given it. All the copies of the Septuagint are not, however, precisely alike; the Vatican having 2242, as given above, and the Alexandrine 2262. So too, the Hebrew Samaritan text differs from the Jewish and makes the period only 1307.

217. Remarks. Instead of this reckoning the Samaritan copy makes this period to have been 942 years; the Vatican 1172; the Alexandrine 1072, and Josephus 1002. The mode of reckoning made use of by the ancient Hebrews was such as would very easily lead to mistakes in copying; for they made use of letters instead of figures, and some of these letters so nearly resembled each other, that one would often be mistaken for another, and would be so written down by the copyist. This would of course, change the reckoning. Hence, when the ancient translations are found to differ from our Hebrew copy of the Bible, the fact is best accounted for, perhaps, by supposing that the Hebrew Bible they translated from was different from ours, the difference having originated in the manner here indicated. Still some variations may have arisen since the translation was made.

Total from Abram to the death of Joseph, 361
Total from Creation to death of Joseph, 2309

66

66

SECTION IV.-DATES OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF THE
LAST PERIOD.

219. Abram left Haran for Canaan, aged 75 years. Gen. xii. 4.
Age of Abram, when Ishmael was born,
Age of Abram, when Isaac was born,
Age of Ishmael, when circumcised,
Age of Abraham, when circumcised,
Age of Sarah, when Isaac was born,
When Sarah died, she was
When Abraham died, he was

86

66

" xvi. 16.

100

66

66

xxi. 5.

13

66

66

xvii. 25

99

" xvii. 24

90

66

66

xvii. 17.

PHILOS

PART II.

PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY.

CHAPTER VI.

EXISTENCE OF GOD.

CONTENTS: Preliminary Topics; The World not Eternal; Creation by Natural Causes, considered; Necessity of a Creator.

GEN. i. 1. In the beginning God | created the Heaven and the Earth.

220. The subject for this chapter, is the Existence of God, as proved by the creation of the world; and this seems a fit subject with which to introduce the Philosophy and Theology of the book of Genesis; as it lies at the basis of all true Philosophy, and is essential to the existence of all Theological science, and is the first thing announced in the "Book of books.' ""

SECTION I.-PRELIMINARY TOPICS.

221. (1.) When was the creative work performed? Assuming, what we shall hereafter prove, that God created the world, it is worthy of inquiry when the work was done. "In the beginning," is the only answer given in the record; and though this expression is quite indefinite, the subject did not require it to be otherwise. If any limitations or qualifications are required, they may be derived from what follows. The six days or periods of creation, are the "beginning" referred to. The condition of matter farther back than the six days, is not touched upon by the writer of this book. We may speculate upon that

subject, but we can decide nothing by divine authority. As to the time that has intervened between the creation and the present, dating from the creation of man, there are no facts with which we are acquainted, that can be urged as reliable proofs of a longer period than the one given in the Bible, which is understood to be about six thousand years. There is no evidence that men have lived on the earth longer than that period. Animals and plants have existed much longer, as is proven by their fossil remains, found imbedded in the solid rocks that compose the earth's crust - rocks that must have required ages to form. But no human fossil has ever been found in any situation indicating a longer period than we have supposed. We adhere to the Bible account, and must be excused for adopting no other, till we find something better sustained. We believe this account may be safely adhered to. We know of no facts that conflict with it.

We believe there are none. True, apparent conflicts do exist; but a careful examination shows them to be only apparent.

222. It is well known, for example, that the Chinese and Hindoos have laid claim to a greater antiquity than is revealed in the Bible. So have the Egyptians. But those who are best qualified to judge of these pretensions, assure us that they are entirely unfounded.

223. (2.) What are we to understand by the phrase "heaven and earth." We understand the common idea to be, that this phrase was intended to include the whole universe, and that all material things were produced at the same time. The earth, sun, moon and stars, are mentioned, and must of course be included in the phrase. But we need not take in more than our solar system to justify this language. Less than this, will not answer the description; more than this, is not required. There is, besides, good natural reasons for extending the crea tive work to the whole of our system, as all parts are essentially connected; but we know of no natural reason for a larger application.

224. It is true that the solar system may be essentially connected with other systems, and may be a necessary part of the great universe. We believe it is. But it may