312 Natural Theology. 



We need not add a single word. It seems impos- 

 sible that any chemist and geologist can be found, 

 who fails to see the grand simplicity and accuracy 

 of this record, as corresponding with those ages in 

 the history of our earth that pass before him as his 

 sciences unravel the mystery of the rocks. He 

 sees, indeed, the result produced by what are called 

 the forces of matter, while the Hebrew law-giver 

 keeps ever before us the personal Creator. 



The globe is now prepared for life. Its tempera- 

 ture is reduced, and the pillars of the earth have 

 been set No lofty mountains- are yet possible, but 

 land just above the waters. 



Up to this point, all changes could be produced 

 by the known forces of matter ; but for the introduc- 

 tion of life upon the globe, we have no possible ac- 

 count to give, except that it was done by creative 

 power. A new principle was joined to matter. 

 Let us inquire what can be learned from Geology 

 of the introduction of life. First, we infer that 

 plants were created before animals, because all ani- 

 mals depend upon them directly or indirectly for 

 food. We judge that many existed of which we 

 have no direct knowledge, the evidence of their 

 existence having been blotted out, unless it be found 

 in veins of plumbago in the early rocks. But it is 

 well settled that the earliest plants of which we find 

 any remains were of the lowest type the flowerless 

 plants, algae, ferns, and the like. The most abun- 

 dant vegetation was in the coal period, when those 

 vast accumulations were stored away for our use 



