Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-18
From the Edinburgh philosophical Journal tor June
Defence Of Christianity, or Conferences ON
Religion;


Defence of Christianity, or Conferences on
Religion;
defense du Chris,ianisme, on Conferences sur
la Religion.) By VI. de Frayssinous. Bishop
Of Hermopolis, First Almoner to the h'ns OF
France, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs x
Public Instruc:o' vols svo. Pans.
1foses considered as Historian Of The Early ages,
I. ii. p. 40.
NJ Frayssinous, in his Conferences, consid-
.rinn Moses as historian of the early. ages, ex-
amines his narrative with reference 10 the Two
principal facts recorded In Genesis, namely,
the Creation and the Deluge. t VIII be use
rul to shew, then, how The explanations OF the
learned prelate have render all raoonai AIS
mutation between science S authordoxv hence
forth imposs ible; twill also serve TO convince
religious men that they need not nov, from
scroples of conscience, refuse to give their as
set 10 the sound the cries Of science; and lastly.
IL is Of Importance in giving more extensive
diffusion TO acc urate ideas respecting the BOOK
Of Genesis, and the principal geological facts
related in it, that the useless discussions wh'ch
frequently arise in the world may be aroided;
such. for example, as disputes with regard 10
the ape of the world-the universal deluge-
whether the fossil shells we're produced by the
Mosaic deluse, sc.
By Distinguishing, in the language OF Moses,
the expressions in common use, which II was
necessary for him 10 employ, in order to be
understood, and BY making allowance for the
difference of times and ofnstions, and for The
genius of the Hebrew language, and by adh"t-
ing, at the same tine, TO the narrative oil the
historian, NJ. de Frayssinous has consecrsted,
by his suEfi age, interpre, alons which have been
elected by conscientious Judgment. Hence>
forth the ,cosmogony e Moses, assuming In
some degree different character, presents on
" an assemblage Of facts, which enter, without
efforI, under the dominion Of the natural laws,
imposed from the beginning by the Crea;or oil
the universe, and which ,hssiSrS harm 9n ms
impor' ant observation mus; not be overlooked:
Moses lays down his cosmoeony, in few words,
and in very general terms; and the meaning Of
the word day being once fixed we have only 10
consider the order aud succession Of creations
there recorded. NJ. de Frayssinous shews the
agreement hus subsisting between scientific
facrs and the Mosaic record, viewed in Us true
light. and in this respect he renders an emf
nent service 10 religion, 10 science, and geolo
Sy
When, in fact, we call 10 mind the lamenta-
bic dispu:es which have taken place, in these
latter ages, on The subject of the Book Of Gem
esis: when, on the one hand, geology, formerly
so Theoretical, appeared 10 encourage the at
tacks Of inEdel phloso piers, and, on the other,
religious meU, possessed sometimes of more
zeal than science, denounced, with so much
hea', opinions which, at the present day, give
no offence TO the lights Of rhe church,-we are
constrained TO hold forth to public appreciation
the spirit with which the Bishop OF He mopo,
lis has considered this book, and 10 tx end the !
knowledge Of the opinions which he adopts on |
the fundamental points which it con:ains,-as
thereby furnishing he friends of religion, sci |
ence, and geology, who might still find then
selves exposed TO attacks similar to those 10
which We have been abiding, with victorious
arms for ling them.
IT. however, there is at the present day, one
truth more than another to viii general as
sent is given, il is this-that the progress Of
all kinds Of real knowledge has entirely ban.
ish-d from US that spurious philosophical
spirit, Of which so much is still said. as if i,
could be renewed? What gcologist is there,
in our days, who, while he admires the exalted
genius Of Voltaire, is not moved with pity al his
scientific arguments against The tonk Of Gene
sis? And do we now see single dissertation
of similar nature, by anv writer, enjoying the
smallest degree OF reputation IN the scientific
world? Were work OF this cription to ap-
pear at the present day, would not The silence &
Of the learned consign it TO ne
glect, more promptly, and with more effect, trgn
the Index Of the Sorbonne could ever have done?
In vain do some interested, or 90 credulous, in
dividuals attempt 10 revive the terror Of such
philosophers; there is nothing TO justify their
alarms: and Gid not every thing around Us, tes-
lily that S fence is always the surest guide for
man, geology (Which, after having in its infan.
CIV furnisS ed weapons against the sacred writ
ings, may now br rendered subserrirnt 10 the I
supper, of the Mosaic cosmogony) would fur>
nish memorable example. In truth, setting
aside the considerations and sentm, ms which
command belief, il is ION N. Cuvi-r's res arch q
es that the most lmpor ant fact IN the Mo. e
saH record, namely, the order Of The creation Of
wing beings, rests; il is the in,es igatit rs If
Nj Champollion and Le,ronne, which Nj de
Frsyssinous addUces 10 support of his histoii. s
ell relations; and las ly, il is the dscov rio o,
DR.. Young and VI. esaei tina, affh,d III |, arm. 5
ID prria'r The mean. Of explaining the ,ssage W