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Education
time would be required for the evolution of the earth from chaos? In
order to account for His works, must we do violence to His word?
It is true that remains found in the earth testify to the existence of
men, animals, and plants much larger than any now known. These are
regarded as proving the existence of vegetable and animal life prior
to the time of the Mosaic record. But concerning these things Bible
history furnishes ample explanation. Before the Flood the development
of vegetable and animal life was immeasurably superior to that which
has since been known. At the Flood the surface of the earth was broken
up, marked changes took place, and in the re-formation of the earth’s
crust were preserved many evidences of the life previously existing.
The vast forests buried in the earth at the time of the Flood, and since
changed to coal, form the extensive coal fields, and yield the supplies
of oil that minister to our comfort and convenience today. These things,
as they are brought to light, are so many witnesses mutely testifying
to the truth of the word of God.
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Akin to the theory concerning the evolution of the earth is
that which attributes to an ascending line of germs, mollusks, and
quadrupeds the evolution of man, the crowning glory of the creation.
When consideration is given to man’s opportunities for research;
how brief his life; how limited his sphere of action; how restricted
his vision; how frequent and how great the errors in his conclusions,
especially as concerns the events thought to antedate Bible history;
how often the supposed deductions of science are revised or cast aside;
with what readiness the assumed period of the earth’s development is
from time to time increased or diminished by millions of years; and
how the theories advanced by different scientists conflict with one
another,—considering all this, shall we, for the privilege of tracing our
descent from germs and mollusks and apes, consent to cast away that
statement of Holy Writ, so grand in its simplicity, “God created man in
His own image, in the image of God created He him”?
Genesis 1:27
.
Shall we reject that genealogical record,—prouder than any treasured
in the courts of kings,—“which was the son of Adam, which was the
son of God”?
Luke 3:38
.
Rightly understood, both the revelations of science and the expe-
riences of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture to the
constant working of God in nature.