| B. C. | |
| Bunsen in his latest recension, about | 2600 |
| Prof. C. Piazzi Smith, by astronomical calculations | 2170 |
| George Rawlinson (in “Aids to Faith,” p. 297) | 2400 |
These dates may be compared with the call ofAbraham—B. C. 2248.——J. P. Thompson (Genesis and Geology, p. 86) says—“The three great pyramids by the common consent of Egyptologers are assigned to the fourth dynasty of kings of the old empire, as given by Manetho.”
It will be seen that these dates for Menes, the first king, and for the oldest pyramids are amply provided for within the extension of sacred chronology as above indicated.——Other points in Egyptian antiquities will be treated of in their place.
On the general subject of the antiquity of man, it only remains to touch briefly the subsidiary questions stated above, p. [49].
(a.) Were there one or more races of primeval men, pre-Adamic, but now extinct?
So far as reliable facts have yet come to light there is no sufficient evidence of the affirmative. Our investigations into the antiquity of man do not seem to demand a longer time than the extended sacred chronology above presented affords. It is perhaps too soon to say that no evidence will yet appear of a pre-Adamic race not in existence now. But it will be soon enough to recognize the fact when the evidence shall have been adduced. Till then, it is more scientific to believe only so far as we have knowledge based on evidence.
(b.) Have there been various head-centers of existing human species, or only one, and that Adam?——Or (the same question in different form) Are all the living varieties of race lineally descended from Adam? and all from Noah?——These questions contemplate the well known diversities of race in the existing human family.
The classification of race is made somewhat variously by different authors; but the more common one makes five classes: The Caucasian, or white; The Mongolian, or yellow; The Ethiopian negro race, or black; The American, or red; and the Malayan, or brown. (See Webster.)
Let it be premised in the outset that this distinction of race is one of variety and not of species. It sits upon the surface and does not penetrate to the inner nature. All these races have the same anatomical structure; the same physical organs; and what is far more, the same intellectual and moral nature. Every-where they exhibit the common effects of the fall ofAdam; the same depravity of moral nature; the same common need of redemption by Christ.——These are cardinal traits and tests. What is the color of the skin compared with the stamp of God’s image upon the very nature itself?