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of things which are not good in any proper sense of the word, 
as, tor instance, the preying of one set of creatures upon 
another; the ferocity and malignant cruelty of certain animals ; 
the occurrence of earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, &c. ; the 
existence of deserts, inhospitable climes, and such-like. In 
the second place, it is objected that, on the contrary, the whole 
ol Nature, man included, are so perfectly in accordance with 
law and goodness properly conceived, that the Scriptural 
notions of the fall, of man, and the present subjection of 
creation to vanity (i.e., apparent imperfection and purposeless- 
ness), are incredible and untrue. 
Of course these two objections are mutually contradictory 
and might safely be left to settle the matter under dispute 
between themselves, without theological interference. The 
importance of the questions raised has caused, however, the 
adoption of a more active course, with again the usual diversity 
of opinion and method. Thus, some deny the first objection 
m toto, and maintain that Nature is still in all respects “ very 
good/’ the only exception being fallen man. Others admit this 
objection, but deny that it applies to Scripture, arguing that 
the expressions in question refer to the world before the Fall, and 
regarding all evils existing in Nature now as the results of the 
I all. . Others, taking a middle course, allow a certain element of 
truth in both objections, but deny their extremes. According 
to these, the world is indeed, in one aspect, full of imperfec- 
tion, albeit in another full of tokens of perfection ; and this 
just because it is in a transition state, is slowly growing 
into completeness and beauty, and, like all God's works 
or this . kind, does so through much apparent, and for the 
time being real, imperfection and evil. It is only when looked 
back upon in its entirety from the stand-point" of its accom- 
plished end, say these, that it can be expected to appear 
reasonable and good in every item. Meanwhile, sufficient 
evidence of present goodness is given to furnish a firm 
foundation, both for confidence as to the present, and hope as 
to the future. 
In drawing this sketch of the existing relations between 
i Cri ?^ nre an( ^ ® c * ence a c l° se ^ two notes of explanation must 
pe added to prevent misunderstanding concerning it. 1st. It 
is by no means to be regarded as complete, either as concerns 
the objections or the answers; several of the less notorious 
and important of the former having been omitted for the sake 
o brevity, while in respect to the latter an immense number 
ot minute diversities and shades of difference have been passed 
over without notice, to avoid having to enter too much into 
details. 2nd. In gathering up the answers under the first three 
