PREFA CE. v ji 



their discussion does not lie exclusively within the do 

 main of Natural Science. Such are the Antiquity of 

 the Human Race, the Unity of the Race, the Primeval 

 Condition of Man, Harmony of the Mosaic and Geologic 

 Cosmogonies, the Mosaic Deluge, Natural Evil, Develop 

 ment, the Foreshadowing of Man s Birthplace, the Unity 

 of Creation, Teleological and Homological Design in Na 

 ture. In the mean time, the suggestions thrown out in 

 this work may be of service to some of those who may 

 be seeking for the grounds of a rational religious belief. 



The elucidation of the great problems of philosophic 

 or speculative theology is, indeed, the highest function 

 of science. All our learning would, in reality, be but 

 the &quot; vanity&quot; which it is sometimes reproached with be 

 ing if it could reflect no light upon the origin, the na 

 ture, the duty, and the destiny of man. It is not for its 

 facts, but for the significance of the facts, that science is 

 valuable. To accumulate the data of science is good ; 

 to interpret them is the noblest prerogative of a thinking 

 being. Science interpreted is theology. Science prose 

 cuted to its conclusions leads to God. 



To all, then, who love to hold communion with the 

 thoughts embodied in the &quot;visible forms&quot; of Nature; 

 who delight to contemplate the sublime, persistent, all- 

 comprehending, and beneficent plans of Deity unfolding 

 through geological cycles toward definite and intelligible 

 ends ; in short, to all who love to 



&quot;Look through Nature up to Nature s God,&quot; 



these pages are respectfully submitted. 



THE AUTHOB. 

 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, October, 1860. 



