338 PRESENT-DAY RATIONALISM 



In Other words, there are the same, only " relatively 

 perfect," i.e., imperfect conditions, those, than which he can 

 always conceive far better, wishes for far better, and 

 hopes for far better hereafter. 



The philosopher is thought to have said a clever 

 thing when he remarked on the structure of the eye that 

 had a manufacturer brought it to him, he would be 

 ashamed to show so imperfect an instrument. This may 

 be somewhat of an exaggeration, but the truth underlying 

 it is that nothing is absolutely perfect but everything 

 may be nevertheless " very good," and good enough for 

 this world. 



Imperfect adaptations are the invariable law of this 

 world. Now, many may feel disposed to ask : " Is not all 

 this very derogatory to the Deity, who is a God of love 

 and mercy? " I, at once and unhesitatingly, say " No ! " 

 It is not for man to pronounce what may or may not be 

 derogatory to God, if he believe in His existence. The 

 finite mind cannot estimate the wisdom of the Infinite. 

 It is this unphilosophical way of weighing God's actions 

 in our own mental balance, which has brought so much 

 contempt upon the methods and assertions of the tele- 

 ologists, 



I would maintain that Natural Theology, as a science, 

 must be studied " objectively," that is itiductively and 

 not "subjectively" ; that is arguing deductively on an 

 assumed datum. Theologians must not shirk a full and 

 thoroughly impartial observation of the phenomena of 

 the world. We can only discover His laws by a close 

 examination of His works, their interactions, and their 

 actions upon ourselves, and the universal presence of 

 law — applicable to all cases of what was called design, 

 including the adaptation of man and animals to their 

 sphere of existence, I include under the Laiv of Inideality ; 



