148 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



stration of the truth of the Mosaic history, which nothing 

 .111 afford. 



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

 opportunity of laying the evidence fully before you, I can- 

 xpect 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 

 Kaijr " 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 

 ;iled 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- 

 sin d th;it this harmony should be perceived and acknowl- 

 (1 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 T1IK REV. GARDINER SPRING, D. D. 



NEW HAVEN, September 10, 1854. 



MY MM: SIK, I ought, ere this, to have thanked you 

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



il tor science and piety. In my youth I en- 

 i! acquaintance, and have corresponded with 

 ;nce. 



