THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 155 



hitherto what we call the Mosaic account of the creation, etc.. as a 

 satisfactory explanation enough ; science relentlessly shows we were 

 mistaken in this view. It is highly probable that the first chapters 

 of (lenesis were transcripts by Moses of a book ancient even in his 

 time." We all know how bitterly assailed by the various sects of 

 Christianity were modern geologists when they asserted they failed 

 to find any confirmation of the Noachian deluge. " Who believes in 

 it now? " remarks the late Prof Huxley. The London Times asserts, 

 " where Tyndall stood twenty years ago (at Belfast) our own bishops 

 stand now." Another English writer states, " influence of thought 

 from nature only over a religion which knows not how to defend 

 the divinity of the Word has been immense. The child-like belief 

 which led the Bible's defenders to assert the merest literalism of its 

 records against the hard discoveries and facts of science, we are 

 now (reproachfully) ready to yield altogether." " No such theory as 

 inspiration," adds Archdeacon Wilson, " such as these, namely, the 

 signers of a document who asserted belief that the Bible from cover 

 to cover had divine authority on the testimony of the universal 

 church, is recognized by the church of England or by any branch of 

 the universal church. It is unauthorized as well as unreasoning." 

 Geologists have little time and far less inclination to find themselves 

 involved in theological matters in which they have small concern. 

 Many of the clergy of the different denominations hold liberal 

 and enlightened views on scientific matters. Unfortunately there 

 are others, like " bats from out their narrow spy-hcles, looking on the 

 world without." " In former times," remarks the late Prof. Swing, 

 "opinions were made stationary by authority and custom. The people 

 did not possess sufficient education to enable them to perceive new 

 ideas. Liberty removes the restraint and unless the church joins the 

 memoralists in endeavoring to create a better world we cannot 

 promise orthodoxy a bright future. There are three ancient versions 

 of the Scripture, — Hebrew, Samaritan and Greek ; in all chronology 

 differs, and Rawlinson expresses a doubt respecting our having the 

 original chronology. He arrived at this conclusion perhaps after he 

 had been compelled to admit by another Orientalist that he had 

 changed the date in translating an Egyptian record in order to meet 

 the accepted belief then prevailing generally regarding the age of the 

 earth." Think for a moment of such an admission, a falsified date 



