148 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



stration of the truth of the Mosaic history, which nothing 

 else can afford. 



As, however, you cannot, even if disposed, give me the 

 opportunity of laying the evidence fully before you, I can 

 not expect to convince you by the few pages which I now 

 send ; but they may serve to vindicate me from the appear 

 ance of arrogance and presumption in the hasty and rather 

 abrupt remarks with which our interview in the " War 

 Eagle " terminated. I have no sympathy with the specula 

 tions to which you then alluded. 



With the Bible in my hands, and the world before me, I 

 think I perceive a perfect harmony between science and 

 revealed religion, and it is still more ably sustained in the 

 late work of Sir David Brewster * on the " Plurality of 

 Worlds," which you have doubtless seen. When we parted, 

 you justly remarked that truth is our common object. It 

 cannot be doubted that there is a perfect harmony between 

 the works and the word of God. It is devoutly to be de 

 sired that this harmony should be perceived and acknowl 

 edged by all the friends of truth ; and it is my mature con 

 viction that a full and just comprehension of the works as 

 well as the word of God, will conduct all honest and intel 

 ligent minds to the same conclusion. 



With high respect, and the most agreeable recollections 

 of our late protracted interview, I remain, my dear sir, 

 with kind regard, 



Truly your friend and servant, 



B. SILLIMAN. 



TO THE REV. GARDINER SPRING, D. D. 



NEW HAVEN, September 10, 1854. 



MY DEAR SIR, I ought, ere this, to have thanked you 

 for your very kind letter of July 26, in reply to my note of 



* A sage equally distinguished for science and piety. In my youth I en 

 joyed the honor of his personal acquaintance, and have corresponded with 

 him since. 



