58 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



get a proof of contrivance, and of a contriving 

 mind, having been employed about it. In the 

 form and obvious relations of its parts, we see 

 enough to convince us of this. If we pull the 

 works in pieces, for the purpose of a closer exam- 

 ination, we are still more fully convinced. But, 

 when we see the watch going, we see proof of 

 another point, viz. that there is a power some- 

 where, and somehow or other applied to it : a 

 power in action; — that there is more in the sub- 

 ject than the mere wheels of the machine ; — that 

 there is a secret spring, or a gravitating plummet ; 



— in a word, that there is force, and energy, as 

 well as mechanism. 



So, then, the watch in motion establishes to the 

 observer two conclusions: One, — that thought, 

 contrivance, and design, have been employed in 

 the forming, proportioning, and arranging of its 

 parts ; and that whoever or whatever he be, or 

 were, such a contriver there is, or was : The other, 



— that force or power, distinct from mechanism, 

 is, at this present time, acting upon it. If I saw 

 a hand-mill even at rest, I should see contrivance : 

 byt if I saw it grinding, I should be assured that 

 a-hand was at the windlass, though in another 

 room. It is the same in nature. In the works of 

 nature we trace mechanism : and this alone proves 

 contrivance : but living, active, moving, produc- 

 tive nature, proves also the exertion of a power at 

 the centre ; for, wherever the power resides may 

 be denominated the centre. 



