Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

ON THE MORALS OP CHRISTIANS. 263idolatrous thus to associate with the Deity ofTcte masses of spiritual matter,under the name of ^)f r.so?i.s, and worship the imaginary monster thus createdas the true God? Still more, is it not monstrous to represent that thosewho cannot adore this imaginary idol, are loilfidlij incredulous ?ll]43. I have said that the account of the creation, given in the Pentateuch,is inconsistent with geological facts. Much sophistry has been employedto escape from this truth.Thus eminent geologists have striven toreconcile the alleged creation of the world in six days, to mean actuallysix eras, each of immense duration;yet Scripture representing that theday succeeding those so employed, should be kept holy as a Sabbath, andthis being viewed inthe Decalogue as a period of twenty-four hours, precludesthe assignment of any longer durationto each of the six days, actuallyoccupied by the Creator in performing his great work.1344. To enable the reader to judge how far the facts ascertained bygeological investigation, can be reconciled with the scriptural account, Ishall here quote them, as stated by Professor Hitchcock, in his work entitled''Religion of Geology," page 19. It should be known to the reader thatthis author is among those who assume the Bible to be the word of Godupon the same grounds as the clergyman, (1182.)1345. ^' Under these circumstances, all that I can do, is to state definitelywhat I apprehend to be the established principles of the sciencethat have a bearing upon religious truth, and refer my hearers to standardworks on the subject for the proof that they are true. If any will nottake the trouble to examine the proofs, I trust they will have candour andimpartiality enough not to deny my positions.1346. '' The first important conclusion to which every careful observerwill come is, that the rocks of all sorts which compose the present crustof the globe, so far as ithas been explored, at least to the depth of severalmiles, appear to have been the result of second causes )that is, they arenow in a difi'erent state from that in which they were originally created.1347. '' It is, indeed, a favourite idea with some, that all the rocks andtheir contents were created, just as we now meet them, in a moment oftime ; that the supposed remains of animals and plants, which many ofthem contain, and which occur in all states, from an animal or plant littlechanged, to a complete conversion into stone, were never realanimals andplants, but only resemblances; and that the marks of fusion and of thewearing of water, exhibited by the rocks, are not to be taken as evidencesthat they have undergone such processes, but only that it has pleased Godto give them that appearance ; and that, in fact, it was as easy for God tocreate them just as they now are as in any other form.1348. ''It is a presumption against such a supposition, that no men,,who have carefully examined rocks and organic remains, are its advocates..Not that they doubt the power of God to produce such effects, but theydeny the probability that he has exerted it in this manner; for through--