142 DISCOURSES OF FATHER HYACINTHE. 



doubt, the convulsions of nature have preceded the 

 existence of man : we find tlieii* marks on the crust of 

 the earth, so often fitted up for the residence of life, 

 and, in turn, so often torji to ruins. They constitute 

 that Genesis of science, in appearance so contrary, in 

 reality so conformed to the Genesis of the Bible. But 

 when Adam appeared, born at once of the ruddy clay 

 and of the breath of God, the earth kept silence before 

 him: the sacred tie that binds together the physical 

 and moral laws was drawn fost in his consciousness. 

 Therein, perfect innocence and perfect happiness had 

 stricken covenant, and amid the peace of Eden was 

 heard only the song of nature at rest with man* and 

 God in a sabbath which bade fair to be eternal. This 

 sabbath-day — how came it to an end ? How came na- 

 ture to be in revolt against its King ? IIoav was death 

 with its attendant plagues able to intrude into this upper 

 world from which it had been Avarned away ? '' By one 

 man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.''* 

 You have heard the stern language of Saint Paul, you 

 have recognized the cardinal doctrine of original sin. 

 It is, then, simply a matter of logical consistency — it is 

 simply following out the Bible to its conclusions — when, 

 notwithstanding those laws of science which are mis- 

 takenly offered in evidence against us, we persist in 

 seeing, in the evils which rest in common upon all our 

 race, in the disasters which smite individuals or isolated 

 countries, the various applications of one constant law 

 of the moral system — that death is the })iinishment 

 of sin. 



But what ! If it is possible for science to tolerate 

 these strange doctrines, under pretence that they are 

 out of its province, is it possible for conscience to sub- 



* liomans, v. 12. 



