PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 295 



was, only two centuries ago, by those of Galileo, who, in that enlight- 

 ened period, suffered the penalty of a long imprisonment, and nearly 

 incurred the severer torments of death at the stake, for asserting 

 those truths which no man now thinks of denying, and which have 

 been confirmed and established by the still more important disco- 

 veries of our own immortal Newton. That most able and highly- 

 gifted individual who now adorns the University of Cambridge, and 

 that college in it which has to boast the names of the two greatest 

 philosophers of any age or country — for what can be greater than 

 those of Bacon and Newton ? — and whose own name, hereafter, 

 will be added to a list of worthies unexampled in the annals of 

 science, and claiming the admiration of the latest posterity : he, I 

 say, who has made the geology of this county, in particular, the 

 object of his special attention — and after this description of him it 

 is needless to add the name of Professor Sedgwick — in that match- 

 less and profound discourse which he has published on the studies 

 of the University — a work which, in a small compass, contains 

 volumes, and which can never be too much read, or too seriously 

 reflected on — has abundantly and unanswerably replied to all such 

 objections. It will never be found that real science is at variance 

 with scriptural truth. It may help us to a better and a clearer 

 interpretation of those truths which are recorded in scripture, but 

 never will it impugn the sacred oracles, or promote the cause of 

 irreligion or infidelity. If it enlarges our views of this wonderful 

 creation, if it enables us more clearly to understand the mechanism 

 of the world we live in, and the admirable contrivances for the pre- 

 servation of the creatures which inhabit it, and the unerring laws 

 by which the worlds around us are moved, and governed, and 

 retained in their several orbits, or in their dependent systems, it can 

 only lead us to contemplate, with more reverential awe, the incon- 

 ceivable power and majesty of that Infinite and Almighty Being who 

 called them into existence by his single fiat, ' who spake the word 

 and they were made, who commanded and it stood fast.' 



*' With these views, then, let us approach the great book of crea- 

 tion, and apply ourselves to study its pages, with feelings of grati- 

 tude and veneration towards Him who formed it. Of love for the 

 goodness, of reverence for the power, of awe for the majesty, of 

 admiration for the wisdom displayed in all His works, of thank- 

 fulness for our own creation, for our preservation, and for all the 

 blessings of this life ; and let us remember that this world is but a 

 passage to another, and that natural religion is but the portal by 

 which we may approach revealed. While, therefore, we thus con- 

 template the wonders of the world we now inhabit, and reflect on 

 the dominion which is given us over the inferior creatures in it, let 

 our hearts overflow with pious gratitude, and dutiful reliance on 

 those glorious promises of a still brighter and better world, which 

 are held out to us in the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is 

 the great end to which all our studies should be directed, and to 



