254 Contemporary Evolution. 



the modern phases of political, scientific, and philosophic 

 evolution are, if the views here put forward are just and 

 true, surely preparing the way at a future period ; to which 

 Christians may look forward with joy and hope, but with- 

 out a shadow of impatience, being abundantly thankful 

 if the providence of God graciously grants them the 

 opportunity of helping forward in their own day, in how- 

 ever insignificant a degree, that great scheme, which, as 

 all theists are rationally compelled to allow, is the one 

 supreme end of the whole evolutionary process, so far as 

 the great Author of nature has revealed His purposes to 

 our eyes, not merely by supernatural revelation, but also 

 by that great natural revelation which the universe, as 

 manifested in mind as well as in matter, displays to the 

 eyes of every one who duly ponders without prejudice 

 over the lessons it conveys. 



