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earth when they were created。〃 Genesis 2：4。 But this does not convey the
idea that the days of creation were other than literal days。 Each day was
called a generation； because that in it God generated； or produced； some new
portion of His work。
Geologists claim to find evidence from the earth itself that it is very much
older than the Mosaic record teaches。 Bones of men and animals； as well as
instruments of warfare； petrified trees； etcetera； much larger than any that
now exist； or that have existed for thousands of years； have been
discovered； and from this it is inferred that the earth was populated long
before the time brought to view in the record of creation； and by a race of
beings vastly superior in size to any men now living。 Such reasoning has led
many professed Bible believers to adopt the position that the days of
creation were vast； indefinite periods。
But apart from Bible history； geology can prove nothing。 Those who reason so
confidently upon its discoveries have no adequate conception of the size of
men； animals； and trees before the Flood； or of the great changes which then
took place。 Relics found in the earth do give evidence of conditions
differing in many respects from the present； but the time when these
conditions existed can be learned only from the Inspired Record。 In the
history of the Flood； inspiration has explained that which geology alone
could never fathom。 In the days of Noah； men； animals； and trees； many times
larger than now exist； were buried； and thus preserved as an evidence to
later generations that the antediluvians perished by a flood。 God designed
that the discovery of these things should establish faith in inspired
history； but men； with their vain reasoning； fall into the same error as did
the people before the Floodthe things which God gave them as a benefit；
they turn into a curse by making a wrong use of them。
113
It is one of Satan's devices to lead the people to accept the fables of
infidelity； for he can thus obscure the law of God； in itself very plain；
and embolden men to rebel against the divine government。 His efforts are
especially directed against the fourth commandment； because it so clearly
points to the living God； the Maker of the heavens and the earth。
There is a constant effort made to explain the work of creation as the
result of natural causes； and human reasoning is accepted even by professed
Christians； in opposition to plain Scripture facts。 There are many who
oppose the investigation of the prophecies； especially those of Daniel and
the Revelation； declaring them to be so obscure that we cannot understand
them； yet these very persons eagerly receive the suppositions of geologists；
in contradiction of the Mosaic record。 But if that which God has revealed is
so difficult to understand； how inconsistent it is to accept mere
suppositions in regard to that which He has not revealed！
〃The secret things belong unto the Lord our God： but those things which are
revealed belong unto us and to our children forever。〃 Deuteronomy 29：29。
Just how God accomplished the work of creation He has never revealed to men；
human science cannot search out the secrets of the Most High。 His creative
power is as incomprehensible as His existence。
God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in both
science and art； but when professedly scientific men treat upon these
subjects from a merely human point of view； they will assuredly come to
wrong conclusions。 It may be innocent to speculate beyond what God's word
has revealed； if our theories do not contradict facts found in the
Scriptures； but those who leave the word of God； and seek to account for His
created works upon scientific principles； are drifting without chart or
compass upon an unknown ocean。 The greatest minds； if not guided by the word
of God in their research； become bewildered in their attempts to trace the
relations of science and revelation。 Because the Creator and His works are
so far beyond their comprehension that they are unable to explain them by
natural laws； they regard Bible history as unreliable。 Those who doubt the
reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments； will be led to go
a step further； and doubt the existence of God； and then； having lost their
anchor； they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity。
114
These persons have lost the simplicity of faith。 There should be a settled
belief in the divine authority of God's Holy Word。 The Bible is not to be
tested by men's ideas of science。 Human knowledge is an unreliable guide。
Skeptics who read the Bible for the sake of caviling； may； through an
imperfect comprehension of either science or revelation； claim to find
contradictions between them； but rightly understood； they are in perfect
harmony。 Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God； and a correct
theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled
with his statements。 All truth； whether in nature or in revelation； is
consistent with itself in all its manifestations。
In the word of God many queries are raised that the most profound scholars
can never answer。 Attention is called to these subjects to show us how much
there is； even among the common things of everyday life； that finite minds；
with all their boasted wisdom； can never fully understand。
Yet men of science think that they can comprehend the wisdom of God； that
which He has done or can do。 The idea largely prevails that He is restricted
by His own laws。 Men either deny or ignore His existence； or think to
explain everything； even the operation of His Spirit upon the human heart；
and they no longer reverence His name or fear His power。 They do not believe
in the supernatural； not understanding God's laws or His infinite power to
work His will through them。 As commonly used； the term 〃laws of nature〃
comprises what men have been able to discover with regard to the laws that
govern the physical world； but how limited is their knowledge； and how vast
the field in which the Creator can work in harmony with His own laws and yet
wholly beyond the comprehension of finite beings！
Many teach that matter possesses vital powerthat certain properties are
imparted to matter； and it is then left to act through its own inherent
energy； and that the operations of nature are conducted in harmony with
fixed laws； with which God Himself cannot interfere。 This is false science；
and is not sustained by the word of God。 Nature is the servant of her
Creator。 God does not annul His laws or work contrary to them； but He is
continually using them as His instruments。 Nature testifies of an
intelligence； a presence； an active energy； that works in and through her
laws。 There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son。
Christ says； 〃My Father worketh hitherto； and I work。〃 John 5：17。
115
The Levites； in their hymn recorded by Nehemiah； sang； 〃Thou； even Thou； art
Lord alone； Thou hast made heaven； the heaven of heavens； wit