Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-29

fruitful source OF attacks upon the truth OF
the Bible record of creation. The claim
set up BY some geologists that the world
has existed for perhaps millions Of years,
is not considered by all scientists beyond
reasonable doubt; but granted all that Is
claimed under this head, this claim does
not initiate against
THE MOSAIC STATEMENT.
This was explained when the Bishop
passed to the objections set up by Huxley
and others that the work or order of ere
alton az given in Genesis is contrsdicted
by the record written on the geological
strata. To this the Bishop replied By
quoting high authorities WIG question the
very premises laid down by these men,
aud msintain that these premises are BY
no means 30 infalhbly certain as inhdel
scientists pretend. But even though we ad-
nit their premises, it cannot be shown that
the Bible is in contradiction TO the
discoveries Of geological science. After
some explanatory remarks, the 1t. Rev.
lecturer took up the Bible record and IL
ytituted o comparison between its state
ments and the teaching Of modern geolo-
gists. This comparison, carried on
through the several days or periods men
toned By Moses, shows such an admirable
harmony between the Bible and the con,
clusions of modern science, that the I'M
biased mind cannot but find therein a
strong confirmation of the inspiration OF
the sacred writer. For without such In
spiratiop, he could lot have known in his
day that wondrous process Of gradual de.
yelopmsnt which modern science would
fam Law claim to as its own grand dlseo'-
erg. In all its main features, the Bible
record is in
SUCH STRIKING HARMONY
with the results of scientific investigations
that we may truly infer that science rather
STRENGTHENS than veasens our faith IN the
Sacred Scriptures. The Bishop exposed
the line of argument employed with
such an air Of dogmstic assurance oy
Huxley and others, in their efforts to I'm,
pugu the truth Of Genesis in its history OF
the creation or frat appearance of living
beings. These objections be answered by
citing the testimonies Of equally learned
scientists, who can see, in the discoveries
Of modern times. no refdtuation OF the
B bic record. He also alleged certain
hypotheses advanced by scholarly vrltere
10 prove that granting all that these inhdei
Scientists claim, the Mosaic record would
BE STILL USINPAiRE2.
He again alluded in complimentary
terms to the defense of Genesis which, in
the midst of his many political duties,
the English Premier had found time to
make, in refutation of the ant-Chris.isn
theories Of Prof. Huxley.
But vast and wonderful" said the RI.
Rev. Lecturer, las i5 the inorganic world
manifold as are the mysteries OF nature
the most perplexiug Of all questions TO the
philosopher is the origin Of life. Here
spaiu we fud scientists of the inhdel
school arrsyed against the teachings OF
Divine revelation. According to the Bible
God is the author OF life; according 10 sci,
ence, az interpreted b. msterialists, life has
sprung from lifeless matter, whilst matter
itself has existed from eternity. The spec
ulstions of in6del Daturslists were set forth
and the replies of Christian philosophers
were given by the Bishop" With al .ts
wonderful discoveries, science has signstly
failed to produce a single instance OF life
developed or evolved from inorganic or
Efeless elements Darwin himself Is forced
to admit Origin of Species, p. 568):
Science as Jet throws no light on the
problem of the essence or origin OF lite. "
His contention ia, in that work, to prove
that taking life for grsnted) all living
things have come chiefly By law which
be calls Natural Selection" from, at most,
q few primordial living types.
This question will be more fully treated
on the next sna subsequent Sunday even,
ipgs.