38 THE CREATION OF MATTER 



which the lightest blow, which a touch, can break up. 

 The great majority of substances have, however, a firm 

 stability. Amid countless possibilities, amid contin- 

 gencies without number, the condition in which their 

 constituents unite are easily available, and the range 

 of conditions in which they continue united is com- 

 paratively wide, so that they have the stability required 

 for the purposes they serve in the ordered world. At 

 the same time their stability is not too great. This 

 would prevent their being useful as effectively as if it 

 were too feeble. The stabilities are measured. They are 

 adjusted to the place and uses of each substance. 



Matter then, in its very elements, is a field of the most 

 beautiful order. The atoms of each element are the same 

 in all their characteristics and measures. If it be affirmed 

 that matter is eternal, and therefore that it is not an 

 effect and does not require a cause, yet are we entitled 

 to demand an account of the samenesses, and likenesses, 

 and differences, and relationships that reign throughout 

 its borders. They cannot be ascribed to the atoms them- 

 selves. Nothing can act before it exists. If atoms be 

 supposed to be self -existent, they yet could not set their 

 nature in order. They did not take counsel together as 

 to what their various properties and measures of properties 

 should be. No atom understood itself, much less its 

 fellows, and therefore could not set itself in order, or 

 adjust itself to them. They cannot be ascribed to 

 necessity. There can be no eternal necessity, there can 

 be no eternal reason of any kind, why there should be 

 sixty or seventy or any definite number of elements, and 

 why such multitudes of the same element should in 

 so wonderful a manner be distinguished by the same 

 qualities and potencies in common. They cannot be 

 ascribed to chance. They are so extensive and wonder- 



