10 CONSISTENCY OF GEOLOGICAL 
the discoveries of a science, in which a Kepler,* 
and a Newton found demonstration of the most 
sublime and glorious attributes of the Creator. 
A Herschel has pronounced that ** Geology, in 
the magnitude and sublimity of the objects of 
which it treats, undoubtedly ranks in the scale of 
sciences next to astronomy ;" and the history of 
the structure of our planet, when it shall be fully 
understood, must lead to the same great moral 
results that have followed the study of the me- 
chanism of the heavens ; Geology has already 
* Kepler concludes one of his astronomical works with the 
following prayer, which is thus translated in the Christian 
Observer, Aug. 1834, p. 495. 
" It remains only that I should now lift up to heaven my eyes 
and hands from the table of my pursuits, and humbly and de- 
voutly supplicate the Father of lights. O thou, who by the 
light of nature dost enkindle in us a desire after the light of 
grace, that by this thou mayst translate us into the light of glory ; 
I give thee thanks, O Lord and Creator, that thou hast glad- 
dened me by thy creation, when I was enraptured by the work 
of thy hands. Behold, I have here completed a work of my 
calling, with as much of intellectual strength as thou hast granted 
me. I have declared the praise of thy works to the men who 
will read the evidences of it, so far as my finite spirit could com- 
prehend them in their infinity. My mind endeavoured to its 
utmost to reach the truth by philosophy ; but if any thing 
unworthy of thee has been taught by me — a worm born and 
nourished in sin — do thou teach me that I may correct it. Have 
I been seduced into presumption by the admirable beauty of thy 
works, or have I sought my own glory among men, in the con- 
struction of a work designed for thine honour ? then gra- 
ciously and mercifully forgive me ; and finally grant me this 
favour, that this work may never be injurious, but may conduce 
to thy glory and the good of souls." 
