Abstract
Although numbered among the early 19th century Scriptural geologists, Henry Cole was largely ignorant of the facts of geology. But as a feisty Anglican clergyman, he was deeply concerned with defending the Scriptures and orthodox Christian faith. In 1834 Cole strongly opposed the teachings of fellow Anglican REv. Adam Sedgwick, who was then the most honoured geologist at Cambridge University and a leading proponent of Lyellian uniformitarian geology. Cole was convinced that Sedgwick's influential ideas would be ultimately subversive to the Christian faith, not only among university students but also in the wider church. History has confirmed Cole's fears, even if they were not always expressed in the most winsome terms.