south to 60° latitude north, and to the height of 14,000 feet above the level of the sea, in both the eastern and western hemispheres, with their respective seas. Consequently, he considers that such investigations demand more than ordinary attention, especially since they are found strictly in accordance with the records of Holy Writ. Nothing can do more to raise and expand the mind (if properly trained how to observe,) than travelling over all the accessible spots on the face of the earth, studying the laws and order of the different organic productions in the several zones, and all the great active operations of nature. Those who furnish from time to time a general knowledge of these subjects, however imperfect and incomplete, confer a benefit on mankind. It is considered that any one who writes a work setting forth more clearly and correctly the laws and operations of nature as they are actually observed, in different parts of the world, bringing them within the reach and comprehension of those who can read and think for themselves, deserves our thanks: under the influence of these impressions, and feeling strongly convinced of the truth and of the great importance of the subject, the Author has been induced to prepare this epitome for the public attention. In the following chapters the attentive reader, be he an astronomer, a geologist, or a professor of any other branch of natural philosophy, will perceive that the past state of our earth has been in accordance with the present—all subject to the constant changes produced by the great controlling power of terrestrial physics; showing the uniformity and unchangeable character of nature's laws, making us look up with solemn admiration to nature's AUTHOR, leading us to place the greatest confidence in the records of the dawn of the creation given by Moses, and in the instructions, warnings, and predictions contained in Holy Writ. The changes produced in the positions of the dry land, by the spiral movement of the terrestrial film of our globe, since the days of The observations of the ancient and modern philosophers, on the terrestrial changes which have been observed from time to time COSMOGONY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. SINCE the commencement of this century the Mosaic record of the creation has been so much questioned, both by divines and philosophers, as to encourage various interpretations of the first chapter of Genesis which are totally inconsistent with the original and the literal meaning of that simple and sublime narrative. It is said, that "the matter without form and void," "consisted of the wrecks of former worlds." Others, again, maintain that "the six days" were periods of long durations, &c. The fourth commandment has been, and still is, observed and respected by the Jews—since it was delivered by the Almighty to Moses on Mount Sinai-and by Christians. member the sabbath-day to keep it holy. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-day, and B "Re hallowed it." Yet this distinct declaration, which was accompanied by a solemn commandment, and which at the present time forms a part of the creed of both Jews and Christians, has been of late years not only called into question, but openly maintained to be actually untrue; because, it is said, that the world must have required not only days and years, but millions of years to bring it into a state, fit for the reception of the human race! Simply, What is the cause of this unbelief? because geologists have of late years discovered, in the rocks and the soil beneath, various relics of past ages, and the productions of different climes, for which they cannot account by the Mosaic narrative. This earth has been looked upon as if it had always been in the same state in which we now find it (with the exception of the disturbing action and the deposits of the deluge) since the days of the creation. When the effects of the flood were found insufficient to explain why the productions of different climes were entombed in our rocks, and other similar changes, every attempt was and still is made to alter the meaning of the sacred narrative, by means of the most overstrained and the most extravagant hypotheses. The fact is, continents are continually changing their physical aspects and configurations; some parts are emerging above, and other parts submerging below the level of the ocean, and moving in masses, imperceptibly, and unobserved |
