200 



NOTE CONCLUSORY. 



tures, how different new philosophic doctrines are apt to 

 appear after we have become somewhat familiar with 

 them. Geology at first seems inconsisent with the au- 

 thority of the Mosaic record. A storm of unreasoning 

 indignation rises against its teachers. In time, its truths, 

 being found quite irresistible, are admitted, and mankind 

 continue to regard the Scriptures with the same respect 

 as before. So also with several other sciences. Now the 

 only objection that can be made on such a ground to this 

 book, is, that it brings forward some new hypothesis, al 

 first sight, like geology, not in perfect harmony with that 

 record, and arranges ail the rest into a system which par- 

 takes of the same character. But may not the sacred 

 text, on a liberal interpretation, or with the benefit of a 

 new light reflected from nature, or derived from learn- 

 ing, be shown to be as much in harmony with the novel- 

 ties of this volume as it has been with geology and natu- 

 ral philosophy ? What is there in the laws of organic 

 creation more startling to the candid theologian than in 

 the Copernican system or the natural formation of strata? 

 And if the whole series of facts is true, why should we 

 shrink from inferences legitimately flowing from it ? Is 

 it not a wiser course, since reconciliation has come in so 

 many instances, still to hope for it, still to go on with our 

 new truths, trusting that they also will in time be found 

 harmonious with all others ? Thus we avoid the damage 

 which the very appearance of an opposition to natural 

 truth is calculated to inflict on any system presumed to 

 require such support. Thus we give, as is meet, a re- 

 spectful reception to what is revealed through tl. e medium 

 f)f nature, at the same time that we fully reserve our rev- 

 erence for all we have been accustomed to hold sacred, 

 not one title of which it may ultimately be found neces- 

 sary to alter. 



