Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-02

lid MEN LIVE BEFORE ADAMl-A late
number of the Westminster Review in MOTTO
ing posthumous collection of lectues ON ge-
ology, written by Hugh Miller, mikes some
startling statements relative to the probable
existence of human beings on the cath before
the time of the accredited head of he present
race of men. The attudinarianim of the
Westminster on many questions is generally
known, and therefore its adoption b the belief
that men existed antecedent to the tine assign
ed to Adam is not surprising-for tits belief is
expressed in the article referredto. 1t is
ounded on the discovery of certin imple-
ments, similar to those in use anon rude ma
tions in those geological deposits which sci
ence has proved were made manythousands
: of years since-long before the beginning of
the six thousand years which Scripture assigns
as the age of the present race of mei.
No substantiation of the hypothesis is deriv-
ed from the works of Hugh Miller, because he
died before the discoveries were made but
the Review remarks, concerning the book I'M
der notice, that zone especial charm which
these lectures have for us, is their eltire free
dom from those theological discussions and al.
lusions which form so prominent feature of
most of their authors writings. In their com
position he seems to have wisely determined to
apply himself in the first instance to the expo
sition Of geology as science, and to have re
served its bearing on Scripture for separate dis
courses :" and it holds that had Hugh Miller
lived until the present discoveries were made.
he would at once have recognized their logical
value, and admitted the inference to which
they seem so unequivocaly to lead. 1t even
intimates that he already had a suspicion of
such pre-Adamite existence of men, for che
abstained from pronouncing dogmatically, in
the lecture before us, against the higher anti
guilty of the human race; and we have been
much struck with the cautious manner in
which he expressed himself on this point" SC.
The discoveries on which the Review POUNDS
its startling theory are, first, the finding, by
M. De Perthes, of flints obviously fashioned
by the hands Of man, in gravel PITS on hills
two hundred feet high, in the neigI borhood of
Abbeville, in France, associated with the re-
mains of the extinct elephant, rhino.eros, bear,
hyena, stag, OK and horse the gravel beds of
sand and loans containing the delicate shells
of fresh.water mulluska.
A similar discovery was made under the
floor of a cave in Devonshire, England. Mr..
Prestwich and Mr.. Evans, two capable geolo-
gists, have been examining these cases, and
from their investigation, according to the West
minister, the inference seems irresistible, there
fore, that these implements were originally i'm
bedded in the gravel with the remains Of
animals which are positively known to have
tenanted Europe during the period of the for
hitoiOh anu phC OHiy lSooOudulb uOuDl tlldG
can present itself as to mans cotemporancity
with them arises out of the question whether
these fints were really fashioned by the art of
man, or whether they may have derived their
peculiar configuration from natural causes
The latter, however, is asserted to be clearly
impossible.
: The two biologists have also given their at
tention to similar case of discovery, in the last
century, OF flint weapons in conjunction with
al,,;t
depth of eleven or twelve feet from the sur
face, the gravel being overlaid by sand and
earth. The Investigations here are said to be
equally conclusive, and further explanations,
the Review thinks, will reveal similar evil
dences
Here is a new and attractive field open for
geological and Scriptural exposition. 1t will
doubtless largely engage the attention of geo.
logical and Biblical scholars.