5th. Others, when the new theory is mentioned, cry Atheist, Deist, blasphemy! as if its advocates proposed to make a new world, and support it without the intervention of Divine Providence: such opponents scarcely deserve an answer. It is believed by all, that the earth, the sun, the moon and stars, are the work of an Almighty power. Whether solid globes or hollow spheres, they equally owe their existence to the great first cause, that spoke matter into existence, that arranged it in whatever form and order infinite wisdom dictated; and that still supports and governs the whole by universal and unvarying laws. But it is as well known, that the Almighty Disposer, interposes no miracles for the accomplishment of his designs, but makes use of means that are uniform in their application, to effect the intended purpose; hence Geologists, Philosophers, and Astronomers, attempt to account for the existence of all matter, and for the formation of planets, according to what is believed to be the established laws of matter. In so doing, we do not disparage the wisdom of the Creator, nor controvert the truth of that divine record, which Providence, in his goodness, has given us for our rule of life. True it is, the sacred scriptures give us very little information relative to the structure and formation of the earth and the other planets. They were not intended to teach mankind Geology, Geography, or Astronomy; yet where assertions are clearly and distinctly made respecting these things, we have reason to believe them literally correct: as for instance, when the Psalmist informs us, that God hung the earth upon nothing; that He balanced it in empty space, we are to look for corresponding facts; though it was at variance with the opinion of the world at that time, modern astronomy now teaches that such is the fact. In like manner, when we meet with assertions, such as that "the fountains of the great deep were broken up," (והארץ היתה תהו ובהו, chapter 1, verse 2,[44]) we must acknowledge their correctness; and I think it will be admitted, that they are at least as much in favour of this new theory as the old.