Remarks on Prof. Stuart's examination of Gen. I. 129 



Is the word day susceptible of comprehending Mr. Faber's thirty 

 six thousand years of creation ; or the six hundred thousand years of 

 Mr. McCulloch ; or the quadrillions of millions of others; or the in- 

 definite periods of a more cautious and less extravagant class of ge- 

 ologists ?" The geologists reply, that according to Prof. Stuart him- 

 self, "in Psalm 148: 4, the waters which are above the heavens, 

 that is, the expanse or firmament, are called upon to praise Jeho- 

 vah ;" and if this allusion to the first chaper of Genesis is an accom- 

 modation to received opinions and popular language, that is precise- 

 ly their own view of the reference in Exodus. They add, that as 

 to the language of Moses, in his history of the creation, " realities in 

 all cases are in one sense described, that is, something that is real and 

 true ; but the manner in which these things do actually exist, is not 

 described ;" that the distinct periods they consider as " realities," the 

 twenty four hours or the length of these periods, as " manner;" and 

 they put the question with some emphasis, what in their application 

 of this principle, is more inconsistent with philology, than in Prof. 



If a " solid and extended" firma- 

 : and if " water above the firma-. 



Stuart's own application of it : 



? 



ment," and " windows" in the firmament, may mean nothing at all y 

 why may not twenty four hours be understood as a definite time for 

 an indefinite? As to quadrillions of millions of years, Prof. Stuart 

 himself says, that the heavenly bodies are represented by Moses as 



firmament 



ed 



i. e. he would admit that their actual distances are incalculably great- 

 er, than would be inferred from a literal interpretation of the text. 

 Grant us, say the geologists, to be as free in construing the length of 

 the Mosaic day, as Prof. Stuart, from his admissions, is in construing 

 the distance of the Mosaic firmament ; that is, allow us to take the 

 same liberties with time, that he necessarily must with space, and 

 we will rest satisfied. 



But Prof. Stuart rejoins, (p. 52.) " Any speculation that leaves 

 untouched the real affirmations which Moses himself makes, I can 

 easily concede that any one should indulge; and this without theo- 



logical or philological offence. 



geola 



gist bids me pass by, or wink out of sight, or turn awry, any of the 



Moses 



must beg leave to demur, or to deny the correctness of his theory." 

 The geologists reply, Do we not read in the first Chapter of Genesis 

 Vol. XXX.— No. 1. 17 



