Page images
PDF
EPUB

only that it is iron, and has not yet thought of a purpose to which it may be applied. But he knows that it is iron, and that is sufficient. In civilized life, the same metal which the Deity has mercifully provided in larger abundance than any or than all of the rest, maintains, under its varied states and capabilities, a decided pre-eminence in utility. For the conveniencies of common life, for the interchange of commerce, for the extension of science, other metallic and mineral contents of the earth are also of daily and hourly advantage. Scarcely is there one of these substances, for the reduction of which, in countries productive of coal, to its beneficial form or quali ty, that powerful agent is not called to lend its aid. The collocation of mineral substances, and the hardships and dangers attendant on mineral operations, find their explanation and their end among the penal consequences of original transgression.

of

It is not difficult to foresee a remark, which may perhaps, be made with a view to weaken the force, and to avert the bearing, of parts the argument in the present chapter. It may be said that minerals were formed and deposited in the earth at the Creation; and consequently, be

fore there had been the opportunity of transgression on the part of man. Let such an objector receive thanks for a remark powerfully corroborating the argument which it was intended to overthrow. The fact alleged in the remark is apparently true. Kirwan affirms, that ores of the various metals are abundant in mountains which geologists term primeval, as being destitute of organic remains*. He also states, on the authority of Pallas, that coal-beds exist, and without the accompaniment of organic exuviæ, in the highest plains of Cobæat. Independently of such authentic relations, it must be admitted, that the component elements of ores and of coal, whether combined or not into their existing states, were contained in the first formation of the globe. Were they, then, at that period, combined and placed as at present? If the remarker answers in the negative, he acknow ledges that they have been subsequently chang ed into their existing condition: and thus cooperates towards the establishment of the conclusions which their existing condition has fur

[blocks in formation]

nished. If he prefers to reply affirmatively; what are the tendency and the effect of his assertions? Not in any respect to show, that, so far as we may presume to judge, the possession of the metals and of coal was requisite for innocent and favoured beings in a Paradisiacal abode. Not in any respect to lend the support of a possibility to the supposition, that these minerals, if assumed to have been of utility to such beings so stationed, would have been deposited as they now are. What are its tendency and its effect? Precisely those, which for the benefit of our argument we should specially desire. They are to show that the Deity, when placing mankind in a state of innocence upon the globe, devised and carried into execution, in its very structure and composition, provisions and prospective arrangements unadapted to the then existing state of men, but suited to the situation of men in the event of their falling from holiness, and from His favour; and that His Omniscience foresaw such a fall, and made preparations for it. Every token of such provision and prospective arrange ment is, in itself, among the most decisive of

the arguments, and adds powerful energy to every other concurrent train of reasoning, by which Natural Theology is led and enabled to discover that man is in a fallen condition.

CHAP. V.

ON CERTAIN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH
THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH.

it

WHEN, in the discussion of any large topic of enquiry, some leading truths have been established by adequate and direct arguments; frequently happens, that collateral facts and observations which present themselves so harmonize with those truths, that to disregard the indirect and analogical support thus offered would not only be unwise, but would be grossly to fail in doing justice to the subject. On this principle, I proceed to the consideration of some additional phenomena in the material world, which correspond with the conclusions already shown to be attainable by Natural Theology, and strengthen them by that correspondence."

I believe that, on the largest computation, the collective area of the dry land on the globe does not greatly exceed one-third part of the whole superficies. The habitable space is much less

« PreviousContinue »