But I do not think any one will find that I have said long periods are 
necessary. The book of Genesis leaves it an open question for science to 
settle without interference. I have no lingering impression in favour of 
long geological ages. I do not care how long they were — it is a matter of 
pure indifference, because the Bible tells me nothing on that head at all. 
Some reference has been made to the resolution of nebulae. Only a week ago I 
heard a lecture delivered by Professor Roscoe, of Manchester, on the spectrum 
analysis. Mr. Huggins, who has laboured hard in that field, was present, 
and it was upon his statements that the lecturer founded his assertions, 
which were very remarkable ; that every fixed star examined was found by 
means of the spectrum analysis to have a constitution similar to our sun — a 
solid or liquid nucleus emitting light and surrounded by an atmosphere ; 
but the instant they touched the nebulae there was no solid matter nor no 
liquid matter— nothing but incandescent gas, and that this was invariably 
so — 
Rev. W. Mitchell. — Were those the nebulae which have been resolved ? 
Mr. Warington. — The lecturer said the spectrum analysis had been used 
with regard to these nebulae which it was stated had been resolved into 
actual stars, and these so-called stars were found invariably to be incan- 
descent gas, a little more agglutinated together, a little more compact, and, 
therefore, more brilliant, but utterly unlike real stars — 
Rev. W. Mitchell. — It may be a question whether it is possible for 
the spectrum analysis to adduce these facts — whether it is possible to tell 
you so much. 
Mr. Reddie. — And if true it does not prove anything, unless it also 
proved that these nebulie are changing into worlds. 
. Mr. Warington. — Another question which has been raised is as to 
whether the earth has been wholly under water. Although it is true that 
the majority of the rocks have been formed under water, it does not follow 
that the whole earth was at any one time under water. There may at all times 
have been dry land, and the earth been denuded and reformed ; and we do 
not know how many times that may have taken place before the formation of the 
rocks as we see them. It seems to me that the formation of rocks under water 
is no proof of the whole earth having been covered with water. With respect 
to the watery sphere, I am sorry I was so far misunderstood. I did not say 
there was a watery sphere at all, but that above the clouds there is liquid 
water in a cloud-like form, though rather more thin and spread out — a number 
of extremely minute globes of water. That is not a watery sphere. I must 
also object to the idea of frozen air being watery. If frozen, it would still 
be air, and not water. I was astonished at the assertion made by Mr. Wain- 
wright, that geologists had proved the existence of light before the sun. It 
amazed me to think by what possible evidence such a thing could be proved. 
I can well imagine that you could prove light had existed, but how you 
could prove where it came from is to me an enigma. I think I have now 
touched on all the principal points that have arisen in the discussion, and I 
thank you much for the patient attention you have given me. (Cheers.) 
