208 EVOLUTION AX D NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



(14.) The limits of Variation are sucli as to 

 preserve a relative equilibrium, and to pre- 

 vent the destructive agencies from acting 

 in such directions as essentially to derange 

 the existing Order of Nature. Thus : 

 (15.) Evolution fully explains the relative 

 perfection which we see around us upon 

 earth ; whereas if the theory of Special 

 Creation were true, we should expect to 

 find absolute perfection throughout Nature, 

 and indeed could not account for its 

 absence. 



These considerations, among others, have con- 

 vinced the writer that the Law of Evolution is a 

 paramount necessity in attempting to explain the 

 Order of Nature. But the theory of Special 

 Creation is practically untenable. It will not 

 explain a single phenomenon, and is opposed to 

 all the indications of the System of Nature, so 

 far as we can understand them, as well as to any 

 enlightened view of the nature and attributes of 

 the Deity. Moreover, even were Special Crea- 

 tion true, it would be simply incomprehensible 

 to us, and therefore quite incapable of exciting 

 either our wonder or our admiration as rational 

 beings. 



