17 
admits of man's contemporaneous existence with, certain long 
extinct animals. Those who are interested in the statements 
of the Bible, may well be anxious that no similar overwhelming 
influence may be successfully brought to bear against any 
evidences there may be in nature of the universality of the 
flood. 
I therefore revert to the nebular theory, to show that there 
were not wanting men — and men, as it turns out, better 
entitled to the name of “ men of science,” than others more 
eminent in reputation — who contended strongly against that 
theory, but whose arguments were disregarded, or not allowed 
even a hearing before some of our existing scientific societies, 
which thus acted as hindrances instead of as helps to the 
advancement of science. 
In 1844, when the British Association for the Advancement 
of Science met at York, the late Dean of York, Dr. Cockburn, 
a practical geologist, made a straightforward attack upon 
the nebular theory, “laid down by Dr. Buckland, in his 
Bridgewater Treatise, as to the original formation of the earth,” 
upon this very sufficient ground, namely, “ because that theory 
will not account for the many facts made known to us by geolo- 
gists;” and he put forward another theory in some detail, 
which he maintained did account for these facts, and of which 
he challenged criticism. He concluded his remarks in these 
words : — 
u You will, of course, perceive that my theory accords perfectly with the 
account given by Moses. I do not, however, press it upon you in con- 
sequence of that accordance, hut because I contend that every modern dis- 
covery may be accounted for by this theory, and cannot be accounted for by 
the theory of Dr. Buckland.” * 
Professor Sedgwick, who was President of the Geological 
Section that year, replied to Dr. Cockburn, but as he “ con- 
fined himself almost exclusively to remarks upon the Dean's 
supposed ignorance,” the learned Dean printed his speech, and 
requested the Professor to answer it in print ; observing that 
“ it appeared to him, and to many wiser men, that the theories, 
of the Geological Society were incompatible with Christianity,” 
although Professor Sedgwick had said that “ these theories, 
if rightly understood, would confirm the truths of revelation.” 
For, if so, added the Dean, my answer is, “ these theories 
are not rightly understood by me and by thousands of others.” 
That Dean Cockburn formed the truer estimate of the cha- 
racter of the nebular theory, when he described it as con- 
* The Bible Defended against the British Association. Fourth Edition 
(p. 16). 
