M. Frayssinous'*s Defence of Christianity, 87 



By the creation of the heaven we can only, however, under- 

 stand space, and the bodies which compose the universe, all which 

 might then have been, as is now, comprehended in that in- 

 determinate acceptation. But this creation does not absolutely 

 suppose the existence of stars in the state in which we now see 

 them. The sun might form part of the creation of the heaven, 

 without having yet that luminous lustre by which it is now dis- 

 tinguished ; nor do scientific theories oppose the admission of 

 such a hypothesis. Thus there is nothing to prevent us from sup- 

 posing that the manifestation of the stars took place only on the 

 fourth day, or at the fourth epoch. The author has not even 

 thought it necessary to mention this observation. 



He gives an account of the opinions of geologists or natural 

 philosophers, respecting the original fluidity of the globe, to 

 shew that, in fact, the earth was covered with water. This 

 opinion is at the present day one of the most incontestible facts. 

 At the same time, observations leave no doubt with regard to 

 the igneous nature of the fluidity of the globe at the beginning ; 

 but scarcely had the cooling of its surface permitted the gases 

 of the immense atmosphere which surrounded it to condense, 

 when in fact the surface of the earth was entirely covered with 

 water. Thus the account of the first day''s work must be con- 

 sidered by every mind, not led away with prejudice, and not 

 seeking in it for that strictness of expression with which the 

 very general terms in which it is delivered are incompatible, as 

 being in perfect accordance with the facts and theories ad- 

 mitted by science. 



On the second day, the waters which enveloped our plaiiet, 

 were divided in such a manner^ that a portion rose into the up- 

 per regions. On the third day, the dry land began to appear ; 

 plants sprung Jrom its hosom^ verdure and flowers embeUish- 

 ed it. On the fourth, the sun, the moon, and the stars shone in 

 the firmament. On the fifth, fishes swam in the waters, birds 

 flew in the air, reptiles crept in the dust, and quadrupeds walked 

 on the surface of the earth. Lastly, on the sixth, mmi appeared. 

 The Bishop passes rapidly over all the facts contained in this 

 part of the Mosaic record, with the exception of the work 

 of the sixth day ; he has not judged it expedient or neces- 

 sary, it would appear, to explain each of these facts in detail. 



