To simplify the subject I make the single issue――Is it a period of twenty-four hours, or a period of special character, indefinitely long? The latter theory supposes the word to refer here not so much to _duration_ as to _special character_――the sort of work done and the changes produced during the period contemplated. Turning our attention to this latter theory, we raise three leading inquiries: (1.) Do the laws of language and, specially, does the usage of the word “day” permit it? (2.) Apart from the bearing of geological facts, are there points in the narrative itself which demand or even favor this sense of the word? (3.) What are the geological facts bearing on this question, and what weight may legitimately be accorded to them? (1.) Beyond all question the word “day” is used abundantly, (and therefore admits of being used) to denote a period of special character, with no particular reference to its duration. We have a case in this immediate connection (Gen. 2: 4), where it is used of the whole creative period: “In the _day_ that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.” Under the same usage we have “the _day_ of the Lord” (1 Thess. 5: 2) for the day of judgment; “the _day_ of God,” in the same sense (2 Pet. 3: 12); “the _day_ of salvation” (2 Cor. 6: 2); “day of redemption” (Eph. 4: 30); a “day of darkness and of gloominess; a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Joel 2: 2). “In the day of prosperity, be joyful; but in the day of adversity, consider” (Eccl. 7: 14). “If thou hadst known in this thy _day_ the things,” etc. (Luke 19: 42). So also Job 19: 25, and John 8: 56, etc.