Our task naturally divides itself into two parts. First, it will be our duty to consider the received theory of Geology, and to examine in detail some of the interesting and wonderful phenomena on which it is founded. This course of investigation, while it is plainly indispensable for the intelligent appreciation of our subject, cannot fail at the same time to unfold many new and striking views of the Power, and the Goodness, and the Providence of God. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; even His eternal Power and Godhead.”[12] In the Second Part we shall consider the Antiquity of the Earth in reference to the History of Genesis. It will be our purpose to show that, as far as the Bible narrative is concerned, an interval of countless ages may have elapsed between the first creation of the Heavens and the Earth and the beginning of the Six Mosaic Days. Furthermore, we shall contend that, without any prejudice to the Sacred History, we may suppose these Days themselves to have been, not days in the ordinary sense of the word, but long and indefinite Periods of Time. If we succeed in establishing these views, it will be obvious to infer that, while the Bible enables us to determine, at least by approximation, the Age of the Human Race, it allows time without limit for the past history of the Earth. [Illustration] PART I. GEOLOGICAL THEORY AND THE EVIDENCE BY WHICH IT IS SUPPORTED. _CHAPTER I._ THEORY OF GEOLOGISTS. _Geology defined--Facts and Theories--Recent progress of Geology--Stratification of Rocks--Aqueous Rocks; of Mechanical Origin--of Chemical Origin--of Organic Origin--Igneous Rocks, Plutonic and Volcanic--Metamorphic Rocks--Summary of the Rocks that compose the Crust of the Earth--Relative order of position--Internal condition of the Globe--Movements of the Earth’s Crust--Subterranean disturbing force--Uplifting and bending of Strata--Denudation and its Causes--Fossil Remains--Their Value in Geological Theory._