MODIFICATIONS IN THE IDEA OF GOD, ETC. 6^ 



that manifestation of power, proceeds in accordance witli the 

 direction of an Infinite Mind. If we are to give np the miUion- 

 fold evidence of design in consequence of certain a irriori 

 objections of philosophers, we must be prepared to abandon 

 the hiv/s of evidence altogether.* It has taught us, once more,, 

 to recognize the onward and upward sweep of that purpose 

 as a continuous flow of the Divine energy, not as a series 

 of interruptions or interferences from without. If modern 

 science has failed in its theories of God, it has been because 

 it has too severely confined itself to the matej-ial universe. 

 If metaphysics has also failed to give us workable ideas 

 of God, it iias been because it has too closely confined itself 

 to the intellectual side of the question. We need a wider 

 range of thought if we are to attain to satisfactory con- 

 ceptions of the Primal Force beneath phenomena. We must 

 grasp the idea of the loving will of a Personal Being, capable 

 of entering into moral relations with His creatures, and 

 directing all the forces He has called into existence towards 

 the realization of a moral purpose. We must study the work- 

 ing of the reHgious idea among all peoples, and recognize in 

 it an influence which has been implanted by the Creator for 

 beneficent ends, and which, in spite of the manifold 

 perversions to which it has been liable, has not, on the 

 whole, failed to attain those ends. Above all, we must not 

 fail to discern in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ the last 

 step in the Divine evolution of humanity, grafting upon, or 

 bringing out of, the " old Adam " a new and more perfect 

 type of human life, and through the Eternal Spirit energizing 

 for ever among the sons of men to produce in them the con- 

 formity to tlie image of God, which the Eternal Son displayed 

 among us, aiid has now exalted to the right hand of God. 

 When, therefore, I say, " I believe in God," I may venture 

 to expand my creed as follows : — "I believe in a great and 

 living Intelligence and Energy, eternal, all-wise, all-holy,, 

 all-embracing, in Whose never-ceasing action the material 

 is subordinated to the mental, the mental to the moral, the 

 moral to the spiritual, W^ ho in bringing the material universe 

 into being has done so for the welfare of sentient beings, and 



* In my book on the Nicene Creed I have pointed out that Kant has 

 given up the argument from design on such a priori grounds, and I have 

 commented with some severity on what appears to me somewhat like a 

 slovenly treatment of so great a question on the part of the renowned 

 philosopher. 



