Rough Notes on the controversy against Geologists. 469 



But why should the geologist alone be exposed to such 

 vituperation ; why not attack the astronomer, the geogra- 

 pher ? The Scripture information regarding Astronomy 

 certainly is, that the earth is the principal body in the 

 universe, to which every thing else has been created in 

 subserviency ; that the sun and moon are two great lights 

 to enlighten it ; that the stars are to adorn its sky and 

 mark its seasons ; that the earth is stedfastly at rest while 

 these move around it ; and that there are stores of water 

 above its firmament, through apertures in which when 

 opened, these descend to give it rain. The Scriptural idea of 

 Geography is, that the earth is an extended surface, having 

 ends or terminations ; that it is established on the floods 

 of water, or seas ; and that it is supported on pillars. 

 How do the notions of modern astronomy and geography 

 tally with these ? Why are they taught to the young ? 

 Why are not the astronomer and geographer counted to 

 be as guilty of infidelity and impiety as the geologist ? Is 

 it not because men are accustomed to such contrarieties, 

 having been taught the rudiments of these sciences even 

 from their childhood? It is said that the Bible was not 

 intended to teach men astronomy or geography ; nor are 

 they, in an age of improved science, bound to abide by the 

 crude views of the age in which Scripture was written. Is 

 the geologist alone to be an exception to this rule, and to be 

 tied down by what has been supposed to be the literal 

 meaning of every word in the Scriptural account of creation ? 



Again, the account of creation occupies one page of the 

 numerous pages that make up the Bible. It is short, con- 

 cise ; often somewhat poetically expressed ; written in the 

 dramatic style, and not so clear as to have precluded dis- 

 cussion concerning its meaning long before geology was 

 heard of. The Bible, in its whole tenor, and through its 

 whole extent, has principally in view the making of men 

 wise unto salvation ; and when taken in its spirit and con- 



