Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-11-17
ANTIQUITY OF THE EARTH


logical science as developed and in progress of de-
Ne'opment and in tie contemplation of these truths
how greatly is the human mind enlarged and eleva-
te !, aud its conceptions of the dignity of its
nature, AMI of the dignity, wisdom and power OF
the Infinite Mind pu. ed and exalted
Eeore the Developments ofthis science the doubts
of the scepc, and the unbeef of the iniidel as to
the existence of great and intelligent First Cause
are compelled to give way. And wien the REJECT
agreen eat OF these developments, as regards the
Creation with "a rational view of the Mosaic history
is made 10 appear how irresistible is the weight OF
testimony thus added to the great truths of Re, Ella
ton! The work OF John Pye Smith, TO say nothing
of the writings of other fc theologians, upon
this subject should suffice 10 put at rest the fears
entertained that tie authority OF tie Scriptures is
likely to be overturned 10y the progress OF the sci
cree OF Geology, OF any Science The Word and
the Works OF the Infinite Mind cannot in the nature
of things, disagree. Science and Religion, which
are emanatio of the same great source, can never
be at war with each other In other words tic Al
mighty cannot be inc, n .stent with himself! And
that professor OF Christianity who sets himself
against the truths of science because those truths
interfere with points of a common theology. would
do we'll first TO institue full and candid inquiry
in respect to the soundneSs of that theology not as
compared with founded upon human crecdS but
as tested by the Word and Works of the Infinite
Mind, TO be learned by direct appeal 10 the great
Books of Nature and of Revelation. He will thus
be doing far better work for himselt-one more ac
ccptable to his Master; will be contributing to tie
progress Of Religious and Scientific truth, while in
the other case, he is but a stumbling block in the
way OF both
The fact is in regard TO the Religious and Scien-
tltc world that both dereIict in duty. The one
in attaching too little importance 10 the study of
:cientifc truths md the other in negIectng the not
less interesting and important truths of moral and
religious moment. A system of religion, in our
view, is sound just in the proportion it is founded
not merely upon correct views of scripture re, Ella
ton and doctrine, but it partakes of such of the
elements OF philosophy are to be gathered alone
by the study OF nature and her laws and relate to
the physical and consequently mental and moral
we'll being of mankind. And the votarcs Of Sci
ence. by an attention TO Religious truth as to be
learned alone in the written Word, would be vastly
increasing their capacity for usefuE IS, and adding
greatly to the onward progress of scientific truth
Science and genuine Religion aids 10 each other
Separated the progress of each is retarded Joined,
the progress OF both is facilitated. Tie mo useful
among the philosophers OF any age, are those who
have combined tie religious with the scientific
and the most u,eiul among thcoIogians, are tho
who have combined the scientific with the religious
Newton, La Place, Boyle, Locke Smith, Chalmers,
Harris and host of others whose names might lie
added, are among the individual n.tanccs in pc Mt
But our object was not, when We commenced our
article to go into dissertation OF this kind or in
deed into dissertation of any kind. The remarks
made were suggested by the objections we frequent
~ hear stated to the grand and impressive truths of
neutrality-suspicious. founded on the erroneous be-
Lief thai these truths clash, in cardinal points with
Scripture history aud revelation. Our main object
ask the attention of the reader to an extract
under the head of Antiquity of the Earth, on our
first page from la;c work by DR.. Harris entitled
. The Pre-Adami,e Earth The extract may pre-
sent nothing to the mind of the Geological stu
dent, far scientific fact is concerned; but
we doubt much whether any can read it, without |
receiving impressions of a character at new !
and indetiEabe, aud without coming to the couclu-
sion that so far human language can do justice |
to the great subject of the article Dr. Harris has
succeeded beyond all other writers.
4 friend who suggested the extract to our atten-
ton said in reference to the work containing it
" The privilege of reading such work. by such an
author if the extract IS any thing like specimen,
would be worth journey down east and back
The reading of it by those who can enter into tie
spirit of TIE writer, will be substantial addition 20
the aggregate Of universal happiness 1t is an eter-
nifty piled up, rather score of eteuitics, that
have LETT their toot-marks a score OF miles deep in
the crust of our planet, as they passed over it