490 
of human life. As Butler says, “ we must be content with 
that degree of certainty which is attainable by man.” If it is 
urged that the concbisions of scientific men have shifted, may 
it not be replied that the conclusions of theologians have 
shifted to a much greater degree ? With Butler I speak of 
religion in general, and of Christianity in particular. 
If, therefore, the evidence of religion is only probable, 
though it amounts to a probability of the highest character, it 
is far from being an innocent amusement to throw in the 
teeth of science, that a large portion of its evidence is of a 
similar character. Here, if any where, the saying is applicable, 
that those who dwell in glass houses should not throw stones. 
The result has been, that a large number of valuable windows 
have been broken on both sides, from the neglect of taking 
heed to so obvious a precept. To demolish an opponent by 
the sharpness of our logic is a most pleasant operation ; but 
my pleasure in doing so is greatly modified when I know that 
I can only obtain this satisfaction at the expense of demolish- 
ing myself. A breadth of view, and the taking of all the cir- 
cumstances of the case into consideration, are far more con- 
ducive to the discovery of truth than mere logical power. 
I make these observations in reference to one of the great 
controversies of the day, that between Geology and Scripture, 
with a view of suggesting caution to the combatants on both 
sides. Many geologists assert that this science disproves the 
claim of the Scriptures to be a divine revelation. Many theo- 
logians retort and say, “ Your science is not demonstrative. 
Many of its so-called truths have shifted.” It is unquestion- 
able, that the geologist can here use the tu quoque argument 
with considerable effect. 
Let me put the case fairly. Let it be conceded that geology 
is not demonstrative ; that some of its facts have been shown 
to be not true ; that it is a young science ; has had some 
hasty generalizations ; and that some of its theories have 
shifted. But in what direction does its evidence look, not in 
this or that particular detail, but taken as a great and com- 
prehensive whole ? Towards what point are its little rivulets 
of truth flowing ? After all which can be said against it, it 
must be conceded, that many of its leading principles rest on 
evidence of strong probability ; and that this evidence points 
to one fact, that the material planet is more than of the age 
of from six to eight thousand years. The question there- 
fore at once presents itself, — which is more probable, that 
our chronology, as supposed to be deduced from Scripture, 
may be an incorrect deduction, or that this general probabi- 
lity towards which the wide range of geological evidence 
