Page:The Judgment Day.pdf/33

 Now it is an important fact, that those immense preparations were made, and the earth was reduced to order before the creation of man. Since that important event, the earth has been comparatively at rest. No great geological transformations have taken place. Dr. Buckland, (Geology vol. 1, page 86.) says: "No conclusion is more fully established, than the important fact of the total absence of any vestiges of the human species throughout the entire series of geological formation." In support of this statement, Dr. B. refers to Lyell's Geology, vol. 1, page 59, where that distinguished and accurate geologist says that this point "is not controverted by any experienced geologist." This fact that the earth was finished and reduced to its present form and order before man was made, is known to be the uniform testimony of geologists. Every apparent exception to this fact, has hitherto been disposed of in some way consistent with the rigid demands of science. We think it just and reasonable, therefore, to infer that the earth was finished before man was made, and was designed for permanent use. We can find no reason for believing that it is destined to be again overturned and destroyed,—or perhaps reorganized. We know of nothing in its present organization that can justify such a belief. There are not any satisfactory geological reasons for believing that the earth has ever been subjected to a general deluge since the creation of man. A very ably written article on this subject may be found in the appendix to Bakewell's Geology, from the pen of Prof. Silliman, of Yale College. The entire article as may be seen on examination, manifests an exceedingly cautious and respectful manner towards that religious sentiment which looks to geology for some confirmation of the commonly received doctrine of a general deluge—a doctrine which has been supposed to rest upon the testimony of scripture. Prof. S. seems unwilling to announce the fact that geology gives no support to this doctrine, lest in doing so he might arm the infidel with a weapon which the theologian has not suffi-