Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-02-13
Lttrraru.

RELIGIOUS Farm nIusrnArsp PROM scrrSon by
Edward Hitchcock, ID. D. H. l.. d., late President Of
Amherst College, &C. Phillips, Sampson Cos Boa-
ton
This volume contains and addresses by the
Author. preached and delivered various occasions
during period Of dneen years. They gathered
up and published in book Of more than four hundred
pages Some Of the articles have considerable value
others are Of no special interest beyond the occasion
which gave them birth. They all emincnty pract
cal and blend science and theology in such multitude
Of ways that the reader is well convinced by a
sorry perusal that the writer has forgotten any
time that he professor Of Natural Theology and Gcol
ogy. His object seems to be, in all the dscourses and
essays join science and religion in an ndssouble al
lance Sometimes he does this by conceding an that sci
claims in respect to cosmogony, and interpreting
the Bible to prove and Illustrate scientific statements
and other times he bows the supremacy of tho di-
vine word and the facts Of natural philosophy
plain and enforce is truths lie represents certain
class Of minds, who aiming to strike balance be-
tween the scriptures and the conclusions Of geoogts,
and thus them both On all points Of difference be-
tween thcoogans aud the modern school Of scientific
naturalists he takes side with the latter. aud yet main
tains his orthodoxy by most strenuous advocacy Of
those religious doctrines which they have assalcd
Thus he stands the middle ground between the friends
and the enemies Of the literal Interpretation Of the Mo-
sale records. His book shakes hands with both parties.
and is attempt to reconcile their differences. We
think that he has sgnaly failed TO accomplish his
end not because he has argued well any Of his
class but because he is trying TO harmonic with plain
scripture, principles and facts which irrcconcilaby
and forever opposed IT, The literal record Of the Cen
ess not TO be- overthrown by the reiterated rusm that
he Bible does not 10 teach science II does
not assume to do so, but &c does assume % give simple
and succnct Of the creation without any oren-
81 H.. A. 90 ..a
that the plain narrative Of the CREATION Of process and
time, be upset by facts upon which tho gcol
osiss not yet agreed, by Inference from theories
that almost entirely anciful.
The author meets with the statement that Gods
revelations In nature and To his word cannot be- contra
dctory. We agree this, and still affirm that the Bible
and the deductions Of human science may often be
tagonstc. We therefore, change the establish
ed interpretations Of Scripture, the fahc and
partial conclusions Of oonccitcd and boastfu science
Science is Thing and is another thing. Ma
ture itself is harmonious with the revelation but
knowledge Of necessarily limited and con-
Trajectory We think that BIOLOGISTS had better change
their interpretations Of nature meet the demands OF
the Bible and not call upon to change ntcrprcta-
tons Of the Bible their diverse and partial theo-
nos Of nature.
There arc some admirable and Objectionable dis
courses n this volume. The one on the Wonders Of
Science compared with the wonders of Romance" is
very pleasant and instructive reading. The author
veas at times, what should be inclined call spirit
Of professional pcdantry He prcachcs for instance on
the "Cataydc Power Of the Gospel, aud again the
meteorological Illustrations OF character 70 sermons up
simple and obvious truths, that are not made any
the obvious for being illustrated hy scientific terms
and processes. tina, have also 90 be- explained In the
we are told how yeast 8 made and how it
works, and graycy informed that the power of lcaycu