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FROM GENESIS TO GEOLOGY.
I.GROWTH OF THEOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS.
Among the philosophers of Greece we find, even at an early period, germs of geological truth, and, what is of vast importance, an atmosphere in which such germs could grow.

These germs were transmitted to Roman thought; an atmosphere of tolerance continued; there was nothing which forbade unfettered reasoning regarding either the earth's strata or the remains of former life found in them, and under the Roman Empire a period of fruitful observation seemed sure to begin.
But, as Christianity took control of the world, there came a great change.

The earliest attitude of the Church toward geology and its kindred sciences was indifferent, and even contemptuous.

According to the prevailing belief, the earth was a "fallen world," and was soon to be destroyed.