IN MODERN SCIENCE. 



31 



geological history is merely a part of one great 

 cycle of an endless series, and of which an in- 

 finite number have already passed away. It is 

 evident that this infinite succession of cycles is 

 quite as incomprehensible as any other infinite 

 succession of things or events. But, waiving 

 this objection, we have the alternative either 

 that all the successive cycles are exactly alike — 

 which could not be, in accordance with evolu- 

 tion, nor with the analogy of other natural 

 cycles— or there must have been a progression 

 in the successive cycles. But this last supposi- 

 tion would involve an uncaused beginning some- 

 where, and this of such a character as to deter- 

 mine all the successive cycles and their progress ; 

 which would again be contrary to the hypo- 

 thesis of self-existence. It is useless, however, 

 to follow such questions farther, since it is evi- 

 dent that this nypothesis accounts for nothing 

 and would involve us in absolute confusion. 



Let us turn now to Paul's statement. This 

 has the merit, in the first place, of expressing a 

 known fact — namely, that men do infer power 

 and divinity from nature. But is this a mere 

 supersti».ion, or have they reason for it? If 

 the universe be considered as a vast machine 

 exceeding all our powers of calculation in its 



