NATURAL THEOLOGY. 205 



The whole physiology of animal life abounds in 

 such instances (especially the specific secretions of special 

 organs] fitted to be thus used. But what I here seek to 

 press is the storing up of a few the most instant and 

 certain in conclusion. The various ills and turmoils of 

 life, as well as the vagaries of human thought, require 

 that the convictions so obtained should be often and 

 easily renewed. No form of religion but must gain by 

 that natural theology which can be brought home to 

 the acts and duties of daily life. Laborious treatises, 

 if read, are speedily forgotten. "We want instances 

 which no argument can disturb or gainsay ; and a few 

 such become the interpreters of a multitude of others 

 more obscure to our limited view. 



In the foregoing pages I have treated of natural 

 theology chiefly as regards the existence and indivi- 

 duality of a Supreme Being, the designer and potentially 

 the author of the works of creation we see around us. 

 Of the moral attributes of the Deity, as they have been 

 somewhat presumptuously called, I do not speak here, 

 thinking on various accounts that this topic, when ven- 

 tured upon at all, comes better apart from and in 

 sequel to the other. One remark only I would make, 

 having relation to both, viz., that the argument for 

 design from organic structure is in nowise vitiated by 

 defects in such structures arising from accident or 

 natural decay. These must be held as parts of a 

 larger scheme, which our imperfect conception of 

 the intents and methods of creation prevents us 

 from approaching even by the boldest natural hypo- 

 thesis. 



