124 Natural Theology. 



machinery of this universe is vast. The machinery 

 at work on our globe is complicated beyond measure. 

 It is not strange that, when contemplating a part, 

 there should seem to be want of adjustment ; and that 

 in our self-sufficiency we should impugn the wisdom 

 of the Ordainer, and distrust His goodness. But 

 when we wait, when we have looked long, has our 

 patient, careful search ever detected a mistake ? The 

 more the machinery is seen, the more complete all its 

 parts appear, the better seems its adaptation to the end 

 in view. Of what human works can this be said ? 

 They appear perfect at the first glance, but careful 

 looking reveals imperfection in construction and 

 defect in execution. Who but a Being infinite in 

 all His attributes could so adjust all animal life upon 

 the globe as to secure the continuance of the species 

 He had created ; could so establish their relations, 

 as by the very law of destruction and death to 

 secure the greatest enjoyment ? 



We have necessarily turned aside somewhat for 

 this brief discussion, but we have done so with a 

 purpose ; because when we return again to consider 

 the provision made for man, we wish him to stand 

 entirely disconnected from the lower animals, that 

 we may consider him as an intellectual and moral 

 being. It seemed proper to speak of the destruction 

 of the lower animals in connection with the balance 

 of species which depends so largely upon it. 



We have now seen the adaptation of man and all 

 other sentient beings to the world a series of 

 adaptations implying, certainly in the Creator, the 



