224 RAMBLES AND REVERIES. 



revelations presented in his wondrous instrument, 

 and there are appearances about whose meaning 

 all but the tyro are uncertain. The senses need 

 education, they need constant supervision, and 

 their impressions have frequently to be corrected. 



But whatever definition of science may be adopted, 

 it must be admitted by all that Nature cannot be 

 perfectly understood until all her relations are 

 studied, of which the causal relation is one. This 

 must be considered or our science is defective. An 

 efficient Cause of the beginning and continuance 

 of the universe is asked for, and there can never 

 be mental satisfaction or repose till this is found. 



We are met with another objection in under- 

 taking this inquiry, and one, as we think, quite as 

 unreasonable as that which we have been combating, 

 notwithstanding that it is urged sometimes by those 

 who are as deeply impressed with the importance 

 of the inquiry as we ourselves. It is said that the 

 question is a theological one, and therefore does not 

 belong to the domain of scientific thought. But 

 it is not exclusively theological. Causality we 

 have shown is a relation of positive existences, 

 it has to do with matter, as well as with life, mind, 

 spirit. It is not purely a problem of metaphysics, 

 still less of theology. If the logical necessities 

 of the case compel us to a belief in God, that does 

 not necessarily imply that the whole subject is a 

 theological one. The fact is, this is a mere device 

 to shelve the question, and mainly on anti-theo- 

 logical grounds. This makes it regrettable that 

 Christian scientists should so easily admit that all 



