On the other hand, with regard to the terms “creation,[1]” “created,” “Let there be,” and so forth, I find ample room for the most careful consideration and for detailed study before we can say what is meant.  Even then there remains a feeling of profound mystery.  For at the very beginning of every train of reflection and reasoning on the subject, we are just brought up dead at this wonderful fact, the existence of matter where previously there had been nothing.  The phrase “created out of nothing” is of course a purely conventional one, and, strictly speaking, has no meaning; but we adopt it usefully enough to indicate our ultimate fact—­the appearance of matter where previously there had been nothing.  Nor is the difficulty really surmounted by alleging such a mere phrase as “matter is eternal,” for we have just as little mental conception of self-existent, always—­and without beginning—­existent matter, as we have of “creation out of nothing.”

[Footnote 1:  The entire silence of commentators regarding the doubtful meaning of “creation” is so surprising, that I have had the greatest difficulty in persuading myself that the explanation I propose is new.  Yet certainly I have never come across it anywhere.]

The human mind has always a difficulty when it is brought face to face with something that is beyond the scope not only of its own practical, but, even of its theoretical or potential ability.

The “creation,” therefore, of matter by a Divine Power is matter of faith, as I endeavoured to set forth in the earlier pages of this little work; but it is reasonable faith, because it can be supported by sound reasoning from analogy and strong probability.

All our attention, then, I submit, should be directed to understanding what is “creation” in the sacred narrative.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE GENESIS NARRATIVE CONSIDERED GENERALLY.

I.—­THE FIRST PART OF THE NARRATIVE.

Sec. 1. Objections to the Received Interpretations.

Taking the narrative as it stands, we find it to consist of two parts.  First, a general statement, of which no division of time is predicated, and which is unaccompanied by any detail.  Second, there is an account seriatim of certain operations which are stated to have been severally performed one on each of six days.

As regards the first portion, we have no definite knowledge of scientific truth with which to compare the narrative.  It is obviously necessary for some Divine teacher to tell us authoritatively that God originated and caused the material earth, and the systems of suns and stars which men on the earth’s surface are able to discern in the “heavens.”