TUK VWmT CHAPTER OF GENESIS. 



125 



lieavens and earth are composed of substances which are 

 assumed to be as material as themselves. Similarly, Haeckel and 

 the school of which he is a representative, build the heavens and 

 the earth from the prhnordial atom, but less logical than the 

 pagans of old, they deny the existence of any person or ibrce 

 outside the universe thus self-constructed. 



It is not possible to explain in terms of itself that which 

 needs explanation. But the answer of the first chapter of 

 Genesis is of another kind : — " In the beginning, God." Here the 

 origin of the universe is found, not in itself, but elsewhere. It 

 is true that, if God be also unknown, we learn nothing ; but, if 

 God can be known, then His bringing the world into existence 

 is no longer unexplained, though it may transcend our under- 

 standing. The method of His working may escape us, yet if we 

 can know God Himself, we can learn something of His purpose, 

 and therefore the significance of what He has wrought. The 

 true explanation of created things is found in the Creator. 



III. — We know God by Revelation only. 



How can God be known ? The analogy of science may help 

 us. That which men have learnt concerning sun, moon, and 

 stars, they have learnt in one way and in one way only : it is 

 from the sun, moon, and stars themselves that men have derived 

 their knowledge of them ; the sole foundation of astronomy is 

 Observation. As the science has developed, and l)ecome more 

 complex, there has been division of labour ; and now some men 

 are observers, others are computers, and others again subject 

 the results of computation to further discussion and analysis ; 

 but actual observation comes first and last and in ])etween ; 

 the whole structure of the science is built upon it. 



So with the other sciences ; as geology, biology and the rest. 

 We have learned of the rocks from the rocks ; of life from life. 

 If we would learn of God, our knowledge of Him must come 

 from Himself : there is no other source possible. Some scientific 

 men have argued as if, since they have learnt of nature from 

 nature, by observation of nature, and through their natural 

 powers, they could also learn of God from nature, by observation 

 of nature, and through their natural powers, without God having 

 aught to do with their learning of Him. 



Astronomers are sometimes asked, " But can you photograph 

 the stars?" The answer is "Yes." "When do you do it?" 

 " At night." " But how can you possibly photograph them at 



