The developments of geology have been arrayed against the Mosaic account of the creation. The facts of natural history have been marshalled to overthrow the doctrine of man's creation in the likeness and image of God. Anatomy and physiology have been employed to destroy belief in the unity of the human race, and to establish for its different branches so many distinct origins. Archæology has been pressed into the service to bring up from caves, or mounds, or catacombs, relics, no matter of what sort, if they could be employed to undermine or to oppose the statements of holy writ. Philology has been tasked to its utmost ability to carry back to an immeasurably distant past the origin of mankind, by attempting to prove that the languages they speak are the slow growth of many tens of thousands of years. The laws of nature have been tortured to give evidence against the providence and even the presence of God in the world. In short, nothing has been passed by that promised in anywise to aid in the overthrow of "the Old Book."

As a result of all this, we perpetually hear it affirmed, in private conversation and public lectures, and see it printed in daily journals and monthly magazines, that the discoveries of science are in collision with the statements of Scripture. Isolated facts, facts imperfectly studied, facts misinterpreted, and facts invested with fictitious significance and importance, are paraded under the imposing name of science, and boldly put forth as conclusive evidences, for the discomfiture of Christians. Every difficulty connected with the Bible, real or imaginary, is loudly proclaimed, often magnified. The doubtful inferences of biased criticism, and the mere theories of speculative philosophy are delivered with assurance as so many established truths. And the attempt is industriously made to create the impression that "the world" is gone after these errors.

The consequences of all this are but too obvious. It has had its effects. As the continual dropping of water will wear away

the stone, so the constant application of such influence does tell, has told, not only on minds less vigorous or less cultivated, but also on those more active and intelligent. It has served to awaken doubts where no misgivings existed before. It has made errors familiar, and their acceptance comparatively easy, where formerly they would have shocked and been repelled. Many have been moved from the simplicity of their early faith in the Scriptures, and now follow their guidance with faltering steps. Many others have been rudely shaken from their once cherished convictions, and live on in a sad mixture of doubts, hopes and fears; their wonted peace has been destroyed, though their faith may not have been altogether overthrown. While not a few, it is to be feared, have been brought to settle down in hopeless scepticism. And this leaven of iniquity is daily extending its pernicious influences.

The present volume has been written to meet this state of things. Encouraged by the reception his late work on a kindred subject, "Science and the Bible," has met with-ten large editions having been called for within three years from its publicationthe author undertook the preparation of this work from the desire and with the hope of furnishing thoughtful and inquiring readers with an antidote to these prevailing errors, of calming down the anxieties of Christian people, and of reassuring those who have been disquieted that the foundation of their faith still standeth strong.

This the writer undertakes to do, not by denying or ignoring the sound deductions of science, for he accepts them, but by the light of established facts and the force of uncontroverted truth. He attempts not to offer any apologies for the Bible, for it does not need them. He appeals for no leniency at the hands of its enemies, for that were vain. He seeks not to shield it from the investigations of science, for that would be equally futile and unwise. He believes that this Book is able to bear all the light that human science can concentrate and make to fall upon it, and

that the stronger that light is the more manifestly will its Divinity shine forth. He therefore bids science God-speed in its noble studies, assured that the Works of God will never be found in conflict with his Word.

It will be noticed, and perhaps made a point for criticism, that the title given to the work is not in harmony with this sentiment, but stands opposed to it and to the drift of the whole volume. This, in a sense, is true. But as The Conflict of Science with Religion has become a current expression for the vital question of the day, it has been judged that this title correctly sets forth the subject to the discussion of which the book is devoted, whilst the sub-title sufficiently indicates on which side of the question the author stands.

The main points of difficulty that have been urged against the Bible, on scientific grounds, are here presented, and discussed in their most recent aspects.

In the preparation of the work the author has all along consulted, on both sides of the questions, the leading authorities, not only in America, but also in England, France and Germany.

The facts connected with the various subjects that come under consideration are, in every case, brought down to the present day. In composing the work it was found impracticable, without a burdensome multiplication of words, to avoid altogether the use of scientific terms. As these may prove in some degree an embarrassment to plain readers, a list of them, with their significations, has been placed at the end of the volume.

Of the need and importance of such a work as the writer has here undertaken he has no doubt whatever; but how successful he has been in accomplishing it he must leave to the decision of his readers.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

CHRIST INSTRUCTING THE PEOPLE..

PAGE

Frontispiece.

VULCAN, PAN, NEPTUNE, CERES, JUPITER, EOLUS, SERAPIS,

THE MAN OF God, startled, PAUSED IN HIS PRAYER.......

118

OUTLINES OF THE SKULLS OF AN ADULT CHIMPANZEE, of a

NATIVE AUSTRALIAN, AND OF AN AVERAGE EUROPEAN.. 276

OUTLINES OF THE ENGIS SKULL..

306