SERMONS FROM STONES 

 By KiRTLEY F. Mather 



WHEN It Is recalled that geology Involves 

 not only the study of minerals and rocks 

 but also the entire history of the earth 

 and Its Inhabitants, It becomes apparent why the geol- 

 ogist may have something to say which is of interest 

 and importance to the theologian. The appeal to his- 

 tory has always been pre-eminent In the literature and 

 oratory of religion, from the days of the Prophet 

 MIcah onward to the present time. But whereas the 

 prophets of Israel had a mental background provided 

 by only a few centuries of the history of one small 

 Semitic tribe and its neighbors, the citizen of this mod- 

 ern scientific world has at his disposal the gorgeous 

 panorama of the myriad kinds of animals and plants 

 evolving through hundreds of millions of years of 

 geologic time. 



To the man of science every event in the history of 

 the universe is a miracle. It Is both awe-inspiring and 

 significant, a "sign and wonder." The more we know 

 about the world, the more mysterious and marvelous 

 it becomes. The arrogance which characterized so 

 many scientists of preceding generations has given place 

 to a true humility, admirably displayed by most of the 

 leaders in contemporary scientific progress. The ex- 

 panding horizon of knowledge has simply lengthened 



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