XVII. 

 DESIGN IN NATUEE. 



Does nature furnish satisfactory evidence of de- 

 sign, and, therefore, of the existence of an intelligent 

 Creator? 



Nature seems to be a vast machine with infinitely 

 complicated parts — with springs, and levers, and 

 wheels within wheels, all nicely adjusted and lubri- 

 cated, and seemingly capable of perpetual motion. 



We know not when its operations. began, nor can 

 we tell when they will end. Through the long ages 

 of the past it has been ceaselessly at work producing 

 a series of results varying much in their nature. As 

 the ages have passed slowly by her spindles have 

 drawn out finer threads and her looms have woven 

 more wonderful fabrics. 



The stream of creation has flowed upward. Begin- 

 ning in matter, it ended in mind. Matter and force, 

 vegetable life, animal life, animal instincts, and mind 

 constitute a series of steps upward that cannot be 

 explained in terms of matter, motion and force. 



This upward movement in creation, culminating in 

 mind, which persistently refuses to be identified with 

 all else in creation, gives the broad assurance that the 

 Creator of all things is a God of Intelligence. 



It seems reasonable to believe that the Creator is 

 not of a less exalted nature than the mind of man 

 which he has made. " He who hath made the eye can 



he not see? He who hath made the ear can he not 



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