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CHAPTER IX. 



GEOLOGY. 



THE modern study of geology, the history of 

 which may be carried back as far as the begin- 

 ning of the sixteenth century, was originally as- 

 sociated with a deep reverence for the inspired 

 writings, which greatly modified the views of 

 enquirers regarding this interesting subject, and 

 which, being unhappily connected with the pre- 

 judices and misconceptions of a dark and super- 

 stitious age, led not unfrequently to the mystifi- 

 cation of the science, and the retardation of its 

 progress. In later times, however, and especi- 

 ally within the last half century, this study has 

 fallen into the hands of men of sceptical minds, 

 who, running into an opposite extreme, have not 

 only rejected the erroneous views respecting 

 scripture which misled former writers, but have 

 boldly renounced all the information derived from 

 this infallible source, and have freely indulged in 

 speculations altogether irreconcilable with the 

 Divine record. Indeed, it would appear, that 

 there has of late been a studious attempt, not 



