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grounds of Metaphysics ; and establish the processes of Chemistry by the precepts 

 of Rhetoric." (p. 240.) 



" Too many nominal Christians entertain only the most miserable idea of the 

 nature of the gospel they profess to believe ; their only notion consists in a con- 

 fused general impression of a. certain sacredness in Scripture," which causes them 

 to be alarmed lest its sanctity should be invaded either by themselves or by 

 others. " Adopting their creed blindly from education, too many hold their religion 

 by a most loose and uncertain tenure, and are so lamentably confused in their 

 notions of its nature, that they dread a formidable shock to Christianity in every 

 physical discovery" (p. 242.), as though, if the Bible were infallible, a knowledge 

 of God's works would bring proof of the falsity of His word. " There are some 

 who join most vehemently in the cry against science in general, and Geology in 

 particular, as dangerous to religion, upon no sincere grounds of religious con- 

 viction." (p. 244.) We may add, there are many who, professing to believe 

 Geology, refuse to receive its results save where they square with preconceived 

 notions : these, too, have not, necessarily, any sincere religious conviction for 

 their basis. But far greater is the number of those who, comprehending neither 

 Bible nor Science, uphold the one because sanctioned by education, party, or 

 custom, and reject the other upon grounds equally rational. " The one party 

 seeking to support religion by the propagation of falsehood, the other by the 

 suppression of truth, both agree in treating truth as if it were falsehood, and thus 

 give its enemies the fairest ground to think it so." (p. 245.) 



Still considering Science in relation to the first chapter of Genesis, Mr. Powell 

 remarks : — ■ 



" It is matter of sincere regret still to see some excellent writers keeping up this temporizing 

 system, when it would be so much more worthy a course boldly to front the difficulty, and avow 

 the contradiction in plain terms ; but instead of this, we observe them exerting their utmost 

 ingenuity to elude the contradictions, either by disguising the facts, or glossing over the words with 

 the most flimsy interpretations. * * * The subject, when simply and calmly considered, is 

 plain, and hardly open to misapprehension ; but men cannot be brought to consider it simply and 

 calmly."— p. 247. 



After discussing more minutely the Geology of Moses, and the various inter- 

 pretations it has received, Prof. Powell concludes the chapter by " assuming that 

 the inquirer and interpreter are both sincere seekers of truth." (p. 253.) Is it, 

 then, possible that those who profess to obtain their morality from the Bible, and 

 who believe that the Bible is inspired, can need to be reminded that they ought 

 to be lovers of truth ? Alas ! they have yet to learn that what is true is of God, 

 and must, therefore, be beneficial. 



Our author distinctly allows the falsity of the Mosaic account j but at the same 

 time he attempts to justify it, on the score of " adaptation to the ideas of the 



