476 Science and the Bible. [July,
space,
and in its laws of gravitation, of light, of heat ; that is, in the
very essence or fundamental qualities of existences. We naturally
conclude, therefore, not only that the earth is subordinate to the sun,
and also to the universe, but that it was not created first, any more
than the hand before thebody of which it is a part. The point of the
argument here used, is not in the inferior size of the earth, but its
dependent relations to the system of the universe ; and science could
not, without defying the laws of mind, come to any other conclusion.
From this result flow the important principles:
(1) The fact of progress, in the history of the earth, implies concurrent progress in every other part of the universe.
(2) The general law of progress for the earth, is in analogy with the general law of progress for every other part of the universe.
(3)
The condition of matter, in the earth's beginning, was essentially the
condition in the beginning of other parts of the universe.
These
conclusions make the earth's history a type, in a general way, for
other worlds and the universe. We know that a single animal, as regards
its more fundamental laws of development, is a type for all species of
the animal kingdom : the law for one, is the law for all; so of one
plant, for all plants ; and so, we say, of one world for all worlds.
This holds true, not for details, but only for the general principles
of progress.
The
power of appreciating such conclusions, will depend on the apprehension
of the unity of God's works — their oneness in forces, in laws, in
plan, thought, and end. The earth, although a small sphere in space,
embodies the forces that fill immensity ; and deciphering its readings,
gives the key to a universal history, which it may take an eternity to
unfold.
2. Correspondence between the progress of creation and the law of germ-development — the general before the special. We
have explained this subject (following Professor Guyot's views) in our
first Article, and shown that the correspondence extends not only to
the inorganic earth, but also to the pro-
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