DISCOVERIES WITH SACRED HISTORY. 21 



founded; but in the mean while, we have abundant evi- 

 dence of numerous and indisputable phenomena, each 

 establishing important and undeniable conclusions; and the 

 aggregate of these conclusions, as they gradually accumu- 

 late, will form the basis of future theories, each more and 

 more nearly approximating to perfection; the first, and 

 second, and third story of our edifice may be soundly and 

 solidly constructed ; aUhough time must elapse before the 

 roof and pinnacles of the perfect building can be completed. 

 Admitting therefore, that we have yet much to learn, we 

 contend that much sound knowledge has been already 

 acquired ; and we protest against the rejection of established 

 parts, because the whole is not yet made perfect. 



It was assuredly prudent, during the infancy of Geology, 

 in the immature state of those physical sciences which form 

 its only sure foundation, not to enter upon any comparison 

 of the Mosaic account of creation with the structure of the 

 earth, then almost totally unknown ; the time was not then 

 come when the knowledge of natural phenomena was suf- 

 ficiently advanced to admit of any profitable investigation 

 of this question; but the discoveries of the last half century 

 have been so extensive in this department of natural know- 

 ledge, that, whether we will or not, the subject is now 

 forced upon our consideration, and can no longer escape 

 discussion. The truth is, that all observers, however vari- 

 ous may be their speculations, respecting the secondary 

 causes by which geological phenomena have been brought 

 about, are now agreed in admitting the lapse of very long 

 periods of time to have been an essential condition to the 

 production of these phenomena. 



It may therefore be proper, in this part of our inquiry, to 

 consider how far the brief account of creation, contained in 

 the Mosaic narrative, can be shown to accord with those 

 natural phenomena, which will come under consideration in 

 the course of the present essay. Indeed some examination 

 to this question seems indispensable at the very threshold of 



