112 PRESENT-DAY RATIONALISM 



If men were perfect, then, their actions due to their 

 moral character would become a natural law. 



Now, the Laws of Nature have always struck theolo- 

 gical thinkers as being, per se, a witness to Mind. Thus, 

 if it be true that the universe originated out of a homo- 

 geneous cosmic vapour, it is inconceivable (judging by our 

 own minds, and we know of no others for comparison) 

 how the laws, as of gravity, heat, light, electricity and of 

 evolution itself, could have origi7iated, except from an 

 Omnipotent Mind or Will. 



The whole universe is subject to laws ; as Dr. Whewell 

 observes : " The whole course of the visible universe is 

 but the collective result of such laws ; its movements are 

 only the aggregate of their working. . . . The number 

 and variety of the laws which we find established in the 

 universe is so great, that it would be idle to endeavour to 

 enumerate them. In their operation they are combined 

 and intermixed in incalculable and endless complexity, 

 influencing and modifying each other's effects in every 

 direction. . . . Yet, in so far as we consider the bearing 

 of one part upon another, we receive an impression of 

 adaptation, of mutual fitness, of conspiring means, of 

 preparation and completion, of purpose and provision. 

 This impression is suggested by the contemplation of 

 every part of Nature." ^ 



All this will be equally true whether Evolution of 

 Animals and Plants or the instantaneous creation by a 

 Fiat were the method. The innumerable adaptations 

 and correlations are precisely the same. And it is the 

 wonderfully complete adjustments between the organic 

 and inorganic kingdoms, wrought out as we now know, 

 in large measure by the self-adapting powers of proto- 



■Pp. 7. 12. 



