been written, based on imperfect data, has been found inconclusive.

Again, many have avoided or glossed over the supposed discrepancies, by contending that the Mosaic narrative refers to another and later world than that of the Geologist

-a period of time between the creation of man and the flood-or that the language employed is poetically, not historically, descriptive or that our knowledge of the Hebrew, in which it was written, is too meagre to warrant certainty of exposition. Consequently, they have been afraid to interpret the text in any other manner than by the most close adherence to the words.

Where such men have to some extent failed, it may be considered presumption to "try another flight." It is to be hoped, however, that the additional light afforded by late discoveries, and a re-arrangement of facts brought to bear upon, and considered along with, the sacred text, may result in an acknowledgement of the Divine origin of the narrative, and that Geology is one of the severest tests of its truth and inspiration.

With many persons of piety and humble faith, it appears to be almost sinful-at all events, highly improper-to indulge in speculations, or to prosecute inquiry beyond what can be gathered in distinct terms from the Scriptures, forgetting that "Truth cannot contradict truth."

If the Mosaic Record be inspired-a revelation from the Almighty-it cannot be proved false. There can be no hostility between the unwritten Records appealing to

the evidence of our senses, and the written Records appealing to our faith; and, as God is truth, His words will not refute His works.

Much of this adverse feeling is traceable to the clamour against human science, raised by those desirous to be reputed "pious persons," and very much owing to the pulpit declamations of ignorant clergymen who denounce all knowledge as worthless, or contrast it improperly with the knowledge "which is able to make us wise unto salvation." It is undoubtedly true that the knowledge of "Christ and him crucified" is, all in all, the most vitally important, and will endure for ever; but, if such preachers imagine “that all human knowledge is transitory and will perish" when this world comes to an end, they have read their Bibles and studied Theology to little good purpose— they are but "blind leaders of the blind." It is most painful to conceive such men glozing over their own ignorance-embellishing their discourses by specious rant-condemning what they do not understand, and, therefore, cannot appreciate-checking in their hearers the slender desires for the acquisition of knowledge, cramping mental exertion, and stifling inquiry. It is an undoubted fact that the majority of "regular church goers" are but ill acquainted, at best, with the oracles of religion, and too much inclined to consider even general knowledge useless; nay, that the listeners to such pulpit tirades soon come to consider that it is dangerous to pursue knowledge, other than can be easily acquired direct from the Scriptures.

Those ministers have read least, who utter the boldest declamations on this topic. The inspired writers never deter men from the study of creation and the glorious works of God, nor set up His word in opposition to His works. "For the visible works of God display the same essential attributes of Deity, and of His superintending providence, as the revelations of His word; and it is one great design of that word to direct men to a rational and devout contemplation of these works in which His glory is so magnificently displayed." And, therefore, to attempt to magnify the word of God by degrading His works, or to set the one in opposition to the other, is to attempt to set the Deity in opposition to himself, and to prevent mankind from offering a certain portion of that tribute of adoration and thanksgiving which is due to His name. When the Psalmist had finished his survey of the different departments of nature, he exclaimed (Ps. civ.):-"O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches; so is this great and wide sea. The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."

I

In the present day, when the belief in inspiration of the Scriptures has been so boldly attacked, it behoves every thinking man who values "The Book" to examine the grounds on which that attack has been based, and not only to satisfy his own mind, but be able to “give a reason for the faith which is in him."

At all periods of the world's history, there have been sceptics, if not infidels. In none, more than in these days, have more persistent and more insidious attacks been made on the Christian's faith and hope. It is, therefore, a duty to resist and, if possible, vanquish them.

If the very first page on which the Christian rests his belief is found untrue, the infidel has conquered. If, however, it be found in spirit—nay, almost in letter-true, as regards the order and progress of creation confirmed by the Stony Record, then the authenticity, authority, and inspiration of the Bible History becomes, if possible, more clearly proved, and on other all-important points, more reliable and undoubted.

The Bible does not pretend to teach science, properly so called-if it had done so, it must have become a text book in Natural Philosophy rather than a guide to eternal life-and yet, although given to teach us other truths, it contains much which science of late years has proved true, but which was disputed by generations of philosophers, equally certain and persistent in the soundness of their own views as those of our day. Being the production of Him who is Omniscient-who is truthit cannot contradict what is scientifically or morally true.

A very few examples may be adduced. It was for ages an article of faith in Physical Geography that the world was a flat plane, yet the Psalmist, writing of the earth, called it the "round world," and the Prophet Isaiah says (xl., 22) "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth."

This description was held to be a contradiction of fact until the circumnavigation of the globe proved the Bible and Christian Philosophers right. "He hangeth the earth upon nothing," says Job xxvi., 7. What have the Astronomer and Philosopher proved regarding its suspension in space? That the words of Job are literally true.

"The existence of the electric fluid was known to the sacred writers. They spoke of it as pervading all space and all bodies, and as kindling the heavens with fire, by which the Almighty traced His path in the thunder and regulated the course of the tempests. It is but of late years, however, that man has asserted his control over this element, and made it do his bidding. Solomon said that God gave to the air its weight, and to the waters their just measure;' yet it was not until recently that science proved the air to be a ponderable body, and learned the just measure of the waters. Job first announced the existence of a central fire in the earth, and science proves it by the natural phenomena discovered."

Many sincere Christians and Commentators understand when the Apostle Peter describes the destruction of the material universe by fire (2 Peter iii., I-13); he means annihilation will ensue—a common opinion of the effects of combustion. But science insists that fire only changes the form of substance, and that no such result can ever take place as annihilation.

Are we, therefore, to suppose the Apostle teaches an untruth, because he did not understand modern Chemistry?