Harris, John. The Pre-Adamite Earth: contributions to Theological Science. Boston: Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, 1850. Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged. [12557]
Faded and worn blindstamped cloth, backstrip chipped with loss, amateur repair to a few spots of the backstrip with pH neutral paste (we are said amateurs), 8 x 5 inches. Lacks the first front free end paper (blank) and begins with a page of testimonials for the book. 300 relatively clean pp., publisher's adverts, infrequent foxing. Fair. Hardcover.
No. 719 in McIver, Anti-Evolution: An Annotated Bibliography. "Gap Theory creationism. 'My firm persuasion is that the first verse of Genesis was designed, by the divine Spirit, to announce the absolute origination of the material universe by the Almighty Creator; and that it is so understood in the other parts of holy writ; that, passing by an indefinite interval, the second verse describes the state of our planet immediately prior to the Adamic creation, and that the third verse begins the account of the six days' work.' Millhauser says that Harris criticized Chambers' Vestiges for scientific errors, but felt its first fault was theological. 'After the primary act, according to [Chambers'] view, the Creator might have ceased to be' - as far as the created universe was concerned. Urges instead a God who intervenes directly and repeatedly in the affairs of the world and of man. Does not repudiate science or geology; simply sees no conflict."
John Harris, D.D. (1804-1856), b. Ugborough, Devonshire, England; d. London, England. He was the principal of New College, London. A child prodigy, his habit of study earned him the title "Little Parson Harris," and when he began to preach in his teenage years he was styled, "The Boy Preacher." M'Clintock & Strong deem him "an eminent Independent minister and scholar."
He served as pastor of Independent or Congregational churches, and his writings, both devotional and scholarly, were met with acclaim within his small circle in England, and found a much wider audience in the United States. He became president of Lady Huntington's Theological College, and when New College was formed in London he accepted the role of their president as well as lecturer in the school.
"As a theologian he sought to infuse a more genial and humane spirit into the dry dogmas of theology, and to urge Christians to reduce their belief to practice. Some of his works display profound and patient thought in metaphysical theology." - DNB.
