160 THE CREATION OF MATTER 



has been according to order. If we contemplate the 

 changings, workings, advancings, if with the most 

 enlarged imagining we survey evolving elements in 

 their grand march forward, if we call up before our 

 mind the perfection of order in their motions and actings, 

 from their circumference to their core, from ancient ages 

 to the time now present, are we not compelled to admit 

 that they shine with a light infinitely dazzling, are we 

 not overpowered with awe as in the presence of a mind 

 of all-transcending power? 



Evolutionists say, that were their doctrine false, were 

 the phenomena on which they rely for its proof nothing 

 better than lying signs, all the interest of nature studies 

 would be dissipated. Geologists say, that if the strata, 

 which they find in the crust of the earth, do not deliver 

 a true message as to their formation, if, notwithstanding 

 phenomena whose natural meaning is so different, they 

 were created and laid down at the same moment, all 

 the fascination of geology would disappear. With 

 immeasurably greater justice and force may we say, 

 that, if animated forms produced by fitting and patient 

 advances through millenniums of years be not the work 

 of mind, if the signs of its operation in them be but 

 lying wonders, if, notwithstanding their multitude and 

 force and brilliancy, mind had no part in their pro- 

 duction, then all the interest and fascination of evolution 

 itself, and of the sciences illustrated in it, are dissipated 

 and disappear. For surely the interest of every science 

 is to the human mind an intellectual interest. Their 

 fascination lies in the marvellous order they reveal. 

 Their enchantment proceeds from wondrous laws, mar- 

 vellous arrangements, from the signs of mind with 

 which nature is so radiant. And if these are only a 

 deceit and a snare, if the most wonderful and striking 



