The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-10-14
A SERMON FOR SUNDAY
an ELOQUENT DISCOURSE BY THs
REV. c. /. PALMER.
Subject; What the Creation Means-oniy
the Almighty Could Make such
Wor,d-rhere 8. No Riddle OF the Uni.
Ner,e-The Answer IL Imm mortality.

Thy riches
Won Humboldt says: That this Psalm
represents the image Of the whole cosmos
IL is astonishing 10 find IN a lyrical poem
of such limited compass the entire uni.
verse, the heavens and the earth sketched
with a few bold touches. The calm and
tOlisOme labor Of man from the rising Of
the sun 10 the setting OF the same, when
his daily work Is done, ls here contrasted
with the moving life of the elements Of
nature. This contrast and generalization
Is the conception OF the mutual action Of
natural phenomena, and this retrospection
OF an omnipotent and omnipresent lnvls-
bic power which can renew the earth or
Crumble IL 20 dust, constitute a solemn and
exalted, rather than glowing and gentle
form of poetic creation"
Il Is thus hymn of creation, written by
whom we know not. In the Sept il is
asoribed 10 David, but is ANONYMOUS IN
the Hebrew psalter. The phraseology and
spirit are not unlike David, and the sub
lect matter may have been arranged in his
day as well as at any time. In the author
lied edition OF the English Blp,e the au-
thorship is accredited TO David. The Eng
lsh and American editions OF the Revised
Version made no mention of It's writer.
but many and potent are the reasons which
lead US 10 the conclusion that the hymn
ologist of Israel composed this song for the
people of God. Ii was fitting that II
should be used in the temple, and il is
still consistent 10 employ IT, since II ex-
presses a truth that time cannot change.
Unlike many of the Psalms this one is
capable of analysis, the natural and logi-
cal plan being a reproduction Of the six
creative periods. This is not only evident
TO the careful reader, but is confirmed by
the most reliable sources. And this Is not
unimportant, since 1t Is another argument
IN favor of the unanimity of opinion con.
hp VI hat bsn N
He created the universe. The work OF the
first and second days, light, the sky, clouds,
winds, lightning occupy verses IA. The
original chaotic state, and the separation
of land from water on the third day, verses
so The third creative day continued that
which had been commenced on the preced-
ing. The growth OF plants and trees,
which implies irrigation by clouds and
streams Here the poet introduces birds
and creatures OF the field and forest. which
do not appear in the Mosaic narrative un-
I'll much later verses l4-ls. The work OF
the fourth day, the sun and moon, but with
special reference 10 men and animals.
verses 1926 The poet having already wo-
ven into his song part of the work of the
fifth and sixth days, now returns 10 II, and
describes the sea with its living creatures,
these with all che, the whole visible crea-
tIon IN absolute dependence upon God,
verses 24-30. In verses 81 -35 the Psalmist
describes his longing to see the bright orig
lnal restored
The text being the oath verse is a part of
the division including verses 1926, which
treat of the fourth days work when the
sun and moon were made but referring
particularly TO men and animals. There
can be no doubt respec Srlg the interpreta-
tion, because the literal translation reads:
80 Lord. how manifold are Thy works, in
wisdom hast Thou made them all, the earth
is full of Thy creatures"
!. The Psalmist Recognizes God as the
Creator-"O Lord Thy works" Writing
by inspiration does not necessarily pre-.
c,ude the use OF provincalism, provided
that such correctly describe facts. And
they may be enlarged or modified in order
to be accurate. The doctrine taught in
this Psalm is in strict accord with notions
prevailing at the time of its composition
and since that there was a time when only
God existed, and that there came a time
when the universe was formed IL is the
teaching OF all the ancient faiths that the
universe did not spring into existence of
its own vo,ition, but was made out OF moth
ING by Almighty God. Often. however, the
conception is vague and confused and even
meaningless, because destitute OF that light
which hghteth every man coming into the
world. II IL the clear implication OF the
Scriptures that there was time when
God was alone and that the time came
when He employed His power to fashion
the heavens and the earth.
Only the great God could conceive such
compilation and complication Of organic
and inorganic matter. Since creation many
wonderful thoughts have occupied the
minds OF men. but none have suggested
themselves They have been waited into
and born through the channel of human
thinking by the appearance of some sug-
gestive occurrence. We think our thoughts
tal I, 81
not think of the universe without seeing
something 10 suggest II.
Only the Almighty could design the uni.
verse. Architecture Is science TO be ac-
CURED under the instruction OF one who
has mastered this branch of learning and
Is therefore able TO impat il 90 others.
Designing a dwelling is possible because
there are those who have been instructed
in the art. Designing the universe is pos.
sbie only 10 God, since no other has been
or IS able 70 suggest n plan of such scope
and grandeur He holds the key which un.
locks the mysteries OF this sublime concep-
tOn.
Granting for the sake of argument that
there are minds OF adequate scope - com.
prehend the fact Of a universe. we cannot
sec any advantage, since a conception with
ou: ability to execute must remain dor.
mant. For Moses who could smite
rock, and a Joshua who could arrest the
sun. would be baffed in attempting 10
create a universe. Men have done great
things, but God has done greater. Man
can no more make designs for nature than
be can cause the grass 20 grow and the
flowers 90 bloom. IL Is all within the abil-
lty of God and OF Him alone. 20 Lord
Thy works"
IT, The Variety Of God's Creation-"O
Lord how manifold are Thy works which
is simply the biblical form Of expressing
the many organized types OF the Creators
handiwork. These are denominated king.
doms. The mineral kingdom II constituted
Of inorganic species IL has ever enlisted
the labors OF the most brilliant intellects
aud devoted students. Every decade Of
research has disclosed some relic Of the
ages, while even greates fields remain un.
explored. What VIII be disclosed IN the
future 10 one can tell. We cannot but be
iieve that more remains concealed than
fold are Thy works
The vegetable kingdom is SLED with life.
Prom the smallest plant 20 the largest tree
are varieties Innumerable. This ~ another
field IN which invest cation has not been
wanting Great numbers of grasses. flow.
ers and herbs Of all kinds are beng Dis
covered. The massive collection D. a surety
20 eye- greater q G.srJyeTies. And We be-
heve that every coming century VII Dis
closs some new form of life. % Lord how
manii0.d are Thy works
be animal k.nyGJm possesses species
without nun ber The most minute insect
az well as the human family belong % u.
Certain forms have become extinct. others
are passing away. IL is in this field that
evolution has made some % ia greatest
strides and met is most discomfortng de-
feats. y luton j. not 20 be Get aside
without cge consideration. Tor Il hods
position n the minds Of thinking men that