"I suppose that the same laws have prevailed from the beginning of the geologic periods. I think that geology makes that very evident." "If that were not so," said Mr. Hume, "the past history of the globe would be a riddle to us; it would be confusion worse confounded. In regard to those early ages we could not reason from cause to effect, for we should know nothing of the forces and principles then in existence. In geologic studies we judge the past from the present, and if that be not a trustworthy method of reasoning, all the conclusions of geologists are as worthless as dreams. Have you any reason to suppose, from what you have read on this subject, that a curse changed the character of the earth as a dwelling-place for man some six thousand years ago? Is it true, as Milton says, that then 'The sun Had _first_ his precept so to move, so shine, As might affect the earth with cold and heat Scarce tolerable, and from the north call Decrepit winter--from the south to bring Solstitial summer's heat'? Did the Creator then 'Bid his angels turn askance The poles of earth twice ten degrees and more From the sun's axle'? Or was death then first introduced among the brute creation, as Milton fancies?-- 'But Discord first, Daughter of sin, among the irrational Death introduced through fierce antipathy; Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl, And fish with fish; to graze the herb all leaving, Devoured each other.'" "Animals must have died," said Ansel, "for their remains lie imbedded in rock which certainly existed before man lived on the earth." "I wish you would ask Mr. Wilton one question for me." "I am willing to ask him any proper question, and I suppose you would not wish me to ask any other." "I certainly would not. Will you ask him how it was possible for man not to sin and fall if God created the world for a sinful race myriads of ages before man was brought into existence? It would seem that if man had remained obedient he could not have lived pleasantly in a world prepared for sinners, and at the same time, by man's obedience, all the Creator's plans touching this world would have been dislocated and disappointed." "I will ask him, sir," said Ansel, "at the first good opportunity." This good opportunity occurred sooner than Ansel expected, for, before entering upon the proposed lesson the next Lord's Day, Mr. Wilton said to the class: