308 EVOLUTION AND DOGMA. 



called accidental, but this is not strictly correct, for 

 the shape of each depends on a long sequence of 

 events, all obeying natural laws, on the nature of the 

 rock, on the lines of stratification or cleavage, on the 

 form of the mountain, which depends upon its up- 

 heaval and subsequent denudation, and lastly on the 

 storm and earthquake which threw down the frag- 

 ments. But in regard to the use to which the frag- 

 ments may be put, their shape may strictly be said 

 to be accidental. And here we are led to face a 

 great difficulty, in alluding to which I am aware that 

 I am traveling beyond my proper province. 



"An omniscient Creator must have foreseen every 

 consequence which results from the laws imposed by 

 Him ; but can it be reasonably maintained that the 

 Creator intentionally ordered, if we use the words in 

 any ordinary sense, that certain fragments of rock 

 should assume certain shapes so that the builder 

 might erect his edifice?" 1 



The difficulty here raised is one of frequent oc- 

 currence in the writings of modern scientists. It re- 

 poses entirely on the crude and erroneous notions 

 which they entertain respecting the nature and attri- 

 butes of the Deity, and has its origin in that low and 

 restricted Anthropomorphism, against which they are 

 wont to inveigh so strongly, but into which they are 

 continually lapsing, notwithstanding all their assever- 

 ations and protestations to the contrary. The objec- 

 tion, although urged in the name of natural and 

 physical science, is in reality metaphysical in char- 

 acter and should be so treated. Those who urge 



141 Animals and Plants under Domestication," vol. II, p. 432. 



