Whose day-light never shall expire.”

3. All the light that ministers communicate to mankind, or to the members of the church, is derived from Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, as the light of the planets is from the natural sun. The pastors of the church have neither light nor grace of themselves: they receive all from the “Father of lights,” in whose light only they can see light; and it pleased him that in Christ should “all fulness dwell.” Both ministers and people must be enlightened with emanations from him, or remain in darkness. St. Paul frankly acknowledges, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Without him, the most eminent minister would be like a dark lamp. Hence they have no reason to be proud of their qualifications; for they have received all their gifts and graces from Christ. Their fitness for the ministerial work is not to be ascribed either to their natural powers, the force of a superior genius, a liberal education, intense study, or even to goodness and piety, but to the gratuitous bounty of God only. So likewise, whatever success in the exercise of those gifts and graces they may have had, it flowed not from such sources, but from Christ. “I have planted,” says St. Paul, “and Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” The largest planets are inconsiderable in comparison of the sun, which is the great natural fountain of light and heat. The holy prophets are nothing when brought into contrast with Jesus Christ. And John the Baptist, though superior to all his predecessors, conscious of his own vast inferiority, confessed, “He it is who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.”—As the planets shine with no other light than that derived from the sun; so ministers are to be resplendent only with the radiance of Divine truth, received from the eternal Fountain of illumination. They are not to shine with the glimmering light of fallable reason, the sparks of human wisdom, the glow-worm rays of vain philosophy; not with the subtlety of Aristotle, the penetration of Cartes, the eloquence of Cicero, the speculations of Plato, the propositions of Euclid; but with the correct and comprehensive knowledge of the Scripture, which is “given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In a lower sense, it must be acknowledged, that human learning is of considerable use, affording ministers certain qualifications for their work. The knowledge of the languages, moral and natural philosophy, sacred and profane history, mathematical science, the art of speaking, particularly those branches of logic which teach us to range our thoughts in a right method, to form propositions distinctly, and to draw just conclusions from acknowledged premises: I say, the knowledge of these different branches of literature and science, may very much assist ministers to discover and defend the truth, and refute its adversaries with their own weapons. But they must derive all their peculiar lustre and excellence from the volume of Divine inspiration, whence, as chosen instruments, they can make people wise to salvation.

4. Ministers are like the stars of heaven, because of the difference that is among them, in respect of gifts and ability. The stars differ from one another in situation, magnitude, influence, and glory. “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.” The gradation extends from stars of the first to those of the sixth magnitude. Some are so dazzling, that they appear with a peculiar splendor among the shining beauties of the night: others are obscure and nebulous; and there are many which can only be seen with the help of telescopes. The stars of the moral hemisphere are not all enlightened, “by the Day-spring from on high,” with the same degree of intellectual and Divine radiance. They have not all the same gifts, nor gifts in the same measure. Profound knowledge, excellency of speech, solidity and firmness of judgment, prudence and dexterity of conduct, are not usually the portion of one, but distributed among several ministers. One excels in a talent for preaching, another is eminent for utterance and power in prayer, and another is distinguished by wisdom and stability for government. Paul was sublime and cogent in reasoning; Apollos was copious, eloquent, and mighty in the Scriptures; John soars high in mysteries, and yet excels in sweetness; Isaiah is pompous and magnificent in his style; David charms and surprises us at the same time, with his ecstatic raptures and poetic strains. In the largest assembly of ministers there are not two alike, far less equal in all things. Some, like stars of the first magnitude, shine with great brilliancy: others have rays which are weak and obscure. Some are prudent, but not eloquent. Some have the gift of preaching, but are not remarkable for prudence and moderating their passions. Some have the art of affecting the passions: others have the skill of enlightening the mind, and informing the judgment. Some, appearing as if formed in a finer mould, have a talent of politeness and address, in their intercourse with people of character. Some, like skillful physicians, know how to deal with afflicted souls, and relieve wounded consciences. Some are sons of thunder, while others are sons of consolation. Though every minister should have a competency of each of these gifts, yet some excel in one, and some in another. Thus “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit;” and God, in diversifying his gifts, makes his manifold wisdom appear. The Christians at Corinth not understanding this, or too emulous for the first-rate talent, without sufficiently regarding Divine agency, which can render the meanest useful, became clamorous, and their indecorous conduct is held up to all succeeding ages, with the censure they deservedly merited. However, to calm their perturbation, he says, “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”

5. While some stars disappear, others arise that were not previously observed. “Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live forever?” Many, “of whom the world was not worthy,” who were bold to suffer for the name of Christ, not only the spoiling of their goods, the loss of liberty, and banishment from their native country, but even death itself, have rested from their labors and afflictions, and are now enjoying a glorious reward. The Lord also sometimes raises up extraordinary lights, for asserting and propagating the truth, when his church is overwhelmed with the dark clouds of heresy and superstition. Of this Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha, as well as many other prophets, whom the Lord called in an extraordinary manner, were remarkable instances, in the Old Testament: and, in the New Testament, John the Baptist, and the apostles of Christ, whose voices were heard, and whose rays extended to the ends of the earth. When the Christian church was covered with the dark superstition and idolatry of antichrist, God raised up some eminent lights, from time to time, to diffuse the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and lead the people out of mystic Babylon. Such were John Wickliffe in England, John Huss and Jerome of Prague in Bohemia; and, a hundred years afterwards, Luther in Germany, Zuinglius in Switzerland, Calvin in France and Geneva, and John Knox in Scotland, whom Beza calls the apostle of the Scots. Then did the Gospel run, and was glorified, like a mighty torrent carrying before it not only cities and provinces, but whole nations and kingdoms.[140] Actuated by zeal for religion, says a clergyman of the Establishment, “Wickliffe, Jerome, and Huss, roused the slumbering clergy to opposition. The zeal of Luther and his associates alarmed all Germany, and shook the Papal throne itself. Gilpin alone, in a dark period, evangelized a large part of the northern counties of England. Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley, by their steady perseverance unto death, illuminated the British Isles. The zeal of Whitefield and the two Wesleys has, even in our day, made England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, experience very important consequences.” Missionaries actuated by primitive zeal, and sent out by different societies to preach the Gospel among Heathen nations, like burning luminaries are chasing away the darkness of ignorance, gross superstition, and degrading idolatry, and, on their ruins, establishing the kingdom of Christ, and the reign of truth, peace, righteousness, and benevolence, in the earth.

6. Ministers, considered as stars placed in the moral firmament, should shine with purity of doctrine, fervency of zeal, and holiness of life, both in the summer of prosperity, and in the winter of adversity. 1st. In the solemn assemblies of God’s people. Jerome says, Our pulpit should be as Mount Tabor, where we should converse with Moses and the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles, minding that we have to do with a holy God, and with the immortal souls of people, which must be shortly either in heaven or hell. 2d. Amongst their flocks, by an innocent, instructive, and pious conversation, giving them no encouragement, by their example, to sin; but alluring them to better worlds, and pointing out the way thither. Their whole life should be a transcript of the holy life of the blessed Jesus, a living epistle in which the people may read the way wherein they ought to walk. 3d. In their families. A minister should be “one that ruleth well his own house,” properly presiding over and governing his own family: “for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” Eli’s conduct brought heavy judgments on himself and family, and a great scandal on the church.

Theory of the earth.

[Such intimations and analogies as can be drawn from nature may, with propriety, be applied to the explanation of natural phenomena, in the absence of direct and satisfactory proof. Allowing this assumption, we conclude that the intimations and analogies in nature are sufficiently strong and clear to authorize a belief, that all heavenly bodies are similar in their great constitutional principles, and designs, and that our earth may be taken as a fair and satisfactory sample of them all.

The only probable departure from this strong analogy in the heavenly bodies, seems to be this: the suns, or centres of systems, have a peculiar collection of phosphorescent clouds, which are designed to be the great exciting causes, or dispensers, of light to the planets which move round them. The planets have not these phosphorescent clouds.

This does not interfere with the general analogies between the heavenly bodies; and establishes the strict analogies between the planets of all systems; and the suns, or centres of all systems.

From all this we conclude, that a theory of our earth which is satisfactory, will also be deemed satisfactory in regard to the other heavenly bodies. We therefore lay down, as authorized by the intimations and analogies of nature, the following positions.

1. There is a general analogy between the constitutional principles and designs of the heavenly bodies; i.e. the suns and their planets.

2. That the sun, or center of each system, with all the planets and satellites revolving about it, were created simultaneously, as it regards their substances.

3. That they were created at their relative distances from the centre which they now preserve.

4. That they were stationary when first created, having no motion either on their axis, or in their orbits.

5. That the materials of each body, when first created, were solid, frozen, and lifeless.

6. That the materials of each body were created in their simple, uncombined, or elementary states.

7. That it is most probable these elementary materials were promiscuous in the mass, without regard to specific gravity, or any other principle or law.

8. That the arrangement of the materials of which our earth is composed was effected by the operation of the laws of nature, as they are called, which were simultaneously impressed upon the matter of the Solar System, and is continued impressed, by the direct agency of the Divine Being.

9. That this reference of the commencement, and continuance of the energies of the laws of nature, directly to the Almighty, is both philosophical and scriptural; and is noted by Moses in these words: “And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (or deep.”)

Reasoning from these data, let us now see whether the phenomena of the structure and arrangement of our planet are explicable to a satisfactory degree.

1. Immediately upon the impress of the laws of nature, by the direct effort of the Divine Being, the whole mass would commence revolving on its own axis, and moving around its centre in its orbit. At the same time a quickening impulse would be felt, from the operation of the laws of nature, which would impart life and animation to the mass. The first effect of this impulse would be to call the caloric, light, and electricity into action throughout the body. This would raise its temperature instantly, and call into action all the other powerful agents, as soon as formed: such as the acids, alkalis, &c.

2. There will be no difficulty, to those who know the power of these agents, in believing that the consequence of their united action would be an immediate fusion of the whole mass. This would establish a state of chemical mobility; i.e. the various materials, owing to their fusion, would be at liberty to combine, according to the laws of chemical affinity; and to take their relative positions, according to the laws of gravitation.

3. The result of this process would be binary, and ternary, and other combinations. Oxygen would enter into combination with the bases of the various acids, and thus form the acids; and with the various metals and thus form oxides; and the acids and oxides would unite and thus form other compounds, commonly called salts.

4. As such combinations as these would commence forming first, water and air would be gradually and subsequently formed, by the three gasses, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, escaping from the mass and rising to the surface, where the oxygen combining with the hydrogen would form water; and with the nitrogen would form air.

5. It is evident that the very small specific gravity of the gases would cause them to escape from the interior parts of the earth, rapidly, and to accumulate at the surface in immense quantities. The consequence of this would be, an immense amount of water would be generated at the earth’s surface; but the oxidizable bodies in the interior of the mass would not, all of them, be completely saturated with oxygen.

6. The condition of the earth, at this stage of the action, would be an inconceivably high state of ignition, specially in the interior, and a rapid chemical action still going on; the combinations still forming, and the bodies thus formed arranging themselves. In a very little time the various classes of bodies would have obtained, generally, their natural relative positions, according to their specific gravities; and all the combinable elements, in the same neighborhood, having combined, a state of comparative rest would ensue of course.

7. In the mean time, large quantities of different substances would be held in solution by the acids, alkalis, and water, whose solvent powers would be very much increased by the presence of intense heat.

8. If we examine the whole mass at this stage of the natural process, we will find it is in a condition to crystallize whenever it can be reduced to a sufficiently low temperature to admit of crystallization. We know that the reduction of temperature would commence at the surface, where the caloric would be conducted upwards through the waters, and would fly off into the celestial spaces. Of course, the first crystallized depositions would take place at the junction of the waters with the oxides or earths, in a state of fusion, on which the lower stratum of water was resting.

9. This first deposition would extend all around the globe, as the waters entirely invested the earth, and would lay the foundation of the primitive family of rocks, which are well known to be crystalline in their structure, and the result of chemical action. It is, however, evident that there were occasional tremendous agitations, and concussions during the deposition of the primitive rocks, which altered the state of the fluids, and caused successive, and, sometimes, alternating strata to deposit.

10. The period of the deposition of the primitive rocks continued until the elevations on the earth’s surface were uncovered, became dry, and were subject to the disintegrating, and rending powers of the elements: at which time some marine animals, and some vegetables, adapted to warm and moist climates, were created. The consequence of this state of things would be that fragments of rocks, and marine animal and vegetable remains would be found in the composition of the strata deposited at this period, and subsequently. The family of rocks thus deposited is called transition rocks.

11. This is the proper place to institute an inquiry into the origin of these primitive elevations or mountains.

12. It will be very obvious, that a mass of materials thrown into chemical action, and raised to a very high temperature, as explained above, would naturally, and necessarily be upheaved at different points on its surface, by the gases, and other bodies escaping from the interior. And though the general softness of the mass would cause these elevations to sink back again at first, upon the escape of the gaseous bodies upheaving them; yet, when the surface of the earth, which would cool by coming into contact with the water, would thus begin to become solid, the elevations would maintain themselves, and consolidate, and thus lay the foundations of the irregularities which, subsequently, would rise into mountains, and mountain chains, and sink into vallies, by the combined action of the internal heat, and the occasional rapid rise and subsidence of the waters, which would alter the shape and appearance of the mountains, and deepen the vallies.

13. But it becomes very natural to inquire into the cause of the rapid rise, and subsidence of the waters at particular times; which will also explain the cause of the distinctions so obvious in the nature and ages of the different families of rocks.

14. It will be recollected that the interior parts of the earth are in a state of high ignition, and an immense quantity of water surrounds the globe, the crust of which is consolidating. By the natural pressure of the water, by an occasional eruption of gas from the interior, and by percolation, &c., the water would have access to the interior materials in a heated state. In this case there would be an immense production of steam, and decomposition of water, which would of course produce an earthquake, until it broke forth in a volcano under the waters. In this case an elevation would be produced on the surface, and, in all probability, a cavity in the interior from whence the elevated materials came.

15. These phenomena would happen in quick succession, and very extensively in the first period of the world; and every time they happened, they would reduce the quantity of water at the surface, by admitting some into the interior cavities; and by decomposing much; the oxygen and hydrogen of which would enter into other combinations.

16. This will account for the rise and subsidence of the waters, the formation of vallies, and mountains, and the alterations in the fluids, so as to deposit the different strata in succession.

17. During this process above, cavities sufficiently numerous and capacious, filled with water, would be formed in the earth to relieve the surface, in a great measure. But it seems pretty evident that the waters thus retired into those cavities were occasionally thrown back on the earth, by the same means with which earthquakes and volcanos are produced; and thus tremendous currents would ensue, which would successively bury the vegetable materials in the adjoining lakes, out of which the coal basins are formed; and also bury those immense forests of trees, with the bones of animals, and fishes also, which have been so clearly and satisfactorily described by geologists.

18. Each successive deluge, in proportion to its power and extent, would alter the quantity and quality of the materials held in solution, and thus cause a corresponding deposition subsequently. Hence, as remarked above, the distinction in the strata, and the alternations of different substances successively.

19. It may not be amiss here to say, it is very probable, that many deluges preceded the formation of man, produced on the same principles as the deluge of Noah, though for different purposes, according to the wishes of the Divine Being.

20. To what has been said above, it is only necessary to add, that all depositions, or formations of rocks took place at the bottom of the ocean, or waters which held the materials in solution, or suspended; and that this ocean maintained its dominion for long periods together, in comparative tranquility, and during such times the different rock formations were deposited. The marine animals would multiply, die, and their exuviæ quietly fall to the bottom: at the same time carbonate of lime would be copiously deposited from the sea waters, and thus would consolidate into a stratum of rock, the thickness of which would bear some proportion to the length of the period of its deposition. If this stratum remained in its place, upon the retiring of the sea, it would appear at the surface at first; until it was covered with mould, and the ruins of other rocks disintegrated into earth, or soil. But if it were upheaved by the force of the internal fire, it would become a limestone mountain, containing the organic remains as they were first quietly deposited. The same may be said of primitive mountains, or any other kind.

21. The transition rocks, the formation of which was barely noticed above, (No. 10) were deposited successively in strata, indicating their relative ages by the increase of rocky fragments, and fossil remains in their composition, from the oldest of the family to the newest: and also by the gradual change in their structure, which is more crystalline in the oldest, and becomes less so in the newest, owing to the decrease of chemical action, and the increase of mechanical deposition.

22. From the fossil remains in the different strata of the transition rocks, we have good evidence of successive deluges, which swept away the animals existing at the time, and buried their remains which are now found in a fossil state; and others succeeded them. This will account for particular animals being peculiar to particular strata of rocks.

23. During the transition period the chemical action ceased almost entirely, and the succeeding family of rocks, i.e. the secondary, was deposited mechanically, their materials being merely suspended in the waters. This class, therefore, is not crystalline in its structure, and is nearly horizontal in position and contains greater quantities of fossil remains, both of animals and vegetables. These remains are, also, the relics of beings more delicately organized, and approach much nearer to the genera and species of animals now existing.

24. During the deposition of this class of rocks, and also of the tertiary class which succeeded it, the sea retired far from the up-lands, and well nigh into its permanent beds. The up-lands would, by the disintegrating power of the elements, be worn away at their surface, and thus afford the matter of soil, which would naturally be carried down towards the final retreat of the sea, by the waters, and be deposited in the vallies, and low countries. The same process would furnish fragments of rocks in abundance, and of all kinds, which would be rolled down the declivities of the up-lands, and become more or less rounded, and thus be found entering into the rocks of the secondary and tertiary classes; or in beds of sand and gravel, or in the channels of rivers in the form of pebbles. If these fragments were thrown together in sufficient quantities, and a suitable cement deposited among them they would consolidate and form pudding-stone, or breccia marble; such as the Potomac marble, of which the columns in the Capitol at Washington City are made.

25. It is very evident that this process would deposit the heavier fragments, and materials nearest the highlands whence they originated; and carry the finer and richer matter further away towards the sea, and deposit it nearer the mouths of the rivers. This is well known to be the case, as in the Mississippi. Here the phenomena are doubtless, from the mouth, along all its tributaries to their sources.

26. While these successive depositions were making, modified by tremendous eruptions from the force of subterranean fire, the same agent of these modifications would produce another very striking phenomena. The immense quantity of matter thrown from the interior to the surface in a melted state, would either shoot up in the form of cones, or columns, and by cooling crystallize and consolidate; or would flow in its melted state over the surface of the upper rocks, and thus cover them. This is the case with a class of rocky substances which may be called by the general name of basalt. Sometimes when the force below was not sufficient to protrude the melted matter through the superincumbent rocks, it drove it in between the strata, or shot it up through some of the strata; frequently upheaving the rocks on one side of the protruding body, or depressing them on the other. In this case the injected matter constitutes what is called a fault, shaft, or dike, by miners.

27. It is not improbable, nay, it is pretty certain, that many of these basaltic ejections took place under the ancient chaotic abyss of waters, and have become visible by the retiring of the sea.

28. In this theory we have a satisfactory explanation of the formation of metallic veins, and the dispersion of metallic grains in sands, and soil. The metals being in a pure state, or nearly so, in the bowels of the earth when projected upwards by the force of subterranean power, would be injected into the rocks in the direction of the operating force. Hence they are found in veins in solid rocks, running in all directions, and descending to unknown depths. Sometimes the whole of the vein appears to be insulated by the rock. In this case, the whole mass was fused, at least partly, and when the force ceased to act, it would consolidate around the injected metal, leaving no trace of its injection. Sometimes the metallic vein evidently entered the rock from above. In this case the metal in a melted state was thrown to the surface, and meeting with a chasm, ran into it and consolidated into a vein. When the metal was raised from below in a state of fusion in conjunction with an immense mass of rocky matter in a state of fusion, they would appear at the surface mixed throughout. When this rocky mass yielded to the disintegrating power of the elements, the particles of the metal and rock would be carried off together into the lower positions, and be found in the form of dust, in the secondary, or lower countries.

29. The shape of the earth, in regard to which it is said the polar diameter is less than the equatorial, would be the same on the above theory, as it has been shown to be, on the supposition that the earth was in a soft state by the solvent powers of water, as commonly supposed.

30. It is a matter of peculiar pleasure to the Christian philosopher, to observe the strong tendency in the Science of Geology, to confirm the account of the creation of the world, as given by Moses in the Bible. By a careful comparison of the account of Moses with well established geological positions, it will be found that they agree expressly, in the order and nature of the events. This is a splendid evidence in favor of revelation. There can be no doubt, but, that if the phenomena of nature, and the teachings of the Bible were better understood, more striking and unexpected agreements would be found. Religion and Science will one day be inseparable.

Remarks.

1. It will be necessary for the reader to peruse the above theory very attentively, in order to form a correct judgment of it, as it is merely an outline, very briefly drawn up, yet it is hoped, pretty clearly. Whether it be well calculated to explain the great leading geological phenomena which we observe, the reader will determine for himself. It was not drawn up in view of such explanation, but was constructed by induction from those well ascertained phenomena. It was drawn up out of view of any ultimate object, or system, previously embraced, and is even different from the writer’s previous opinions, before he had diligently compared all the facts within his reach. It is therefore entitled to the merit of having been drawn up with a sincere desire to attain to truth on this interesting subject, and not to support a favorite theory.

2. Upon examination it will be found to reconcile, in a great measure, the Vulcanian and Neptunian theories which have so long divided the principal writers on Geology. It will be found that both fire and water were concerned in producing the great geological phenomena. It cannot be doubted but that subterranean force commenced the irregularities on our earth’s surface, and continued the action, probably with occasional intermissions, in upheaving the mountains, and mountain chains: but as this was commenced, and principally accomplished, under the ancient sea, there can be no doubt but that the water has had a powerful and extensive agency in modifying the structure and composition of mountain, and moderate elevations. And while we have every reason to believe the force of subterranean fire was the principal agent in rending, dislocating, and confusing the rock formations of the crust of our earth; we have no less reason to acknowledge the agency of water in depositing the various strata; contributing to the disintegration of the exposed uplands; and carrying down the alluvion which form the fertile tracts of vallies, and low countries; and the sand bars, and banks at the outlets, of rivers, bays, gulfs, &c.

3. This view will be more clearly explained by examining the shape of continents, islands, and countries, which will be found to correspond, pretty nearly with the shape of the mountain ranges in each. That is: the length of a continent, island, or country will be found to be in the direction of the mountain range; and the breadth across the mountain range.

4. This would be the shape which would naturally result from the transition, secondary, and tertiary formations arising principally from the disintegration of the materials of the mountain range. This is evident from a single reflection: if a conical body stood in the midst of a plain, and was equally exposed to a power which wore it away, the portions thus torn from the body would roll down the declivity towards the base of the cone, and would occupy a circle, generally speaking, of the plane at the base equidistant from the body. In the same manner the wasting away of the primitive elevations would deposit the detritus equidistant from the foot of the range.

5. It will be obvious, however, that the conformity of a country, in shape, to the mountain ranges which run through it, will be more or less modified by adventitious circumstances. If one side of the mountain range was originally more precipitous than the other: or if some tremendous collection or current of water lashed or swept one side, and not the other, the shape of the country would be modified; but not so much as to destroy the general conformity in shape. The above remarks will be confirmed by an inspection of accurately drawn maps.

6. Finally: Some formations are entirely owing to the agency of water; as sand banks, bars, shoals, &c., and some entirely owing to the action of fire, as the deposites of lava; the upheaving of volcanic mountains, even in the memory of man. These are adventitious formations, and do not even modify a general theory.]

CHAPTER VI.
FIFTH DAY.

Section I.—Fishes.

Of Fishes in general — The Cetaceous kind — Cartilaginous — Spinous — Crustaceous — and Testaceous. — Animalcules. — Religious Improvement.