Science, we find that the theories of yesterday have been exploded by the discoveries of to-day; and that the Philosophers of past generations are continually shown to be at war not only with each other, but also with truth, as it becomes better known. But here is the Bible, the oldest book that was ever written, in comparison with which every other is modern; it tells us of the heavens, the sun, moon and stars; of the earth and the sea, and all that in them is; of their origin and the laws that govern them and bind them together into a beautiful whole. It placed its teachings respecting these subjects on record thousands of years ago, when Astronomy was more of a dream than a Science, when Geology, Physiology, and Chemistry, were words and things unknown; and yet, notwithstanding all that Astronomy has since done to make us familiar with the countless orbs of heaven; notwithstanding all that Geology has done to extract from the bowels of the earth the remains of worlds which have existed before man was created; notwithstanding all that Physiology has done to reveal the laws of life; notwithstanding all that Chemistry has done to analyse matter, we challenge infidelity to pro

duce a single principle, which has been discovered and established, in this wide range of Science, and which stands in conflict with any truth or fact known

to

o be contained in the sacred Volume. Indeed, as we hope to show in the progress of the work we have prescribed to ourselves, so far is the Bible from having anything to apprehend from the investigations of Science, that it invites her to proceed with diligence in her appropriate task; and while it cautions her not to dishonor, her own name by theories that are crude and ephemeral, it asks her to hasten forward with her richest stores of discovery, that it may use them to strengthen its own claims on the faith of mankind, by showing that when the volume of nature is most widely unfolded, and is placed side by side with the volume of the gospel, they appear like twin stars, combining to [shed increased light on the otherwise dark world beneath them.

3

With this view of the subject before us, we will ask infidelity to account for such an unexampled, unresembled exemption from error, for this immaculate accuracy of the Bible-nothing from beginning to end of the Book, altered or erased, or needing

alteration or erasure to make its parts harmonize with each other, to free its pages from the prejudices or delusions of the age or the land in which they were written; or to bring its facts and its dodtrines into harmony with the ever-widening discoveries of Science and Philosophy? We have an explanation, if we admit that the Bible needs to undergo no emendations or changes, because how! ever varied as to their condition in life, their attain. ments of mind, or the age in which they lived, were the men whose pens contributed to produce the sacred volume, they were all inspired, were moved and controlled in their holy work by that Omniscient One "who seeth the end from the be ginning; neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but unto whose eyes all things are naked and open." This solves the case, and there is no other solution which is either just or rational. 4 bra bouded

Let me add a word more, which I trust many, if not all before me will rightly appreciate. If such be the care and the wisdom with which the Most High God has prepared his Word; and if such be the care and vigilance with which he has preserved

sit;how and in what spirit ought we to regard it?

The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times." Do we value them and honor them according to their worth? I appeal to the generous of heart, who shrink from the imputation of ingratitude as a stain on their names and a poison to their own peace. Can you bring yourselves to treat lightly a book which your Creator commends to your faith by stamping on its every page the broad seal of Heaven, by preserving it through all time with the wakefulness of an eye that never slumbers nor sleeps, and which he puts into your hands to mark out the pathway which leads you to heaven? I appeal to men of enlightened minds, to the lovers of truth and knowledge. Can you find a book in which the veins of wisdom run so rich and deep, in which the lore of former ages is so carefully embalmed, and the germ of all the later acquisitions of the human mind is seen rising so brightly and constantly to the eye of every reader? And lastly, I refer to that condition of our race in which we all share; share too largely; I appeal to all who have sins to be forgiven; who are offenders against

a righteous God; tell me, sinful men; if we shut up this Bible, where is your hope? If there is no help for you here, neither earth nor heaven contains it. In all the wide universe of God there is neither truth nor reality left to guide you in life or support you in death, and you are lost, lost forever.