INFELICITY OF ANIMALS 205 



We can look no way now without meeting the 

 instances of the greatness of the Deity; and will 

 there be fewer testimonies of His perfection in a 

 better world ? If anything is certain, it is that the 

 perfection of God will never be less visible in His 

 works in the future than they are at present. 

 Though the ills of this world are very unequally 

 divided, yet we have the consoling thought that 

 amidst all the calamities and miseries with which 

 w r e are surrounded there may be a bright hope of a 

 better world where all pain is excluded and the 

 souls of all God's innocent creatures are in a state 

 of perpetual peace and happiness. This undoubt- 

 edly is the most consistent view that any system of 

 theology can offer for the sad cosmical derange : 

 ment of creation, and the only system which can 

 compensate for the suffering of the innocent and 

 give to the Creator the attributes of justice and 

 mercy. 



I wish to plainly express my convictions on this 

 subject. I believe, with the great teacher, St. Paul, 

 that " salvation is made perfect through suffering." 

 God's communicative goodness is always the same, 

 and as His benevolence is eternal, He will continue 

 to impart His blessings beyond the fleeting period 



