Fa 
Sequel to the Vestiges of Creation. 251 
later, to the extent of the mind’s capabilities, truth will out. It 
becomes none who have faith in the revealed Word of God, to 
view science with a distrustful eye ; they should rather unite their 
energies in its promotion. a ee 
Facts most surprising are daily coming to light, gradually 
widening our field of vision. ‘The mysteries of one day are re- 
solved into commonplace truthsthe next. The study of Nature, 
by direct observation, is thus preparing us for nearer and more 
glorious views of the great system of creation, and more exalted 
conceptions of its Author. Should the theory of the writer of 
the Vestiges be finally established, faith and religion would still 
stand immovable, supported by reason as well as the inspired 
Word. We may, however, reasonably doubt the speculations of 
a writer who denies the judgment of science, and endeavors by 
specious argument to withdraw himself from such a tribunal.* 
The Sequel to the Vestiges reviews the ground passed over in 
the previous work, replying to the objections of its opponents, 
admitting some difficulties, and setting aside others. ‘The style is 
fair and candid, and the subject is very skillfully managed. After 
some remarks on the nebular theory, the author proceeds to estab- 
lish, by farther arguments and facts, the main point in his hypo- 
thesis; that there has been a progressive origin of the species, 
both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms; in other words, that 
the higher species in the scale of life, proceeded from those be- 
low by gradual development. The gradation observed among 
organic remains in the rocks of successive ages, is the grand fact 
appealed to. 
That such a gradation may to some extent be perceived, is a 
fact generally admitted by geologists. Observations however do 
not bring to light the transition steps which the hypothesis 
demands. ‘They indicate simply that at different periods, the 
orders of plants and animals were of a character fitted for the 
various conditions of the globe; and that as the earth was pre- 
pared for the higher orders, they appeared successively upon it. 
Of those orders which existed during the earlier periods, the spe- 
cies are often the most perfect which the history of organic life 
presents ; and we even perceive in some instances a higher devel- 
Lo OE ———————— eee 
iis Sequel, pp: 123—127. “ It must be before another tribunal that this new phi- 
losophy is to be truly and righteously judged.” 
