366 
altogether silent. She is of the earth, earthy ; and no effort 
can make her rise to the heavenly. Left to herself, she is 
like those ancient miners so eloquently described in the book 
of Job (xxviii.). She has found indeed the source of silver, the 
place of fine gold; has drawn forth iron out of the dust, and 
melted brass out of the stone. She has put an end to dark- 
ness in her deep searchings of all hidden things. Far from all 
common paths, in ways unknown, in depths profound, she has 
carried on her course, turning up the earth and all earthly 
things as it were with fire. In her researches she has found 
all manner of precious gems, and won the wealthiest reward 
for her labours. Surpassing in keenness the eye of eagles, in 
strength the pride of lions, she has gone down even to the 
roots of mountains, has hewn paths through the solid rocks, 
has stayed and controlled the very springs, has brought forth 
the most secret things to light. It is her pride and glory 
thus to have done. Yet is there somewhat beyond her reach. 
Where is wisdom ? — where shall she find that ? Where is the 
place of understanding ? She appeals to Nature, but there is 
no answer. Yet is it this which is of all things most to be 
desired. Beside this, all earthly spoils are valueless. All the 
rich fruits of her labours cannot equal this. Her search with 
all its glories has been in vain, for wisdom is still concealed 
from the eyes of all living. Only in death and destruction is 
there a whisper of another world whence wisdom may come — 
they have heard the sound thereof with their ears. Then 
steps in God. He understands, He knows; for all Nature is 
open to His eyes, and the work of His hands ; and under 
Nature He can see the deep hidden wisdom which man has 
sought for in vain, even the testimony to Himself. He can 
make it known, and He does make it known ; for, stooping to 
man, He says, (c Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and 
to depart from evil is understanding.” The cosmogony of 
Genesis, standing as it does at the very head of Scripture, is 
the first utterance, the first syllable, as it were, of this great 
message, beginning as was fit with the revelation of that part 
of hidden wisdom which lay in ({ the heavens and the earth in 
their creation.” 
On the motion of the Chairman, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 
Warington for his valuable paper. 
Eev. J. H. Titcomb. — I have been extremely pleased with the valuable 
paper which we have just heard read ; but there are one or two points con- 
tained in it on which I should like to offer a little criticism. The first thing 
that strikes me is, that I think Mr. Warington has not distinguished with 
sufficient accuracy between the rest of God at the creation from His created 
