38 THE PRAISE OF GOD. 



all-wise is a revealed truth ; and whether the organi- 

 zation before us seem excellent or imperfect, it matters 

 not ; — we know it is perfect and good, being the work 

 of an all- wise God."* 



To this last sentiment I cordially subscribe ; but 

 I am not sure whether the former assertions are not 

 a little too sweeping ; or perhaps somewhat too incau- 

 tiously expressed. It is consummate folly and vanity, 

 indeed, to assume that we have accounted for all facts 

 in nature, and for the reasons of them ; but not (as I 

 think) reverently and humbly to seeh after the reasons 

 of those phenomena which at present are recondite. 

 Doubtless, in the present limited and lapsed condition 

 of our faculties, at least, there will ever remain pro- 

 fundities in the physical creation, unfathomable by 

 any sounding-line we can cast into them; but the 

 conviction of this truth needs not prevent our penetrat- 

 ing as deep as we may, and recording those observa- 

 tions, which, if carefully made, will not fail to reward 

 us with increased knowledge of His works and ways, 

 " Whose way is in the sea, and his path in the deep 

 waters, and whose footsteps are not known." There 

 is always something to learn in studying the works 

 of God, as there must always remain an infinite 

 unknown. 



And is the ascription of praise to God for what 

 we dimly discover of excellence in His handiwork, — 

 vanity ? Surely not ; for the Holy Scriptures direct 

 us to this work; Jehovah himself vouchsafing to 

 declare, "He that offereth praise giorifieth Me ;" and 



* Forbes' s British Star-fishes, p. 98. 



