Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-07-05
Philosophy of tIhe BLDG.

Philosophy Of the Bible.
The naturalists held a very interesting
meeting in Charleston s. c., a few weeks
ago, of ''The Association for the ad-
vancement of Science" in the South
Agassiz and other eminent men of sci.
ence were there, and read able papers on
the various discoveries now bursting into
light. The perfect demonstration of the
truth of the scriptures by the profound
investigations of modern science into the
laws of creation, was not the least inter.
es;ing and pleasing result of the deliber-
atoms of the scientific gentlemen assem-
bled at Charleston. A writer in the Ma
/. ,ional Intelligencer states some curious
and interesting facts:
Lieut.. Maury, particularly, elucidated
his theory of the winds in beautiful
manner. by reference to the Hebrew wri-
tings, and evinced the feeling of gen.
erous satisfaction that he had been antic-
ipated with such great accuracy by an
ancient author, who had described the
natural phenomena Of the currents eff the
winds so closely, in accordance with the
experience which, by the aids of modern
science, he had toiled to accumulate the
evidence of.
The illustrations made upon the large
map of the world exhibited the compar-
alive relations Of land and water upon
our globe, and the influences which tenn
perature, moisture, evaporation, and ele-
walton had in causing the varieties and
circuits of the different currents of wind.
More than $500 years ago descrip-
ton was written in the Book OF Ec.
clesiastes, as if all the scientific results
had then been accumulated for the exact
resemblance Of the descriptive pictures:
"The wind goeth to the south, and
turneth about TO the north--it whirleth
about continually-and the wind return
eth again, according to its circuits.
"All the rivers run into the sea, yet the
sea is not full--into the place from
whence the rivers come, shiiher shall
they return, to 60 again."
The impressive action, unaffected tone.
and feeling confidence Lieut.. Maury ex-
hibited, while addressing the Rev. chair
man, DR.. Bachman, in the strong lang
uage Of the Scriptures, was considered a
noble and most appropriate finale to the
overwhelming evidence he offered of the
wisdom, continuance and adaptations of
the Creator. We cannot conceive ii
possible for any class of men to be more
honestly impressed by, or better entitled
to- employ. the beautiful, powerful, and
natural illustrations of the Scriptures,
than those whose constant enjoyment it
is to study the laws and observe the a.
=
gencies established by the Deity, through
out this world, and those distant worlds
which appear in the heavens. We
claim for naturalists the right to such
reference and scrutiny-and even to
criticise and correct errors Of transla-
tiOn, which have been Too easily admitted
to our confidence. and are sometimes in
sisted upon with too great tenacity by
professional or seciarian prepossession
The references to the Pleiades-of the
Book of Job-and to the round form of
the earth in several Of David's Psalms
according to our recent version--are also
offered in evidence, as proof Of scientific
attainment exhibited by Hebrew author
ity, in confirmation Of modern discovery
by Lieut.. Maury, in manner gentle and
decided, but bold and impressive. There
are no works in the ancient languages
which 20 frequently refer to objects of
natural history and natural science as the
Hebrew Sculptures; and as we gain cor
rect Information Of the laws which truly
regulate the natural world, owe increase
our knowledge of the just comparisons,
drawn from that source, which are 80
freely offered il the Scriptures.
The Louisville Courier notices the
circulation of considerable quantities Of