805 
quence to the other side. If we will only think soberly as to 
what is now being discovered by the Palestine explorations, 
to remind ns how much may happen, in much less than 2,000 
years, to change the face of a country and bury its massive 
structures deep under ground; — if we will think of the West 
Indian hurricane two months ago, and the earthquakes since, 
also of the recent East Indian cyclone and of Vesuvius as it 
is in eruption now; and if we will pay but the slightest 
attention to the innumerable historical records of still more 
destructive cataclysms, by water, wind and fire, during the 
present era, and even within a few generations, we shall be all 
the better prepared to think wisely as to the overwhelming 
power of nature to transform the face of the earth, and to 
estimate more truly the value of time in a won-uniformitarian 
world, subject to such marvellous changes as we know to have 
been accomplished within the historical period, and almost 
under our eyes. 
But we have now to examine into the implied agreement 
among the clergy in holding to the 6,000 years of the vulgar 
era. So far is it from being true that there has been this 
agreement, that Mr. Goodwin, in the Essays and Reviews, 
actually pointed scornfully to the variety of conflicting opinions, 
and to “ the trenchant way in which the theological geolo- 
gists” (as he called them) “ overthrow one another's con- 
clusions.” So notorious is the difference of opinion that has 
prevailed as to this, not merely among the clergy, but among 
all who instinctively cling to the notion that the Bible is true, 
while still inclined to follow the teachings of human science, 
that in the valuable paper read by Mr. Warington* at the 
first ordinary meeting of this Institute, he pointed out that, 
not only was it not settled among theologians what was under- 
stood by the word “ day,” but, with an extreme impartiality, 
he described the defenders of Scripture — not as bigoted and 
serried in prejudice and all of one mind — but as “ a motley 
and discordant set, at war among themselves as fiercely as with 
the enemy.” I quote this strong language to show, that we 
are not afraid of plain speaking in this Society. We think 
the truth should be spoken- — the whole truth, and nothing 
but the truth ; — because truth alone will last. Mr. Warington 
also pointed out, that as the arguments of some of the de- 
fenders of Scripture are mutually destructive, Ci a proportion 
of them must be wrong, and that the defence they make is, 
therefore, a source of weakness, and not of strength.” He 
goes on : — 
* Journal of Transactions, vol. i. p. 85, et seq. 
