248 Natural Theology. 



affinities, which we considered when treating of the 

 chemical elements all of these have relations to mind 

 alone. If, then, we consider the physical provisions 

 for man, we find the most abundant evidence that 

 his highest physical good was to be secured only 

 through the exercise of his intellect. The coal, and 

 wood, and metals, and marbles, supplement his high- 

 er nature. They make a world fitted for a progres- 

 sive being. They minister, in their natural forms, 

 to the good of all organic beings ; but in their rela- 

 tion to man, they rise into another plane and sup- 

 plement his power, as the hand of man, in its cun- 

 ning, rises above the fin of the fish, or the wing of 

 the bird. 



At no time before in the history of the world 

 was there anything like the proof of the perfect 

 adaptation of the world to the higher nature of man 

 that we have now. When before could he search 

 the earth for treasures as he can now ? He has but 

 just entered into the fullness of this inheritance. 

 When before had he the art of moulding these pro- 

 ducts into such unnumbered forms for his comfort 

 and delight ? He draws and moulds the metals 

 into a thousand forms, and the sands are melted 

 into crystal glass. He takes up a dull ore from the 

 earth, and by the magic power of chemistry throws 

 it back changed to the finest pigments. We admire 

 the multiplied means of enjoyment which civilization 

 now has at its command. We admire that power in 

 man that enables him to compass the earth, and 

 bind its forces, and make them his servants. But 



