posed difficulties brought to light by scientific discovery, are tempted to abandon the carlier portion of the Sacred Volume as not inspired. It is possible that the unbéliever, too, may find something in these pages to soften his prejudices; but his case is not here specially contemplated."

Such then being the purpose of the book, let us look at the argument brought under notice. Believing in the existence of a God (and with those who deny the existence of a God we have at present nothing to do) from what sources may we learn about Him? From two, viz.: from nature-the works of creation, and from the Bible. These two, Creation and the Bible come from God, the source of truth, and therefore cannot be at variance. The teaching of one cannot be contradictory to that of the other. But, say some, the teachings of Science respecting the works of God in nature do contradict the statements of the Bible. Either, therefore, the teachings of Science or the statements of the Bible must be wrong; both cannot be truc. Which then is in error? Is Science wrong? Have the diligent explorers of the secrets of nature correctly noted their facts, observed a sufficient number, and drawn correct conclusions from them? It cannot be doubted-too many have pursued the investigation for anything like collusion' to take place—some of them, too, being men known for their devout reverence of the Book of God. Is then the Bible false? There is no other alternativo; if the one or the other, Science or the Bible, must be wrong, and if Science be unquestionably true, the Bible must be as unquestionably false. What was the consequence of a statement like that? Either the votaries of Science must disbelieve the Bible, or the believers in the Bible must disavow Science. And even so the result has proved. How many names does history present us with of men who have devoted themselves to scientific investigations, and who, because of the supposed opposition of Scripture to their discoveries, have rejected the claims of the Bible to be the revealed will of the God of Nature. And on the other hand how often has the Christian Church ranked herself amongst the opponents of Science, for no other reason than this apparent contradiction between Scripture and Science. In former times, Astronomy, in more modern times, Geology, have been represented as opponents of Scripture. Every one will at once call to mind the case of Galileo, and the persecution he underwent at the hands of the Romish Church for that (we quote from the sentence of the Inquisition recorded against him) “you believe and hold the false doctrine, and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures, namely, that the Sun is the centre of the world, and that it does not move from East to West, and that the earth does move, and is not the centre of the world; also that an opinion can be held and supported, as probable, after it has been declared and finally deemed contrary to the Holy Scripture; and, consequently, that you have incurred all the censures and penalties enjoined and promulgated-in the sa

cred canons, and other gencral and particular constitutions against delinquents of this description." And but for the humiliating abjuration wrung from the aged Astronomer by the tortures of the rack, the full penalties thus pronounced, he would have had to bear. What surer plan could have been adopted to make men infidels? They could not disbelieve the results to which after so much patient and often toilsome investigation they had come. Even Galileo himself, when rising from his knees after reading and signing the solemn abjuration of his opinions muttered "For all this, the earth does move." Could Astronomers come to any other conclusion, if this be the teaching of the Bible, the Bible must be false? And even so has it been in these modern times when the study of Geology has resulted in discoveries that have run athwart opinions as strenuously cherished, and as widely spread as the astronomical opinions of the olden times. To say nothing of other matters that might be mentioned, geology reveals to us the fact of the immense and inconceivable antiquity of the earth,' an antiquity compared with which the 6,000 years of its supposed existence are but as yesterday,' and proves to us the existence of animals and plants previously to the six days' work in the Mosaic account of the Creation. How shall facts like these be met? Alas, how have they been met? 'They were regarded with the like indignant scorn, as the fabrication of ungodly men, enemies of the Sacred Volume, and fearless in their profane inventions. The press teemed with attacks upon such reckless theorists, and crude hypothesis, and hasty guesses, and ignorant assertions which the age should have been ashamed of, were thrust forward to take the place of facts.' But could these attacks and denunciations (the form which religious persecution now-a-days takes) prevent the spread of the truth? No, 'the earth does move,' the inquisition and the retractation notwithstanding. And the tremendous antiquity of the earth, and the existence of animals and plants before the six days' work, are facts, denunciations and charges of atheism notwithstanding. Just take as a specimen of the mode in which these geological discoveries were met, the following, extracted from Popular Geology subversive of Divine Revelation, by the Rev. Hy. Cole,' and quoted in Dr. Pye Smith's 'Geology and Scripture.'

"We defy all the combined ability of infidelity, philosophy, and geology, to prove the beginning' to have been anterior to the 'first day' God here intends. We again sacredly defy all the combined ability of sophistical geologians, to the end of time, to prove either our Scriptural positions false, or their geological positions true.-Suffice it to say that sophisticating geologians have been allured, by the implacable subtleties of the enemy of God and man, to enlist themselves in the service of his infernal policy:? Notice the exquisite refinement of the combination; infidelity, philosophy, and gcology. It is no very difficult matter to fling charges such as these, and the*

effect of them undoubtedly was, for a time, to put Science and Scripture in antagonism to one another. The alternative could not be evaded. Science being true, and Scripture teaching what it was supposed to teach, Scripture must be false. And if a man really wished to prove the Scriptures to be untrue (as we cannot but feel that many men of Science did) we cannot be surprised that they should push this argument to the utmost. In fact it is even now one of the very arguments that we use against the divine authenticity of the Hindoo Shastras. When we had just finished the Archdeacon's Book and the argument was fresh in our minds, we happened to take up by mere accident, the Bengalee translation of Dr. Wilson's exposure of the Hindoo Religion. And the very first argument he brings against the Hindoo System is শাস্ত্রের কথা প্রকৃত বিদ্যার সঙ্গে মিলে না, (The teachings of the Shastras do not agree with true Science). If the argument holds good respecting the Hindoo Shastras, it equally holds good, provided it be substantiated, against the Holy Scriptures. But can it be substantiated? For a complete answer in the negative we must refer our readers to the Archdeacon's book. While frankly admitting that Science may be opposed to our interpretation of the Scriptures, he thoroughly establishes this proposition, that it is not opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures themselves. The history of the past gives us many instances of false interpretations of Scripture being rectified by the discoveries of Science, and of the consequent re-establishment of the Harmony of Science and Scripture. The later history of Science furnishes examples in which Scripture has not only been relieved of false interpretations, but has had new light reflected upon it from the discoveries of Science-and also furnishes examples in which Science has been delivered from the false conclusions of some of its votaries and thereby shown to be in entire agreement with Scripture. We have no hesitation whatever in expressing our belief that every candid reader carefully perusing this small treatise, will acknowledge the force and propriety of the remarks with which the first chapter is concluded.

"With these various examples before us, I think we may boldly say, that to assert that Scripture and Science are opposed to each other is UNPHILOSOPHICAL. With such experience as the past has heaped up for our instruction and warning, is it not in the highest degree contrary to the spirit of true philosophy to sound the alarm at every apparent contradiction between the Word and Works of God? Have not the Scientific, in the steady and sure advance of their admired pursuit, been forced times without number to abandon theories which once appeared plausible and comprehensive, and to yield to the stern requirements of fact and truth? Have anomalics and contrarieties staggered them, and not rather quickened their search for clearer light and a nearer acquaintance with hidden connexions?

And why should not the same waiting and trusting spirit guide us, when the Holy Scriptures are involved; coming too, as they do, with such high sanctions, and carrying the trophies of victory from so many previous conflicts ?

"With the history of past conflicts and past triumphs before us, whatever startling difficulties may yet arise, we shall do well to pause and wait for further light ere we risk our credit in venturing to assert, or even to suspect, that they are enemies, whom we have found to be friends under so many trying circumstances. Let our inductions be sober and well-weighed, and our reverence for the Sacred Volume, as God has given it to us, unshaken ; and no discoveries can move our confidence that Scripture, as the Inspired Word of God, and Science, as the means of setting forth the glory of his works, will always be found to speak the same thing in matters which they touch upon in common.”

We have space merely to notice the fact that in the second chapter our author takes up "the historical character, plenary inspiration, and surpassing importance of the First Eleven Chapters of Genesis," thereby establishing an argument 'of a positive nature and confirmatory of that of the former chapter, from the character of Scripture itself, to show how impossible it is that such a record can in any way contravene the teachings of the phenomena and laws of the material world, which proceeds from the same Almighty Author.

The argument throughout is put in the clearest and briefest possible manner; there is no attempt at fine writing; just enough examples are given to illustrate the argument and to make the book interesting. It is designed, not for scholars, but for that large class, who have not means to procure, or leisure inclination to read large and expensive works on the subject. We believe it will be exceedingly useful to those in the Christian Church whose confidence in their Great Head is not sufficiently strong to prevent their dread of the onward advance of Science, from a fear lest the foundations of their faith should be weakened -to those whose minds may have been disturbed by the reckless assertions of mere smatterers in Science-and to those who rejoice when they see that Book unshaken under every attack, and rising, undimmed in its splendour, from every trial, because they know that the belief of the truths which it contains, is, with God's blessing, the only means of regenerating a fallen world.

To all we would earnestly commend the right noble and truly eloquent words with which the treatise closes-"The conclusion, then, that I would draw in these days of advancing knowledge is this, THAT NO NEW-DISCOVERIES, HOWEVER STARTLING, NEED DISTURB OUR BELIEF IN THE PLENARY INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE, OR DAMP OUR ZEAL IN THE PURSUIT OF SCIENCE.

That difficulties should have existed, and should still occasionally appear is not to be wondered at when we consider the things which are brought into comparison. ** Let us, then hold firm our grasp upon this truth, that the Scriptures are the infallible Word of God, true in every statement they contain; but at the same time remember, that there is no ground whatever for ceasing to pursue Science, in all its branches, with an ardent and fearless mind. God's Word and Works never have contradicted each other, and never will do so. Some would decry the pursuit of Science as endangering Revelation; they tremble for the result, as new discoveries are announced and reason publishes its triumphs. But these are shortsighted and ill-placed apprehensions; nor would such a course remedy the evils feared. The progress of Science is inevitable. As well might we desire to hold back the wheels of time, or attempt to enchain the thoughts of men, as to arrest its course. The progress of Science is indeed the glory of man's intellectual endowments; and to live in ignorance of the history and material laws of the Universe, of which he forms a part, is a libel on that commanding gift with which God has endowed him, rendering him prc-eminent above the rest of His creatures. The progress of Science is the setting forth of the greatness and wisdom of the Creator in His Work; and to desire to check it, or to fear its results, is to betray our narrow prejudices, and to refuse to recognize the hand of GOD in His own world. Let us, therefore, push our investigations to the utmost with untiring energy.

"Let us not shrink, morcover, from stating our difficulties in their Eroadest features, and laying open without hesitation all that appears contradictory. We have nothing to fear. The greatest perplexitics may at any time surround us; but both reason and experience have armed us with arguments which assure us that all will be right. Whatever happens, let our persuasion always be avowed, that Scripture cannot crr. Let us be content rather to remain puzzled, than to abandon, or even question, a truth which stands upon so immovcable a basis. It is the doubts and surmises of those who are looked to us authorities in these matters, which shake men's minds. It is the hazardous assertions of some who occupy the seal of the philosopher-who ought to be models of philosophical prudence, holding even the scales of truth amidst the headstrong and uninformed-which create the confusion. Such a course is UNPIIILOSOPHICAL in the highest degree; and not only so, it is MISCHIEVOUS in every way. It unsettles the mind of the young,-it plays into the unbelieving prepossessions of the infidel, it confirms the sceptic in his disregard of religion. On the other hand, it repcls the timid from the pursuit of Science ; it disunites, instead of harmonizing; it checks the progress of truth; it sets at variance things which in reality agrce.

1. Life of Rama.

2. Life of Alexander the Great.

Secundra Orphan Press, Agra. 1854.

In the English and Urdu Languages.

THESE pamphlets were composed in 1854, by a member of the Civil Serrice, whose pen is not unfamiliar to the readers of this Review. They