ATTRIBUTES OF INANIMATE MATTER. 185 



inorganic matter. In truth, a much higher degree of 

 intelligence is demanded than can be reasonably sup- 

 posed to belong to ordinary gases, fluids, and solids. 

 Although a peculiar plant appears in yeast, and an- 

 other in vinegar, and fermentation is alleged to be the 

 origin of these products, there is no evidence of spon- 

 taneous generation in the process, nor proof that the 

 attributes of inanimate matter are capable of produc- 

 ing and supporting organic structures. 



The surface of the earth is broken into mountains 

 and valleys, ridges and ravines: rain falling upon 

 these uneven areas helps to pulverize the rocks as it 

 runs down to the sea in streams large and small ; but 

 movements of glaciers grind mineral substances to 

 powder faster than running water. Now, it seems 

 that glaciers have moved over a large part of our hills 

 and plains; and in the pulverizing process have pre- 

 pared loam as food for our plants. Whether there 

 was any original design in these cosmic operations, or 

 whether the whole is the result of unavoidable cir- 

 cumstances, will be left to speculation. If the barren 

 earth was accidentally prepared for the introduction 

 and sustenance of plants and animals, the fortuitous 

 circumstance was an exceedingly lucky one. It really 

 seems as if the activities that unfolded the earth until 

 its surface was habitable, and afterward introduced 

 life and directed vital energies, were intelligent, pro- 

 gressive, and purposive ; and until the evolutionist is 

 able to show that the inherent forces of the universe 

 are more sapient than those which the forces of inani- 

 mate matter display in their usual manifestations, he 

 will be unable to convert mankind to an implicit be- 

 lief in his novel doctrines. 



On the other hand, the optimist will have to con- 



