202 



TJie First Men. 



The conservative scientific argument against this view is, that the 

 traces of pre-glacial man are too meager and doubtful to be accepted 

 as conclusive. This, however, is just what we should expect in the be- 

 ginning of the race; and cannot be permitted to nullify such proofs as 

 may actually exist. 



The traditional Scriptural argument against this position is, that it 

 is in irreconcilable conflict with Biblical chronology. The answer to 

 that IS, that there is no Biblical chronology; only uninspired and con- 

 flicting schemes computed from the Scriptural record, but having no 

 binding authority. Indeed, there is no settled chronology, fixing either 

 the glacial epochs or the beginning of the human race. So far as either 

 scientific or Scriptural authority goes, we are at liberty to accept any 

 dates we please. 



We would not place undue stress upon the Scriptural argument we 

 have advanced in favor of the pre-glacial origin of man. We think, 

 however, we can properly claim that it affords presumptive proof of 

 such origin, and gives Aveight to the probability that traces thereof 

 exist. We add to these evidences an argument derived from the unity 

 in diversity of the human race. 



Adam, says Lange, means "the red one, from the red eartli taken." 

 This is confirmed by the monuments of Egypt, upon which the ancient 

 Egyptians were represented as of brick-red color. They were really a 

 brown race, however. The first men, therefore, were neither white 

 nor black, but of some intermediate shade. The white races, no one 

 will dispute, were a later development. Again, the blackest races are 

 not the lowest in organism, and hence they do not represent the first 

 men, and are likewise to be eliminated. The brownish-yellow inhabi- 

 tants of eastern and north-eastern Asia are likewise of later origin, 

 and are to be omitted from consideration. This leaves only the brown 

 races to be considered. 



The children of Australians, wdio are generally classed as lowest 

 among men, are yellowish brown immediately after birth, and become 

 dark at a later age. The Hottentots are regarded by many ethnolo- 

 gists as the lowest of mankind, because of their associations, their 

 repulsive physical characteristics, and their intellectual inferiority. 

 They are of a yellowish brown complexion. The new-born negro ch ild is 

 reddish nut brown, which soon becomes slaty grey; the black color 

 being fully developed within a year in the Soudan, but not until three 

 years in Egypt. The eyes of the negro are at first blue, and the hair 

 chestnut brown, rather than black, being curled at the ends.* Among 

 the Eskimo, the oldest families are brown. 



These facts show that the first men were of a uniform brown or 



* Pruner Bey. 



