in the First Chapte)' of Genesis. 161 



supposed to be used in a strict or philosophical sense, how com- 

 pletely unsatisfactory must our conclusions remain ? Such I 

 conceive to be the view which common sense bids us take of the 

 interpretation of the book of Genesis. The language of the 

 Hebrews, in times long subsequent to the date of that book, 

 maj' not have so far changed as to pi-event us from rightly un- 

 derstanding, generally, the history it narrates ; but there ap- 

 pears to be no reasonable ground for venturing to pronounce 

 with confidence on the minute shades of meaning of allied words, 

 and, on such foundations, to support an argument opposed to the 

 evidence of our senses. 



I should have hesitated in offering these remarks respecting 

 the right interpretation of the Mosaic account of the creation, 

 had the argument depended on any acquaintance with the lan- 

 guage in which the Sacred Volume is written, or on any refine- 

 ments of criticism, had I possessed that knowledge ; but, in es- 

 timating its validity, or in supplying a more cogent argument, 

 I entreat the i-eader to consider well the difSculties which it is 

 necessary to meet. 



1st, The Church of England, if we may judge by the writings 

 of those placed in authority, has hitherto considered it to have 

 been expressly stated in the book of Genesis, that the Earth was 

 created about six thousand years ago. 



9.dly, Those observers and philosophers who have spent their 

 lives in the study of geology, have arrived at the conclusion, 

 that there exists irresistible evidence that the date of the Earth's 

 first formation is far anterior to the epoch supposed to be assign- 

 ed to it by Moses ; and it is now admitted by all competent per- 

 sons, that the formation, even of those strata which are nearest 

 the surface, must have occupied vast periods, — probably millions 

 of years, — in. arriving at their present state. 



Sdly, Many of the most distinguished members of the Church 

 of England now distinctly and formally admit the fact of such 

 a lengthened existence of the Earth which we inhabit ; for it is 

 so stated in the eighth Bridgewater Treatise, a work written by 

 the Professor of Geology in the University of Oxford — .himself 

 holding an office of dignity in that church, and cxp'eysly ap- 

 pointed to write upon that subject by the Archbishop of Can- 

 terbury and the Eishop of London. 



VOL. XXIII. NO. XLV. — JULY 1837. L 



