OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 59 
of events, but that it was created at once, and as we find it. Such an opinion can only be held in 
direct violation of all natural laws and analogies, and by forfeiting all the arguments and principles 
of Natural Theology. For if, when we examine the curiously organized eyes of the Trilobite, 
embedded in the older rocks, we are not allowed to infer adaptation to light and other external objects, 
why then Paley’s “watch” presents no evidences of design, and the arguments drawn from it are 
worthless. 
The interpretation of the Mosaic narrative of the creation that is most in accordance with the 
discoveries of Geology, is that which supposes the “beginning,” mentioned in the first verse, to be 
atime immeasurably distant from the “first day,” mentioned in the fifth verse, and that in the 
interval between this “beginning” and the “ first day,” all the phenomena of Geology were brought 
about; and that the subsequent days refer to the present state of the earth’s surface, and to the 
creation of existing races of animals and plants. This is the view taken by many Geologists, and 
by those Divines who have examined both sides of the question. 
This interpretation was not first proposed by Geologists: some of the Fathers of the Church 
separated the “beginning” from the days of creation; and the notation of Luther’s Bible goes to 
show that he supposed the creation to commence with the third verse of the Mosaic narrative. 
Others suppose that the days of the Mosaic narrative are to be understood figuratively, for periods 
of time, of indefinite length. But whatever view be taken of this subject, no one need attempt to 
press Geology into any irreligious service. No science can be more worthy of the attention of the 
Christian student, for none can lead him more directly to the Creator, as the First Cause. It takes 
him back to the time when neither man nor beast nor bird nor creeping thing nor plant existed, 
and when even the oldest rocks hada less permanent form. In a word, it shows him that all 
save the Almighty had a beginning—that He alone is eternal. 
