logian, and the firm believer in the Divinity of the Scriptures, to pursue? Shall he proceed after the manner of the Inquisition in its dealings with Galileo, pronounce such writers and enquirers guilty of blasphemy or infidelity, and demand that they retract, under the penalty of excommunication? or shall he do as was done in too many cases by the opponents of the first geologists,—accuse them of infidelity and opposition to the inspired Word of God, because they ventured to adduce the facts of science in regard to the antiquity of the globe? No! we conceive that such a course would be neither wise, just, nor Christian. It would not be just or Christian, because it would not be doing to our neighbor as we should like to have him do to us; and it would probably be a violation of the commandment, "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Neither would it be a wise course, or an effectual one. Facts, as often remarked, are "stubborn things." Truth, whether spiritual or scientific, is mighty, and will in the end prevail There would be danger of being found fighting against certain truth, in attempting to defend what, after all, may be considered as only one interpretation of truth. And when, in the end, the real facts of the case become established in the minds of men, the obloquy of opposition to them is apt to fall on the defenders of Revelation, and thence, though unjustly, on the cause which they espouse. Thus, too often, has the cause of Revealed Religion been injured by vindicators who were more zealous than wise.
Nol! there is no need of fear or anxiety; Divine Truth will protect itself: it is defended by the shield of the Almighty, it rests immovably on the Rock of
