55 
pose the homogeneous universe to have been infinite, no 
change could take place in it, because all the forces would 
neutralize each other. Mr. Herbert Spencer says the same 
thing (p. 429), and for so far there is no difference between 
them. The only hypothesis, therefore, about which a question 
can arise is that of a finite homogeneous universe. In such a 
case there would not be equilibrium ; but supposing attraction 
to prevail, a general tendency to concentrate. If the shape 
be supposed spherical, and the force the attraction of gravita- 
tion, the tendency of each particle would be to move in a 
straight line towards the centre. For if the sphere were 
divided into two parts, one of which is a smaller sphere, whose 
radius is the distance of the particle from the centre, and the 
other a spherical shell surrounding that smaller sphere, this 
outer shell would exert no effective attraction on the particle, 
as is well known, and the inner sphere would attract it towards 
the centre in the same way as if the attractive powers of all 
its particles were collected at that point. The latter, then, 
being the only effective force acting upon each particle, the 
tendency of all would be to move in straight lines towards the 
centre of the universe. Thus Bishop CotterilPs observation, 
that the only effect would be the concentration of the whole 
mass, is strictly true on these two hypotheses, namely, that 
the universe, when homogeneous, was of a spherical shape, and 
that the only force exerted on the particles was that of gravi- 
tation. If the shape be supposed irregular, or if other forces 
following different laws from that of gravitation be supposed 
to have acted, differentiation to a certain extent might follow 
through the play of natural force, and without the intervention 
of will. But such suppositions as these are perfectly gratuitous ; 
and it is evident that in making them at all we are out of our 
depth. If we suppose the universe to have been created 
homogeneous, we thereby acknowledge a Creator, and the 
intervention of will; if, on the other hand, we suppose the 
universe to have existed from all eternity, to speculate upon 
its original shape or nature involves an evident contradiction ; 
for how could it have an original nature or shape if it had no 
origin ? Seeing, then, that the effect of making suppositions 
on such subjects is to involve us in contradiction and uncer- 
tainty, the safest and most rational course seems to me to be 
to accept the biblical account of the origin of the heavens and 
of the earth, which, to say the least, is not less probable in 
itself than any other conjecture which philosophers have ven- 
tured upon, and which, moreover, has come down to us with 
a warrant and an authority which no man has a right to 
despise. 
