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iacts and principles which we are in danger of undervaluing 
or forgetting. For example, while Mr. Powell is loud and 
frequent m praise of what he calls “ those grander concep- 
tions of the order of nature, those comprehensive primary 
elements of all physical knowledge, those ultimate ideas of 
universal causation, which can only be familiar to those tho- 
roughly versed m cosmical philosophy in its widest sense,” 
he is not above stepping occasionally out of this “ grander” 
position to admit objections from humbler considerations of 
a moral and metaphysical kind. Physical science contains 
in fact but a part, and not the whole, of the scientific prin- 
ciples involved m the acceptance or rejection of miracles/ 
Definition of Miracles. 
It is of primary importance to define what we mean by a 
miracle. Yet the task is not easy. Like faith, a miracle 
scarcely admits of strict logical definition. But if we regard 
miracles as '. direct mediate, and providential, a definition may 
be given that will suit all practical purposes. By a direct 
miracle is meant such as God wrought immediately or without 
the intervention of second causes; as the act of creation. By 
a mediate miracle is meant such as God wrought through 
le instrumentality of chosen agents, as Prophets and 
Apostles,- abundant instances of which are to be found in 
Holy Scripture. By a providential miracle is meant such as 
God wrought by means of second causes, combined in an 
unusual manner ; as the advent of the swarm of flies or cloud of 
ocusts m Egypt,-events that could be explained upon natural 
principles. _ I heir evidential force as miracles lay in the occa- 
Tld ci 7 rcumstanc ®? of th eir production, and particularly 
in the foreknowledge displayed m their prediction and fulfil- 
ment at a given time and for a specified purpose. A Bible 
miracle, then, may be defined-" an event having for i s 
cflicient cause the active power of God exercised directly, 
ei lately, or providentially, for the accomplishment of moral 
ends, among free agents. 
„ A11 s “ch statements as "violations” of nature, or events 
contraiy to nature,” adopted by Mr. Powell, ought to be 
s aicc . 1 hey do not describe a miracle in any sense- 
or it is neither a “violation” of, nor “ contrary” 7 to na^ 
ambigumis 6 ; eXP1 ' eSS10n of - natare ” is mi “g and 
“Nature,” for example, is used sometimes to include the 
active operations of Deity, direct and mediate (natura natumns) 
and m Jus sense it may include miracles. Bishop Butler used 
