64 A NEW THEORY OF EVOLUTION. 



independent of its Author ; but for these 

 assumptions there is no warrant in Nature. 



Again it is objected, that to assume that 

 beings were created imperfect is derogatory 

 to the highest conception of an all- wise and 

 omnipotent Creator. 



If this objection were well founded it would 

 follow that man if he is the highest possible 

 specialisation would be the earth's only in- 

 habitant. 



But the objection is based on a confusion of 

 ideas. If a clockmaker purposes to construct 

 a perfect clock to register minutes only, and 

 if he should succeed, is not the clock perfect 

 although it does not register seconds, and 

 has not the clockmaker accomplished his 

 purpose ? 



And so, if the purpose of the First Cause 

 was a world of life that individually should 

 maintain existence for a space, and repro- 

 duce successors, has not the purpose been 

 accomplished ? 



But who knows the purpose of the First 

 Cause ? 



The world, and what it comprises, is the 

 expression of His purpose, and what it is 

 we can hope to know, only when we fully 

 comprehend the manifestation. 



