156 Contemporary Evolution. 



which they have to adduce in favour of natural theology 

 will by many be seen to apply further, and plainly 

 serve as supports to the foundations of Christianity while 

 harmonising with its whole genius and structure. 



Again, physcial science being almost universally dif- 

 fused, will have lost its aspect of novelty, and also 

 " aggressiveness " will be clearly seen to be no proper 

 attribute of science, but only of certain definite philo- 

 sophical systems previously associated with it. 



The laity will not find many amongst their clergy 

 distinguished in physical science; but this result will not 

 be altogether unwelcome to them, because, however proper 

 they may deem it for priests, under peculiar social con- 

 ditions, or now and again through some special vocation, 

 to devote themselves to physical science, yet they must 

 abstractedly consider " Pegasus harnessed to the plough," 

 as a symbol quite inadequate to represent the incongruity 

 between such an employment and the ecclesiastical state. 



are the difficulties in believing that the Old and New Testaments 

 proceed from, or record the acts of, a perfectly wise and good Being, 

 the same and still greater difficulties stand in the way of the belief 

 that a Being of such a character can have been the maker of the 

 universe. He considered Butler's argument as conclusive against 

 the only opponents for whom it was intended. Those who admit an 

 omnipotent as well as perfectly just and benevolent maker and ruler 

 of such a world as this, can say little against Christianity, but what 

 can, with at least equal force, be retorted against themselves " / On 

 this subject consult the Dublin Review for January, 1874, Art. I., 

 " Mr. Mill's Philosophical Position." 



