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our children that much of our logic is mere jugglery, and what some call scientific discussion only leger-de-main-a skilful sleight of hand. To the proposal of such an hypothesis as a point for investigation, to its thorough consideration as a matter placed under review, or to its logical exposition as a thing to be candidly weighed, I do not object. But when it is assumed to be true, and put forth for acceptance with so slight a foundation for its support, I am constrained to demur, and to regard its presentation in such a light as wholly unsuited to grace a Student's Manual of Geology.

But this Article, already too long, must be brought to a close. Though there be other points as much open to criticism as those noticed, they must be waived. Accordingly, taking up the order of Sir Charles, who from the most recent pages of the book of nature proceeds to the earlier, I may now advance from the "finis" to the "title-page." Opposite to this stands the "frontispiece," presumed to be the crowning part of the work, and intended, as I suppose, to give in miniature the grand features of the ages. It has as characteristic of the Palaeozoic times a Trilobite, which, on the whole, does very well; of the Secondary, an Ammonite, which, though evincing progress in inferior and class characters, fails to show the distinctive advance thus far made; while the Tertiary is represented by a Nummulite-a form the position of which in the scale of organization, though still in dispute, is universally admitted to be low; there thus being, according to the scheme adopted, an actual regression as we go up the geologic ladder. Verily, this is "progress backward," in one view the proper title of Sir Charles's work. While these three forms respectively belong to the eras which they are intended to signalize, the Ammonite is certainly not the most significant type of the Mesozoic. So the Nummulite, a nondescript form with which palaeontologists are still unagreed what to do, is anything but a good representative of the third grand step in the onward aeonian movement, which witnessed the introduction of Mammals, at the head of which stands Man, the crowning work of creation. It is almost as if one should

characterize the Augustan period of Roman literature by means of the most illiterate and least known individual of the time. Surely, if we take the frontispiece as a specimen and evidence, we are virtually compelled to infer that the method adopted by the author has vitiated his taste, blunted his finer powers of intuition, and, while certain lower faculties have been sharpened, left him incapable either of appreciating the grand harmonies of the universe, or of duly unfolding and representing the majestic strides taken during the geologic ages.

And yet to judge a man with "final judgment" in this way, or by a single example, is not quite fair; and I would not do it. The impression, while it is certainly made by the book, is still partial; relating not to the whole man, but to particular points which I hope to see amended. Even Homer, as the report is handed down by the prince of Roman critics, was liable sometimes to doze. Possibly, this frontispiece, with some portions of the volume, was conceived in one of Sir Charles's dozing moods. Be this, however, as it may, the faults remain and mar the work. Indeed, the usefulness which might be expected from it, in view of much of its matter and of its many excellences, cannot fail to be greatly lessened by the method chosen; since, in its present form, it is not, what every such work ought in a measure to be, a natural and progressive exhibition at once of the primal revelation and of the gradual unfoldings of the divine plan. as witnessed by the geologic record.

A closing explanation is needful, that I may not wrong myself. To write as I have written has caused me pain; for I have been indebted to Sir Charles for many hints, and for not a little instruction, in regard to the structure of the earth's crust. Having principally in view, however, not personal feelings, but the advance of science, as well as its dissemination, and particularly the establishment of sound processes of investigation and wise methods of instruction, I have not known how to deal otherwise than plainly. Upon the excellences of Mr. Lyell's new book I have made few

comments; for they speak for themselves, and will be lauded by every critic. Of parts which I regard as defective or faulty I have written more at large and freely, "not that I love Caesar less, but Rome more." It is mainly in this direction that good, yea, a constant increase of good, is likely to come. Teachers of geology need to see the defects. in existing books and modes of instruction, that they may demand, and so be prepared to find, better ways than they have before known. And then the frank and honest exposure of faults and deficiencies in a work which has many and great excellences may incite and constrain the author, before it is too late, to make improvements which, as tending to the progress and diffusion of wholesome knowledge, and thus to the welfare of the race, will redound, as false praise never can, to his permanent honor and undying glory.

ARTICLE VI.

CHRIST AS A PRACTICAL OBSERVER OF NATURE, PERSONS, AND EVENTS.

BY REV. SELAH MERRILL, SALMON FALLS, N.H.

IN studying the words and discourses of Christ, one cannot but notice that his mind was intensely practical. It is impossible to find in his teachings and conversations a single visionary or dreamy sentiment. Every thought and statement of his is fresh, vigorous, and pointed. There is also in all that he has said, whether in plain instruction, in reproof, or in sympathy, a healthy tone, which commends his sayings to our ideas of every-day life, as well as especially to our minds and hearts. Although a "carpenter" (Mark vi. 3), he was, as we should say, an exceedingly well-informed man on almost all the social and business affairs of the day. His power of observation was very great; and not less was the skill he had in elevating the humblest employment or

the most ignoble object to the position of a moral teacher, and making it utter some beautiful and surprising lesson. The style of his teaching was so marked in a certain direction. that it could be said: "Without a parable spake he not unto them" (Matt. xiii. 34). In him this style of teaching reached its highest development. But, in order to manage it even well, there must be a groundwork of extensive observation and careful study and reflection. One needs not only much and varied information; but his information must be minutely accurate. We will proceed to specify, in general, terms, some of the departments with which Christ seems to have been more particularly familiar. We may mention the details of his own trade; the department of agriculture, with which his knowledge seems to have been as extensive as that of a practical husbandman; he was conversant, to some extent, with shipping and sailors, and very conversant with the fisheries of the Sea of Galilee, with the art of fishing, and with the fishermen themselves; also, with the nature and habits of many domestic and other animals; with the social distinctions of the time, from king to beggar; with the prevailing laws and civil customs, both Jewish and Roman; with many sorts of handicraft, and with many of the details of manufacturing and trade; dress and clothing, household utensils and details in regard to housekeeping, physicians and their duties and the care of the sick, customs which made up the social life of the day, soldiers and their weapons, war, crime, legal proceedings and courts of justice, the human body and the function of many of its parts, the busy life of the great cities, and the splendid architecture of the Temple and other public buildings, even nature in its calms and storms, its mountains and quiet landscapes these, and still other of the practical affairs of the day, Christ had closely observed. It may be added here that we have intentionally omitted any reference to his acquaintance with the history of his own nation or with the Old Testament scriptures; since these topics, including the use he makes of the Old Testament, hardly belong to the limits of the present Article,

and, on account of their great merits, deserve a careful treatment by themselves. It must be borne in mind that the reported words of Christ belong to that period of his life which was covered by his public ministry; they are words of his mature years, when he spoke nothing without a purpose. Hence every hint or allusion is valuable; for, however insignificant any particular allusion may seem to us, it still was based upon something which Christ had observed, and was used by him for some definite and noble purpose. A fine example is found in the words of Christ (John x. 9), "shall go in and out and find pasture." He is speaking of the affairs of the soul; yet no one would be likely to speak in that way but he who had often observed flocks grazing in pastures, or going back and forth from the fold.

The aim of the writer has been to introduce into the text nothing but what the very words of Christ would justify, i.e. not what is said about him, but what he said himself. In two or three instances this rule has been violated, as, for instance, where it is said, "He took a basin," etc. On the other hand, his idea has been to collect every reference to such matters as the title suggests which the words of Christ contain. He hopes the Article is complete in this respect; yet he does not claim that it is. One might say that, taking the idea and object of the writer as just stated, the work of preparing such an Article was merely one of enumeration; but even under that name, the task has been no easy or slight one.

In connection with agriculture and husbandry and the fruits and other productions of the earth, it is surprising how few things escaped the Saviour's notice. He calls attention to the grass with which God had covered the earth, green and inviting for the multitudes which he fed to recline upon (Matt. vi. 30; Mark vi. 39), to the beautiful lilies which adorned the fields (Matt. vi. 28), the thistles which annoyed the husbandmen and cumbered the ground (Matt. vii. 16), the thorn, through whose matted twigs the tender stalks of

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