I20 VESTIGES OF THE 



other idea must tlien be come to with regard to th<> inoda 

 ill which the Divine Author proceeded in the organic 

 creation. Let us seek in the history of the earth's for- 

 mation for a new suggestion on this point. We have 

 seen powerful evidence that the construction of this 

 globe and its associates, and inferentially that of all the 

 other globes of space, was the result, not of any imme- 

 diate 01- personal exertion on the part of the Deity, 

 but of natural laws, which are expressions of his will. 

 What is to hinder our supposing that the organic ci'ea- 

 tion is also a result of natural laws, which are in like 

 manner an expression of his will % More than this, the 

 fact of the cosmical arrangements being an effect of 

 natural law, is a powerful argument for the organic 

 arrangements being so likewise, for how can we su})pose 

 that the august Being who brought all these countless 

 w^orlds into form by the simple establishment of a natural 

 principle flowing from his mind, was to interfere per- 

 sonally and specially on every occasion when a new shell- 

 fish 01' rej)tile was to be ushered into existence on one, of 

 these worlds ? Surely this idea is too ridiculous to be for 

 a moment entertained. 



It will be objected that the ordinary conceptions of 

 Christian nations on this subject are directly derived 

 from Scripture, or, at least, are in conformity with it. 

 If they were clearly and unequivocally supported by 

 Scripture, it may readily be allowed that there would be 

 a strong objection to the reception of any opposite hypo- 

 thesis. But the fact is, however startling the present 

 announcement of it may Ije, that the first chapter of the 

 Mosaic record is not oidy not in harmony with the 

 ordinary ideas of mankind resjjecting cosmical and 

 organic creation, but is opposed to them, and only in 

 accordance with the views here taken. When we care- 



