The Penn's Grove record., 1904-10-14


preached the following sermon, entitled
"What the Creation Means" He took his
text from Psalm 104:24, 20 Lord, how
manifold are Thy works, in wisdom hast
Thou made them all, the earth is full of
Thy riches"
represents the image of the whole cosmos.
1t is astonishing to find in a lyrical poem
of u limited compass the entire uni
verse, the heavens and the earth, sketched
with a few bold touches. The calm and
toilsome labor Of man from the rising of
the sun to the setting of the same, when
MS daily work is done, is 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 r~etrospection
Of an o%mnipotent and omnipresent invisi-
bic power which can renew the earth or
crumble it to dust, constitute a solemn and
exalted, rather than a glowing and gentle
form of poetic creation"
1t is thus a hymn of creation, written by
whom we know not. In the Sept it is
ascribed to David, but is anonymous in
the Hebrew psalter. The phraseology and
spirit are not unlike David, and the sub
ject matter may have been arranged in mis-
day as well as at any time. In the author
lied edition of the English Bible the au-
~thorship is accredited to David. The Eng
lish and American editions of the Revised
Version made no mention of it's writer,
but many and potent are the reasons which
lead us to the conclusion that the hymn
ologist of Israel composed this song for the
people of God. 1t was fitting that it
should be used in the temple, and it is
still consistent to employ it, since it 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 it is another argument
in favor of the unanimity of opinion con-
cerning the plan that God followed when
He created the universe. The work of the
6rat 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
80. 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 I'M
til much later. verses l+l8. The work of
the fourth day, the sun and moon, but with
special reference to 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 to it, and
describes the sea with its living creatures,
these with all else, the whole visible crea-
ton in absolute dependence upon God,
verses 243O. In verses 3l-35 the Psalmist
describes his longing to see the bright orig
inal 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 respecting the interpreta-
ton, because the literal translation reads:
20 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-
clude the use of provincialism, 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
Ind since that there was a time when only
Goo existed, and that there came a time
when the universe was formed. 1t is the
teaching of all the ancient faiths that the
universe did not spring into existence of
It's. own v~olition, 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 lighteth every man coming into the
world. It is the clear implication of the
Scriptures that there was a 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 tht
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 thought;
after God. 1t thus follows that we could
not think of the universe without seeing
something to suggest it.
Only the Almighty could design the uni
verse. Architecture is a science to be &C
luired under the instruction of one who
has mastered this branch of learning and
is therefore able to impart it to others
Designing a dwelling is possible because
there are those who have been instructed
in the art. Designing the universe is pos
sible only to God, since no other has beer
or is able to suggest a plan of such scope
and grandeur. He holds the key which TN.
locks the mysteries of this sublime concep.
tion.
Granting for the sake of argument that
there are minds of adequate scope to com
prehend the fact of a universe, we cannot
see any advantage, since a conception with.
out ability to execute must remain dor
mant. For a Moses who could smite q
rock, and a Joshua who could arrest tins
sun, would be baf1ed in attempting tc
create a universe. Men have lone great
things, but God has done greater. Man
can no more make designs for nature chan
he can cause the grass to grow and the
flowers to bloom. 1t is all within the abil
ity of God and of Him alone. 80 Lord
Thy works"
II. The Variety OF Gods Creation-"C
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 is constituted
of inorganic species. 1t has ever enlisted
the labors of the most brilliant intellects
and devoted students. Every decade oil
research has disclosed some relic Of the
ages, while eve greater fields remain un.
explored. What will be disclosed in the
future no one can tell. We cannot but be
lieve that more remains concealed thar
has been discovered. 20 Lord how mani
fold are Thy works"
The vegetable kingdom is filed with life
From the smallest plant to the largest tree
are varieties Innumerable.. This is another
field in which investigation has not beer
wanting. Great numbers of grasses, flow
ers and herbs of all kinds are being dis
covered. The massive collection is a surety
to ever greater discoveries. And we be
lieve that every coming century will dis
close some new form of life. 20 Lord how
manifold are Thy. works"
The animal kingdom possesses species
without number. The most minute insect
as well as the human family belong to it
Certain forms have become extinct, Others
are passing away. 1t is in this field thai
evolution has made some of its greatest
strides and met its most discomforting de
feats. Evolution is not to be set aside
without due consideration, for it holds 8
position in the minds of thinking men thai
cannot be ignored without serious loss
But it is only as evolution recognizes God
His character and work, that it can give
any light to a doctrine so mysterious. &C
Lord how manifold are Thy works"
There is still another kingdom. 1t i,
the kingdom of God, the kingdom o.
heaven. 1t is one in name, but occupie.
more territory than all the other kingdom,
combined. 1t includes all the redeemed o.
earth and multitude of saved in heaven
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