AS RELATED TO RELIGION. 147 



ters, and unfolded through all succeeding geologic 

 ages. 



As beneath the corner-stone of human structures 

 are placed mementoes for coming generations, that 

 they may know more perfectly the works of their 

 fathers who reared the walls, so beneath the founda- 

 tion stones of this earth have been deposited, by the 

 Great Architect, the records of His works, for the 

 study of him who was to be brought last upon the 

 scene, the most perfect work of His hand. 



In treating of the relations of Natural History to 

 Religion, we are not disposed to ignore the fact 

 that, from the progression of the plan of creation, 

 from the simplest organic forms in the lowest rocks 

 to the highest plants and animals of the present era, 

 an argument has been drawn by some against the 

 necessity of a personal God. Misinterpreting the 

 evidence of progression of the plan as new species 

 were introduced, they have applied the law of pro- 

 gression to single species, and thus are led to believe 

 that the forms in the lower rocks have gradually 

 changed, and in consequence of these changes that 

 they present in their upward development all the 



