302 RELIGIOUS MEWS. 



rays, of the visible properties of things? This 

 appears to be altogether inconceivable. 



Every particle of matter possesses an almost 

 endless train of properties, each acting according 

 to its peculiar and fixed laws. For every atom 

 of the same kind of matter these laws are in- 

 variably and perpetually the same, while for 

 different kinds of matter the difference of these 

 properties is equally constant. This constant 

 and precise resemblance, this variation equally 

 constant and equally regular, suggest irresistibly 

 the conception of some cause, independent of the 

 atoms themselves, by which their similarity and 

 dissimilarity, the agreement and difference of 

 their deportment under the same circumstances, 

 have been determined. Such a view of the con- 

 stitution of matter, as is observed by an eminent 

 writer of our own time, effectually destroys the 

 idea of its eternal and self-existent nature, " by 

 giving to each of its atoms the essential cha- 

 racters, at once, of a manufactured article and a 

 subordinate agent."* 



That such an impression, and the consequent 

 belief in a divine Author of the universe, by whom 

 its laws were ordained and established, does 

 result from the philosophical contemplation of 

 nature, will, we trust, become still more evident 

 by tracing the effect produced upon men's minds 



* Herschel on the Study of Nat, Phil. Art. 28. 



