REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 4Q5 



the former are at variance with each other, and that neither, taken separately, is 

 in accordance with reason, but merely in obedience to blind impulses, were no 

 difficult matter ; but space, and a sincere desire to do our author some kind of 

 justice, as well as the objects of our Journal, forbid it. 



Our author divides his book into the following sections : — 1. the evidence of 

 physical truth ; 2. the nature of physical truth ; 3. the relation of physical truth 

 to Natural Theology ; 4. the relation of Physical Science and of Natural Theology 

 to Revelation. The subject is so extensive, that we shall select one section for 

 consideration, and briefly glance at some of its principal contents. It shall be 

 the fourth, as there, we find, we have made the greatest number of marks on 

 perusal. 



Natural Theology, says Prof. Powell, is decried at one time as weak ; at 

 another, as dangerous ; despised by those ignorant of its nature, and " dreaded by 

 those who tremble at the dawn of truth and free inquiry, for their dogma?, 

 whether of atheism, fanaticism, or orthodoxy." (p. 218.) The history of past 

 ages supplies us with familiar examples of this position. And although the 

 particular points which now agitate the world are different from what they then 

 were, the grand question still is, " whether we are to adhere to the letter of 

 Scriptural representation in opposition to the testimony of inductive research, or 

 whether it is safe, rational, or consistent with an enlightened and well-grounded 

 faith, to stake the reception or rejection of Christianity on the credit of these 

 particular expressions." (p. 236.) Mr. Powell believes Scripture to be inspired, 

 but that, seeing the contradictory nature of many of its own statements, and of 

 these compared with the results of modern science, it is absolutely necessary to 

 test the whole of the Bible by reason and experience. Alluding to the Mosaic 

 account of the creation, he says : — 



" From the time of Moses downwards, no one has ever imagined the secret meaning of the 

 description to the present day, and, when disclosed, it affords no instruction, since it cannot be so 

 much as understood till the facts have been learnt from geological study, and when they have 

 been, it is superfluous." — p. 249. 



For a nearly similar opinion of our own see our present volume, p. 444. — The 

 claims of the Bible on our attention, justly observes our author, must rest on 

 natural-theological testimony ; he adds, that those who would construct systems 

 of philosophy from the Bible, and " the Bible-geologists of the present day, who 

 attempt to force its language into accordance with philosophical results," pursue 

 this " mistaken principle of reasoning," and " make revelation the guide to philo- 

 sophy." (p. 238.) These gentlemen build their houses upon the sand, and fail to 

 anticipate the consequences. " Scriptural Geology is as preposterous in principle 

 as statutable Geometry. By the same rule we ought to criticise Poetry on the 



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