PRAYER. 179 



The mind of an ordinary man is in so imperfect a 

 condition that it requires a creed : that is to say, a 

 theory concerning the unknown and the unknowable 

 in which it may place its deluded faith and he at rest. 

 But whatever the creed may be, it should be one 

 which is on a level with the intellect, and wbich inquiry 

 will strengthen, not destroy. 



As for minds of the highest order, they must ever 

 remain in suspension of judgment and in doubt. Not 

 only do they reject the absurd traditions of the Jews, 

 but also the most ingenious attempts which have been 

 made to explain, on rational and moral grounds, the 

 origin and purpose of the universe. Intense and long- 

 continued labour reveals to them this alone : that there 

 are regions of thought so subtle and so sublime that 

 the human mind is unable therein to expand its wings, 

 to exercise its strength. But there is a wide specula- 

 tive field in which man is permitted to toil with the 

 hope of rich reward, in which observation and experi- 

 ence can supply materials to his imagination and his 

 reason. In this field two great discoveries have been 

 already made. First, that there is a unity of plan in 

 nature ; that the universe resembles a body in which all 

 the limbs and organs are connected with one another : 

 and secondly, that all phenomena, physical and moral, 

 are subject to laws as invariable as those which regulate 

 the rising and setting of the sun. It is in reality as 

 foolish to pray for rain or a fair wind as it would be 

 to pray that the sun should set in the middle of the 

 day. It is as foolish to pray for the healing of a 

 disease or for daily bread as it is to pray for rain or a 

 fair wind. It is as foolish to pray for a pure heart or 

 for mental repose as it is to pray for help in sickness 

 or misfortune. All the events which occur upon the 



