations
+are the highest use to which science can be applied. It is no drawback on
+the argument because so few make this use of science, nor because some
+attempt to array science against religion; for this only shows how men may
+neglect the most important use to which science can be applied, or how
+they can pervert the richest gifts.
+
+I derive a second argument in support of the general position, that
+scientific truth is religious truth, from the fact that _it will survive
+the present world, and its examination become a part of the employments
+and enjoyments of heaven_.
+
+The Scriptures are, indeed, sparing in their details of the specific
+employments of the heavenly world, except so far as worship and praise are
+concerned. But that worship will undoubtedly be the spontaneous impulse of
+the heart, (as it is in this world when acceptable,) in view of some
+manifestations of the divine character. Accordingly, the first sentence of
+the future song of Moses and the Lamb, as the saints stand with the harps
+of God upon the sea of glass, is, _Great and marvellous are thy works,
+Lord God Almighty._ The works of God, then, will be studied in the future
+world; and what is that but the study of the sciences? It is, indeed, said
+by the apostle, that _whether there be tongues, they shall cease_, [that
+is, in a future world;] _whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
+away_; and hence it has sometimes been inferred that all the knowledge
+which we acquire in this world will disappear with this world. But this
+cannot be the meaning of the passage, for in a variety of places the Bible
+represents both the righteous and wicked in another world as conscious of
+what took place on earth; and, unless the nature of the mind be changed
+at death, it is not possible to conceive that the knowledge we acquire
+here should be lost. This passage may refer to one of those gifts of
+inspiration peculiar to apostolic times, called by the sacred writer _the
+word of knowledge_. But more probably he meant to teach that, so much
+brighter and clearer will be the disclosures of another world, that most
+of our present knowledge will be eclipsed and forgotten. But this does not
+imply that our future knowledge will be essentially different in nature
+from that which we acquire on earth. The grand difference is, that now _we
+see through a glass darkly, but then face to face_.
+
+We can, also, see why some branches of science cultivated on earth should
+be very much modified in a future world. There are several, for instance,
+dependent mainly upon the present organic constitution of nature; and of
+such branches only the general principles can survive the destruction of
+the existing framework of animals and plants. Take, for an example,
+anatomy and physiology. We believe, indeed, that the new earth, wherein
+dwelleth righteousness, will be material, and that the bodies of men will
+also be material. But even though these bodies should be organized, we
+learn from the Scriptures that this organization will be very different
+from our present bodies. _They_, says Christ, _who shall be accounted
+worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither
+marry nor are given in marriage, neither can they die any more; for they
+are equal unto the angels._ Paul's vivid description of the future
+spiritual body leaves the impression on the mind that it must be very
+dissimilar to our present bodies. He does not attempt to define the
+spiritual body, probably because we could not understand the definition,
+since it would be so unlike any thing on earth. He represents it as
+incorruptible, powerful, and glorious, entirely in contrast with our
+present bodies, and declares that it is not flesh and blood, and that it
+is not organized like our present bodies.
+
+It seems, then, that we have no certain evidence that the future spiritual
+body will be organized; and in a former lecture we have seen that it is
+not necessary to suppose it endowed with organs. If not, it is obvious
+that the sciences of anatomy and physiology can have no existence in a
+future world, except in the memory. On the other hand, however, there are
+some things in Paul's description of the future body that make it quite
+probable that its organization will be much more exquisite than any thing
+in existence on earth. He represents it as springing from our present
+bodies as a germ from a seed; and this would seem to imply organization;
+though we must not infer too much from a mere rhetorical similitude. But
+he also represents the spiritual body as far transcending the natural body
+in glory and in power; and, since the latter is fearfully and wonderfully
+made, we know of nothing but the most exquisite organization that can give
+the spiritual body such a superiority over the natural. Admitting that
+such will be its structure, and, although the nomenclature of anatomy and
+physiology, which is adapted to flesh and blood, shall pass away and be
+forgotten, yet analogous sciences shall be substituted, based on facts and
+principles far more interesting, and developing relations and harmonies
+far more beautiful. It may be thought, indeed, that, so different will be
+these sciences from any thing on earth, that there can be no common
+principles and no link of connection. But the longer a man studies the
+works of God, the more inclined will he be to regard the universe,
+material and immaterial, as founded on eternal principles; as, in fact, a
+transcript of the divine nature; and that all the changes in nature are
+only new developments of unchanging fundamental laws, not the introduction
+of new laws. Hence the philosopher would infer that in existing nature we
+have the prototype of new heavens and a new earth; and although a future
+condition of things may be as different from the present as the plant is
+from the seed out of which it springs, still, as the seed contains the
+embryo of a future plant, so the future world may, as it were, lie coiled
+up in the present. If in these suggestions there is any truth, there may
+be a germ in the anatomy and physiology of the present world, which shall
+survive the destruction of the present economy, and unfold, in far higher
+beauty and glory, in the more congenial climate of the new heavens and the
+new earth. If so, the great principles of these sciences which are
+acquired on earth, and which are so prolific in exhibitions of divine
+skill, may not prove to be lost knowledge. They shall be recognized as
+types of those far higher and richer developments of organization which
+the spiritual body shall exhibit.
+
+It may be still more difficult to show that such a science as botany will
+have a place in the new earth; simply because we have no certain knowledge
+of the existence of vegetation there. We can infer nothing on this subject
+from the figurative representations of the new Jerusalem in Revelation,
+since the drapery is all derived from this world. But, on the general
+principle already stated, that the universe constitutes but one vast and
+harmonious system, and all the economies upon it, past, present, and
+future, are only different developments of eternal principles, this
+consideration, I say, should make us hesitate before we infer the
+annihilation of the vast vegetable kingdom upon the destruction of the
+present economy of the world. And it does give us an aspect of extreme
+barrenness and cheerlessness to think of the new earth entirely swept of
+every thing analogous to the existing foliage, flowers, and fruits. We
+have attempted to show, however, in another place, that the spiritual body
+may be of such a nature that it might exist in a temperature so high, or
+so low, as to prevent the existence of such organic natures as now exist.
+But how easy for the Deity to create such natures as are adapted to
+extremes of temperature as wide as we now are acquainted with; and that,
+too, on the same type as existing nature; so that the new earth, while yet
+an incandescent, glowing ocean, might teem with animals and plants,
+organized on the same general principles as those of the present earth!
+But there is another supposition. I have endeavored to show that change
+ever has been, and probably ever will be, one of the grand means by which
+mind is introduced to higher spheres of enjoyment; and even though the new
+earth at first should be destitute of organic natures, both animal and
+vegetable, they might be introduced in successive and more perfect
+economies, as a means of increased happiness, especially to rational
+natures. These are, indeed, only conjectures; but the balance of
+probabilities seems to me to incline the mind to the belief that there may
+be a botany as well as zoology in the future world, far transcending their
+prototypes on earth.
+
+Among the things that we may be certain will pass away with the present
+world is the mode of communicating our ideas by language. This the apostle
+expressly declares when he says, _Whether there be tongues_, [that is,
+languages,] _they shall cease._ Now, the acquisition of languages, and the
+right use of language, or rhetoric and oratory, constitute a large part of
+what men call learning on earth. And the question is, whether there are
+any principles on which these branches of knowledge are based that will
+become the elements of new and higher modes of communicating thought in a
+future world. These branches are, indeed, rather to be regarded as arts
+than sciences. Language is the drapery for clothing our thoughts, and,
+unless we have thoughts to clothe, it becomes useless; and rhetoric and
+oratory merely show us how to arrange that drapery in the most attractive
+and impressive style. But there is such a thing as the philosophy of
+language and the philosophy of rhetoric, whose principles are derived
+chiefly from moral and intellectual philosophy. And these, we have reason
+to believe, are eternal. Different as will be the mode of communicating
+thoughts hereafter from the present, we shall find the same philosophical
+principles lying at its foundation. Hence we may expect that there will be
+a celestial language, a celestial rhetoric, and a celestial oratory, in
+whose beauty and splendor those of earth will be forgotten.
+
+I now proceed briefly to consider those sciences which, having little
+connection with material organization, we may more confidently maintain
+will have an existence on the new earth.
+
+It will be hardly necessary to spend much time in proving that
+intellectual philosophy will be one of the subjects of investigation in a
+future world. For it would be strange if the noblest part of God's
+workmanship, for which materialism was created, should cease to be an
+object of inquiry in that world where alone it can be investigated with
+much success. When we consider that the whole train of mental phenomena is
+constantly passing under the mind's own observation, and that a vast
+amount of time and talent has been devoted to the subject ever since man
+began to philosophize,--that is, for more than two thousand years,--it
+would seem as if psychology ere this must have attained the precision and
+certainty of mathematics. But how different is the fact! I speak not of a
+want of agreement in opinion on subordinate points, for these minor
+diversities must be expected in any science not strictly demonstrative.
+Even astronomy abounds with them. But metaphysical philosophers have not
+yet been able to settle fundamental principles. They are not yet agreed as
+to the existence of many of the most familiar and important intellectual
+powers and principles of action. The systems of Locke and Hume,
+constructed with great ability, were overthrown by Reid; Stewart differed
+much from Reid; and Dr. Thomas Brown has powerfully attacked the fabric
+erected by Stewart. And lastly, the phrenologists, with no mean ability,
+have endeavored to show that all these philosophers are heaven-wide of the
+truth, because they have so much neglected the influence of the material
+organs on the mental powers. Now, this diversity of result, arrived at by
+men of such profound abilities, shows that there are peculiar difficulties
+in the study of mind, originating, probably, in the fact that, in this
+world, we never see the operation of mind apart from a gross material
+organization. But in another state, where no organization will exist, or
+one far better adapted to mental operations, we may hope for such a
+clarification of the mental eye that the laws of mind will assume the
+precision and certainty of mathematics, and the relations between mind and
+matter, now so obscure, be fully developed. Then, I doubt not, the
+principles of mental science will furnish a more splendid illustration of
+the divine perfections than any which can now be derived from the material
+world.
+
+Will any one believe that the principles of moral science and mathematics
+will be altered or annihilated by the conflagration of the globe? We
+believe them no more dependent upon the external universe than is the
+divine existence. God exists by a necessity of nature, and these
+principles have the same unchanging and eternal origin. If so, no changes
+in the material world can affect them. So far as we understand them here,
+we shall find them true hereafter; and we shall doubtless find that our
+present knowledge is but the mere twilight of that bright day which will
+there pour its full light upon these subjects. Mathematical and moral
+truths, which we now suppose to be general laws, we shalt then find to be,
+in many cases, only the ramifications of principles far wider, which we
+cannot now discover, and which we could not comprehend were they open to
+inspection. And we shall also find that moral laws are as certain and
+demonstrable as those of mathematics; and that they form the adamantine
+chain which holds together the spiritual world, and gives it symmetry and
+beauty, as mathematics links together the material universe.
+
+Among men who understand biblical interpretation, and also the principles
+of science, the belief in the annihilation of the material universe at the
+close of man's probationary state is fast disappearing, and the more
+scriptural, philosophical, and animating doctrine is embraced, that there
+will be only a change of form and condition of our earth and its
+atmosphere, and that the matter of the universe will survive, and
+successively assume new and more beautiful forms, it may be eternally. If
+so, all those physical sciences, which do not depend upon organic
+structure, will form subjects of investigation in the heavenly world.
+There will be the heavenly bodies, governed by the same laws as at
+present, and offering a noble field for examination. Nor will the heavenly
+inhabitants need, as on earth, visual organs and optical instruments,
+which, at best, afford us only glimpses of the material universe. For
+there, if we rightly conjecture, will they possess the power of learning,
+with almost intuitive certainty and intuitive rapidity, the character and
+movements of the most distant worlds. Nay, it may be that they can pass
+from world to world with the velocity of light, and thus become better
+acquainted with their more intimate condition. Thus will the astronomy of
+the celestial world surpass, beyond conception, that science which even
+now is regarded as unequalled for its sublimity.
+
+We cannot be sure through what material medium the mind will act in a
+future world. But the manner in which we know heat, light, and electricity
+to be transmitted, makes it not impossible that the same or a similar
+medium may be the vehicle through which thought shall be hereafter
+transmitted. If so, we can easily understand how the mind will be able to
+penetrate into the most recondite nature of bodies, and learn the mode in
+which they act upon one another; for the curious medium which conveys
+light and heat does penetrate all bodies, whether they be solid or
+gaseous, cold or hot. Hence we may learn at a glance, in a future world,
+more of the internal constitution of bodies, and of their mutual action,
+than a whole life on earth, spent in the study of chemistry, will unfold.
+Then, too, shall we doubtless find chemical laws operating on a scale of
+grandeur and extent, limited only by the material universe.
+
+Universally diffused as light, heat, and electricity are, and diligently
+as their phenomena have been studied, yet what mystery hangs over their
+nature and operations! They seem to be too subtile, and to approximate too
+nearly to immaterial substances, to be apprehended by our beclouded
+intellects. When, therefore, our means of perception shall be vastly
+improved, as we have reason to believe they will be in eternity, these
+will become noble themes for examination. For who can doubt that agents so
+ethereal in their nature, and apparently indestructible, and even
+unchanged by any means with which we are acquainted, will survive the
+final catastrophe of our world? Probably, indeed, we are allowed to catch
+only glimpses of their nature and operations on earth, so that we may
+safely anticipate an immense expansion of the electricity and optics which
+will form a part of the science of heaven.
+
+We have endeavored to show, in a former lecture, that the future residence
+of the righteous will be material; that it will, in fact, be the present
+earth, purified by the fires of the last day, and rising from the final
+ruin in renovated splendor. We have shown that this is the doctrine of
+Scripture, of philosophy, and of a majority of the Christian church. A
+solid world, then, will exist, whose geology can be studied by glorified
+minds far more accurately and successfully than the globe which we
+inhabit; for those minds will doubtless be able to penetrate the entire
+mass of the globe, and learn its whole structure. The final conflagration
+may, indeed, for the most part, obliterate the traces of present and past
+organic beings. But according to the doctrine of action and reaction in
+mechanics, in chemistry, in electricity, and in organization, every change
+that has ever passed over the earth has left traces of its occurrence
+which can never be blotted out; and it is not improbable that glorified
+minds will possess the power of discovering and reading these records of
+the past, if not on the principle just specified, yet in some other way;
+so that the entire geological history of our planet will probably pass in
+clear light before them. Points which we see only through a glass darkly
+will then stand forth in full daylight; and from the glimpses we are able
+to obtain in this world of its present geological changes, what a mighty
+and interesting series will be seen by celestial minds! If, even by the
+colored rays which come upon us through the twilight of this world, we
+are able to see so many striking illustrations of the divine character
+engraven on the solid rocks, what a noble volume of religious truth shall
+be found written there, when the light of heaven shall penetrate the
+earth's deep foundations! Those foundations, figuratively described in
+revelation as so many precious stones, bearing up a city of pure gold,
+clear as glass, will then reflect a richer light than the costliest
+literal gems which the rocks now yield. The geology of heaven will be
+resplendent with divine glory.
+
+We see, then, with a few probable exceptions, resulting from a difference
+between the organism of heaven and earth, that science will survive the
+ruin of this world, and in a nobler form engage the minds, and interest
+the hearts, of heaven's inhabitants. It will, indeed, form a vast
+storehouse, whence pious minds can draw fuel to kindle into a purer and
+brighter flame their love and their devotion; for thence will they derive
+new and higher developments of the divine character. Shall we not, then,
+admit that to be religious truth on earth which in heaven will form the
+food of perfectly holy minds?
+
+The position which I laid down, at the outset, that scientific truth,
+rightly applied, is religious truth, seems to me most clearly established.
+If admitted, there flow from it several inferences of no small interest,
+which I am constrained to present to your consideration.
+
+_In the first place, I infer from this discussion that the principles of
+science are a transcript of the Divine Character._
+
+I mean by this, that the laws of nature, which are synonymous with the
+principles of science, are not the result of any arbitrary and special
+enactment on the part of the Deity, but flow naturally from his
+perfections; so that, in fact, the varied principles of science are but so
+many expressions of the perfections of Jehovah. If the universe had only a
+transient existence, we might suppose the laws that govern it to be the
+result of a special ordination of the Deity, and destined to perish with
+the annihilation of matter. But since we have no evidence that matter will
+ever perish, and at least probable evidence that it will exist forever,
+the more rational supposition is, that its laws result from the nature of
+things, and are only a development of so many features of the divine
+character. If so, then the most important inquiry in the study of the
+sciences is to learn from them the phases in which they present the divine
+perfections.
+
+_In the second place, it does not follow from this subject that the most
+extensive acquisitions in science necessarily imply the possession of true
+piety._
+
+Piety consists in the exercise of right affections of heart towards God,
+excited by religious truth. Now, I have attempted to show only, that the
+natural tendency of scientific truth is to excite such religious
+affections; but that tendency, like all other good influences, may be, and
+often is, resisted. Hence a man may reach the loftiest pinnacle of
+scientific glory whose heart has never heaved with one religious emotion.
+He may penetrate to the very holy of holies in nature's temple, and yet
+retain his atheism, in spite of the hallowed influences that surround him.
+Nothing is plainer in theory, and, alas! nothing has been more surely
+confirmed by experience, than that the possession of science is not the
+possession of religion.
+
+_In the third place, what a perversion of science it is to employ it
+against religion!_
+
+Rightly understood, and fairly interpreted, there is not a single
+scientific truth that does not harmoniously accord with revealed as well
+as natural religion; and yet, by superficial minds, almost every one of
+these principles has, at one time or another, been regarded as in
+collision with religion, and especially with revelation. One after another
+have these apparent discrepancies melted away before the clearer light of
+further examination. And yet, up to the present day, not a few, closing
+their eyes against the lessons of experience, still fancy that the
+responses of science are not in unison with those from revelation. But
+this is a sentiment which finds no place with the profound and
+unprejudiced philosopher; for he has seen too much of the harmony between
+the works and the word of God to doubt the identity of their origin. He
+knows it to be a sad perversion of scientific truth to use it for the
+discredit of religion. He knows that the inspiration of the Almighty
+breathed the same spirit into science as into religion; and if they utter
+discordant tones, it must be because one or the other has been forced to
+speak in an unnatural dialect.
+
+_In the fourth place, how entirely have the natural tendencies of science
+been misunderstood, when they have been represented as leading to
+religious scepticism!_
+
+I do not deny the fact that many scientific men have been sceptical. But I
+maintain that this has been in spite of science, rather than the result of
+its natural tendency; for we have shown that tendency in all cases to be
+favorable to piety. Other more powerful causes, therefore, must have
+operated to counteract the natural influence of scientific truth in those
+cases where men eminent for science have spurned away from them the
+authority of religion. Among these causes, the pride of knowledge is one
+of the most powerful; and before the mind has attained to very profound
+views of science, this pride does often exert a most disastrous influence
+upon a man's religious feelings.
+
+He is looked up to as an oracle on other subjects, and why should he not
+be equally wise concerning religion? It is natural for him to feel
+desirous, in such circumstances, of rising above all vulgar and
+superstitious views, and of convincing his fellow-men that he has made as
+great discoveries in religion as in science. He, therefore, calls in
+question the prevailing religious opinions. Having once taken his stand
+against the truth, pride does not allow him to recede, and he endeavors to
+convert scientific truth into weapons against religion. And this
+perversion produces the impression, with those not familiar with its
+natural tendency, that science fosters scepticism.
+
+Another cause of this scepticism is a superficial acquaintance with the
+religious bearings of scientific truth. It is one thing to master the
+principles of science in an abstract form, and quite a different thing to
+understand their religious bearings. Moral reasoning is so different from
+physical and mathematical, that often a mind which is a prodigy for the
+latter, is a mere Lilliput in the former. And yet that mind may fancy
+itself as profound in the one as in the other, and may, therefore, be as
+tenacious of its errors in religion as of its demonstrated verities in
+science.
+
+In the following extract it will be seen that Dr. Chalmers imputes the
+religious scepticism connected with science chiefly to a superficial
+acquaintance with science. His remarks may seem unreasonably severe and
+sweeping; nevertheless, they deserve consideration. And they accord with
+the idea of Lord Bacon, who says, "A smattering of philosophy leads to
+atheism; whereas a thorough acquaintance with it brings him back again to
+religion." "We have heard," Dr. Chalmers remarks, "that the study of
+natural science disposes to infidelity. But we feel persuaded that this is
+a danger associated only with a slight and partial, never with a deep,
+and adequate, and comprehensive, view of its principles. It is very
+possible that the conjunction between science and scepticism may at
+present be more frequently realized than in former days; but this is only
+because, in spite of all that is alleged about this our more enlightened
+day and more enlightened public, our science is neither so deeply founded,
+nor of such firm and thorough staple, as it was wont to be. We have lost
+in depth what we have gained in diffusion; having neither the massive
+erudition, nor the gigantic scholarship, nor the profound and well-laid
+philosophy of a period that has now gone by; and it is to this that
+Infidelity stands indebted for her triumphs among the scoffers and
+superficialists of a half-learned generation."--_Chalmers's Works_, vol.
+vii. p. 262.
+
+Briefly, but nobly, has Sir John Herschel vindicated science from the
+charge of sceptical tendencies. "Nothing can be more unfounded than the
+objection which has been taken _in limine_ by persons, well meaning,
+perhaps, certainly of narrow minds, against the study of natural
+philosophy, and, indeed, against all science, that it fosters in its
+cultivators an undue and overweening self-conceit, leads them to doubt the
+immortality of the soul, and to scoff at revealed religion. Its natural
+effect, we may confidently assert, on every well-constituted mind, is and
+must be the direct contrary. No doubt the testimony of natural reason, on
+whatever exercised, must, of course, stop short of those truths which it
+is the object of revelation to make known; but while it places the
+existence and principal attributes of a Deity on such grounds as to render
+doubt absurd, and atheism ridiculous, it unquestionably opposes no natural
+or necessary obstacle to further progress; on the contrary, by cherishing
+as a vital principle an unbounded spirit of inquiry and ardency of
+expectation, it unfetters the mind from prejudices of every kind, and
+leaves it open to every impression of a higher nature, which it is
+susceptible of receiving; guarding only against enthusiasm and
+self-deception by a habit of strict investigation, but encouraging, rather
+than suppressing, every thing that can offer a prospect or hope beyond the
+present obscure and unsatisfactory state. The character of the true
+philosopher is to hope all things not impossible, and to believe all
+things not unreasonable."--_Diss. on Study of Nat. Phil._
+
+In speaking of geology and revelation, Sir John says, "There cannot be two
+truths in contradiction to one another, and a man must have a mind fitted
+neither for scientific nor for religious truth, whose religion can be
+disturbed by geology, or whose geology can be distorted from its character
+of an inductive science by a determination to accommodate its results to
+preconceived interpretations of the Mosaic cosmogony."--_Dr. J. P. Smith's
+Lectures_, p. viii. 4th edition.
+
+"We have often mourned," says M'Cosh, "over the attempts made to set the
+works of God against the word of God, and thereby excite, propagate, and
+perpetuate jealousies fitted to separate parties that ought to live in
+closest union. In particular, we have always regretted that endeavors
+should have been made to depreciate nature with a view of exalting
+revelation; it has always appeared to us to be nothing else than the
+degrading of one part of God's works in the hope thereby of exalting and
+recommending another." "Perilous as it is at all times for the friends of
+religion to set themselves against natural science, it is especially
+dangerous in an age like the present.
+
+"It is no profane work that is engaged in by those who, in all humility,
+would endeavor to remove jealousies between parties whom God has joined
+together, and whom man is not at liberty to put asunder. We are not
+lowering the dignity of science when we command it to do what all the
+objects which it looks at and admires do--when we command it to worship
+God. Nor are we detracting from the honor which is due to religion when we
+press it to take science into its service, and accept the homage which it
+is able to pay. We are seeking to exalt both when we show how nature
+conducts man to the threshold of religion, and when from this point we bid
+him look abroad on the wide territories of nature. We would aid at the
+same time both religion and science, by removing those prejudices against
+sacred truth which nature has been employed to foster; and we would
+accomplish this not by casting aside and discarding nature, but by rightly
+interpreting it.
+
+"Let not science and religion be reckoned as opposing citadels, frowning
+defiance upon each other, and their troops brandishing their armor in
+hostile attitude. They have too many common foes, if they would but think
+of it, in ignorance and prejudice, in passion and vice, under all their
+forms, to admit of their lawfully wasting their strength in a useless
+warfare with each other. Science has a foundation, and so has religion;
+let them unite their foundations, and the basis will be broader, and they
+will be two compartments of one great fabric reared to the glory of God.
+Let the one be the outer and the other the inner court. In the one, let
+all look, and admire, and adore; and in the other, let those who have
+faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let the one be the sanctuary where
+human learning may present its richest incense as an offering to God, and
+the other the holiest of all, separated from it by a veil now rent in
+twain, and in which, on a blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, we pour out the
+love of a reconciled heart, and hear the oracles of the living
+God."--_Method of the Divine Government_, p. 449, _et seq._
+
+_In the fifth place, scientific men and religious men may learn from this
+subject to regard each other as engaged in a common cause._
+
+If it be indeed true that scientific truth, rightly applied, is religious
+truth, then may the religious man be sure that every scientific discovery
+will ultimately contribute to the illustration of the character or
+government of the Deity; and therefore should he encourage and rejoice in
+all such investigations, and bid God speed to the votaries of science.
+Even though he cannot see how the new discovery will illustrate religion,
+and though, when imperfectly developed, it may seem to have an unfavorable
+aspect, he need not fear to confide in the general principle that science
+and religion are alike of divine origin, and must be in harmony. On the
+other hand, the votary of science should remember that the state of
+society most favorable to his pursuits is one in which religion exerts the
+strongest influence. It is for his interest, therefore, merely as a lover
+of science, and much more as a moral and accountable agent, to have pure
+religion prevail. Scientific and religious men should, therefore, look
+upon each other as co-laborers in a most noble cause--in illustrating the
+divine character and government. All jealousy and narrow-minded
+exclusiveness should be banished, and side by side should they labor in
+warm-hearted and generous sympathy. Alas! how different from this has been
+the history of the past! and, to a great extent, how different it is at
+present! "A study of the natural world," says Professor Sedgwick, "teaches
+not the truths of revealed religion, nor do the truths of religion inform
+us of the inductions of physical science. Hence it is that men, whose
+studies are too much confined to one branch of knowledge, often learn to
+overrate themselves, and so become narrow minded. Bigotry is a besetting
+sin of our nature. Too often has it been the attendant of religious zeal;
+but it is perhaps the most bitter and unsparing when found among the
+irreligious. A philosopher, not understanding one atom of their spirit,
+will sometimes scoff at the labors of religious men; and one who calls
+himself religious will, perhaps, return a like harsh judgment, and thank
+God that he is not as the philosophers; forgetting, all the while, that
+man can ascend to no knowledge except by faculties given to him by his
+Creator's hand, and that all natural knowledge is but a reflection of the
+will of God. In harsh judgments, such as these, there is not only much
+folly, but much sin. True wisdom consists in seeing how all the faculties
+of the mind and all parts of knowledge bear upon each other, so as to work
+together to a common end; ministering at once to the happiness of man and
+his Maker's glory."--_Discourse on the Studies of the University_, 5th
+edition, p. 105, appendix.
+
+_In the sixth place, the subject shows us what is the most important use
+to be derived from science._
+
+It does not consist, as men have been supposing, in its application to the
+useful arts, whereby civilization, and human comfort and happiness are so
+greatly promoted; although men have thereby been raised from a state of
+barbarism and advanced to a high point on the scale of refinement. It is
+not the application of science as a means of enlarging and disciplining
+the mind; although this would be a noble result of scientific study. But
+it is its application for the illustration of religion. This, I say, is
+its most important use. For what higher or nobler purpose can any pursuit
+subserve than in developing the character, government, and will of that
+infinite Being, who is the sum and centre of all perfection and happiness?
+Other objects accomplished by science are important, and in the bustle of
+life they may seem to be its chief end. But in the calmness of mature
+years, when we begin to estimate things according to their real value, we
+shall see that the religious bearings of any pursuit far transcend in
+importance all its other relations; for all its other tendencies and uses
+are limited to this world, and will, therefore, be transient; but every
+thing which bears the stamp of religion is immortal, and every thing which
+concerns the Deity is infinite. It is true that but few who are engaged in
+scientific pursuits make much account of their bearings upon man's highest
+interests; but very different will it be in heaven. There, so far as we
+know, all the applications of science to the useful arts will be unknown,
+and the great object of its cultivation will be to gain new and clearer
+views of the perfections and plans of Jehovah, and thus to awaken towards
+him a deeper reverence and a warmer love. And such should be the richest
+fruit of scientific researches on earth.
+
+_In the seventh place, the subject shows us that those who are the most
+eminent in science ought to be the most eminent in piety._
+
+I am far from maintaining that science is a sufficient guide in religion.
+On the other hand, if left to itself, as I fully admit,--
+
+  "It leads to bewilder, and dazzles to blind."
+
+Nor do I maintain that scientific truth, even when properly appreciated,
+will compare at all, in its influence upon the human mind, with those
+peculiar and higher truths disclosed by revelation. All I contend for is,
+that scientific truth, illustrating as it does the divine character,
+plans, and government, ought to fan and feed the flame of true piety in
+the hearts of its cultivators. He, therefore, who knows the most of
+science ought most powerfully to feel this religious influence. He is not
+confined, like the great mass of men, to the outer court of nature's
+magnificent temple, but he is admitted to the interior, and allowed to
+trace its long halls, aisles, and galleries, and gaze upon its lofty domes
+and arches; nay, as a priest he enters the _penetralia_, the holy of
+holies, where sacred fire is always burning upon the altars, where hovers
+the glorious Schekinah, and where, from a full orchestra, the anthem of
+praise is ever ascending. Petrified, indeed, must be his heart, if it
+catches none of the inspiration of such a spot. He ought to go forth from
+it among his fellow-men with radiant glory on his face, like Moses from
+the holy mount. He who sees most of God in his works ought to show the
+stamp of divinity upon his character, and lead an eminently holy life.
+
+_Finally, the subject gives great interest and dignity to the study of
+science._
+
+It is not strange that the religious man should sometimes find his ardor
+damped in the pursuit of some branches of knowledge, by the melancholy
+reflection that they can be of no use beyond this world, and will exist
+only as objects of memory in eternity. He may have devoted many a toilsome
+year to the details and manipulations of the arts; and, so far as this
+world is concerned, his labors have been eminently salutary and
+interesting. But all his labors and researches can be of no avail on the
+other side of the grave; and he cannot but feel sad that so much study and
+efforts should leave results no more permanent. Or he may have given his
+best days to loading his memory with those tongues which the Scriptures
+assure us shall cease; or to those details of material organization which
+can have no place or antitype in the future world. Interesting,
+therefore, as such pursuits have been on earth, nay, indispensable as they
+are to the well being and progress of human society, it is melancholy to
+realize that they form a part of that knowledge which will vanish away.
+
+The mind delights in the prospect of again turning its attention to those
+branches of knowledge which have engrossed and interested it on earth, and
+of doing this under circumstances far more favorable to their
+investigation. And such an anticipation he may reasonably indulge, who
+devotes himself on earth to any branch of knowledge not dependent on
+arrangements and organizations peculiar to this world. He may be confident
+that he is investigating those principles which will form a part of the
+science of heaven. Should he ever reach that pure world, he knows that the
+clogs which now weigh down his mind will drop off, and the clouds that
+obscure his vision will clear away, and that a brighter sun will pour its
+radiance upon his path. He is filling his mind with principles that are
+immortal. He is engaged in pursuits to which glorified and angelic minds
+are devoting their lofty powers. Other branches of knowledge, highly
+esteemed among men, shall pass away with the destruction of this world.
+The baseless hypotheses of science, falsely so called, whether moral,
+intellectual, or physical, and the airy phantoms of a light and fictitious
+literature, shall all pass into the limbo of forgetfulness. But the
+principles of true science, constituting, as they do, the pillars of the
+universe, shall bear up that universe forever. How many questions of deep
+interest, respecting his favorite science, must the philosopher in this
+world leave unanswered, how many points unsettled! But when he stands upon
+the vantage-ground of another world, all these points shall be seen in the
+bright transparencies of heaven. In this world, the votaries of science
+may be compared with the aborigines who dwell around some one of the
+principal sources of the River Amazon. They have been able, perhaps, to
+trace one or two, or it may be a dozen, of its tributaries, from their
+commencement in some mountain spring, and to follow them onwards as they
+enlarge by uniting, so as to bear along the frail canoes, in which,
+perhaps, they pass a few hundred miles towards the ocean. On the right and
+on the left, a multitude of other tributaries swell the stream which
+carries them onward, until it seems to them a mighty river. But they are
+ignorant of the hundred other tributaries which drain the vast eastern
+slope of the Andes, and sweep over the wide plains, till their united
+waters have formed the majestic Amazon. Of that river in its full glory,
+and especially of the immense ocean that lies beyond, the natives have no
+conception; unless, perhaps, some individual, more daring than the rest,
+has floated onward till his astonished eye could scarcely discern the
+shore on either hand, and before him he saw the illimitable Atlantic,
+whitened by the mariner's sail and the crested waves; and he may have gone
+back to tell his unbelieving countrymen the marvellous story. Just so is
+it with men of science. They are able to trace with clearness a few rills
+of truth from the fountain head, and to follow them onward till they unite
+in a great principle, which at first men fancy is the chief law of the
+universe. But as they venture still farther onward, they find new
+tributary truths coming in on either side, to form a principle or law
+still more broad and comprehensive. Yet it is only a few gifted and
+adventurous minds that are able, from some advanced mountain top, to catch
+a glimpse of the entire stream of truth, formed by the harmonious union of
+all principles, and flowing on majestically into the boundless ocean of
+all knowledge, the Infinite Mind. But when the Christian philosopher
+shall be permitted to resume the study of science in a future world, with
+powers of investigation enlarged and clarified, and all obstacles removed,
+he will be able to trace onward the various ramifications of truth, till
+they unite into higher and higher principles, and become one in that
+centre of centres, the Divine Mind. That is the Ocean from which all truth
+originally sprang, and to which it ultimately returns. To trace out the
+shores of that shoreless Sea, to measure its measureless extent, and to
+fathom its unfathomable depths, will be the noble and the joyous work of
+eternal ages. And yet eternal ages may pass by and see the work only
+begun.
+
+
+
+
+Footnotes:
+
+[1] I ought surely to except the work of Professor Bachman, which I have
+not read, but which was certainly written by an able naturalist.
+
+[2] I am not aware that this reply to the objection was ever advanced,
+till the publication, by myself, last year, of a sermon on the
+Resurrections of Spring, in a small volume of sermons, entitled Religious
+Lectures on some peculiar Phenomena in the Four Seasons. I may be
+mistaken; but I cannot see why this reply does not completely meet the
+difficulty, and free an important doctrine from an incubus under which it
+has long lain half smothered.
+
+[3] I hope it is not vanity to say that this subject, also, was first
+suggested in the sermon referred to in the preceding note. If correct, it
+opens an animating prospect to the afflicted Christian.
+
+[4] The first edition of this work was republished in this country. In
+England it has reached the fifth edition, much enlarged.
+
+[5] Two or three years since Professor Bronn described twenty-six thousand
+six hundred and seventy-eight species; and, upon an average, one thousand
+species are discovered every year. M. Alcide D'Orbigny, in 1850, stated
+the number of mollusks and radiated animals alone at seventeen thousand
+nine hundred and forty-seven species.
+
+[6] The news has just reached us that this venerable man is no more. I was
+present last summer at Homerton, when he resigned the charge of that
+beloved institution. From his addresses and his prayers, so redolent of
+the spirit of heaven, I might have known that he was pluming his wings for
+his upward flight. I am thankful that I was permitted to see the man,
+whom, of all others in Europe, I most desired to see. But Dr. Buckland I
+did not meet; for he was in an insane hospital, with no prospect of
+recovery. Alas! how sad to think of such Christian philosophers, so soon
+removed from the world, or from all concern in it! Could I dare to hope
+that I shall meet them and kindred spirits before the throne of our common
+Redeemer, how should I exclaim with Cicero, "_O preclarum diem, quum in
+illud animorum concilium coelumque proficiscar, ut quum ex hac turba et
+colluvione discedam!_"
+
+[7] This had always seemed to me a very strong case, as I had seen it
+described. But a recent visit to the spot (September, 1850) did not make
+so strong an impression upon me as I expected. In the first place, I found
+the head of Lake Lehman, where the Rhone enters, to be so narrow, that the
+detritus brought down by the river cannot spread itself out very far
+laterally. Secondly, I found, on ascending the Rhone, that it is every
+where a very rapid stream; and, on account of the origination of its
+branches from glaciers, it is always loaded with mud. So that the process
+of deposition must be going on continually. This cannot be the case in one
+in ten of other rivers, whose waters, for most of the year, are clear.
+This case, then, is only a quite unusual exception, and cannot be regarded
+as a standard by which to judge of the rate of deposition at present, or
+in past times.
+
+[8] For a much more minute and extended account of the different modes
+proposed to reconcile geology and revelation, and indeed of their entire
+connection, I would refer to several papers in the American Biblical
+Repository, especially to the number for October, 1835, p. 261. The
+progress of science has, indeed, rendered it desirable to change a few
+sentences in those articles; but all their essential principles I still
+maintain.
+
+[9] See Stuart and Hodge on Rom. v. 12; also Chalmers's Lectures on
+Romans, Lecture 26; and Harris's Man Primeval, p. 178.
+
+[10] Johnston's Physical Atlas, pp. 66, 76, (Philadelphia edition, 1850.)
+
+[11] Rev. Joseph Tracy, Bibliotheca Sacra, Oct. 1850, p. 614.
+
+[12] See the Frontispiece.
+
+[13] The subject of this inference is treated with great ability and
+candor in the _Biblotheca Sacra_ for November, 1849, by my friend and
+colleague, Rev. Joseph Haven, Jr., professor of intellectual and moral
+philosophy in Amherst College.
+
+[14] In this description I have attempted to give exactly the experience
+of myself and John Tappan, Esq., with our wives, who ascended Snowdon in
+June, 1850. A few days after, we ascended Cader Idris, another mountain of
+Wales, near Dolgelly, where the views were perhaps equally wild and
+sublime, with the addition of a vast number of trap columns, and a
+pseudo-crater, with its jagged and frowning sides.
+
+[15] When I visited this spot, in September, 1850, I was so fortunate as
+to get sight of a party that had just commenced the descent from the
+summit of Mont Blanc. To the naked eye they were invisible, but the whole
+train could be distinctly seen through a telescope. This was the third
+party that had ascended that mountain in the summer of 1850. I doubt not
+that the dangers have been exaggerated, and that the excursion will become
+common.
+
+There are other points of great interest around Chamouny, which I have not
+noticed, some of which I visited, but not all. I have mentioned only the
+most common.
+
+[16] In September, 1850, I visited this well, and found the water running
+still, at the rate of six hundred and sixty gallons per minute at the
+surface, and half that amount at the top of a tube one hundred and twelve
+feet high, from whence it could be carried to any part of Paris; and, in
+fact, does supply some of the streets. I tasted the water, and found it
+pleasant, though warm, (84 deg. Fahrenheit.)
+
+[17] I adopt this division from an able American review of the "Vestiges."
+
+[18] For the details of this remarkable subject, see the "Parthenogenesis"
+of Professor Owen, p. 76, (London, 1849;) Steenstrup's "Alternation of
+Generations," published by the Ray Society in 1845, and Sedgwick's
+"Discourse on the Studies of the University," Supplement, p. 193, (London,
+1850.)
+
+[19] The subject of this lecture has been ably discussed, within a few
+years, in most of the leading periodicals in Europe and America, though I
+must say not always with the candor calculated to do the most good. The
+two most able volumes that have fallen into my hands, on the subject, are
+Professor Sedgwick's "Discourse on the Studies of the University," &c.,
+(fifth ed., London, 1850,) and Hugh Miller's "Footprints of the Creator,"
+now republished in this country.
+
+[20] This subject has been treated more fully, and I hope more
+satisfactorily, in a little work of mine, which has just reached its
+second edition, entitled Religious Lectures on Peculiar Phenomena in the
+Four Seasons, (Amherst, 1851.) See the first Lecture, on the Resurrections
+of Spring.
+
+
+
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