268 
All living organisms are subjected to what may be called 
chance circumstances, or, as we might say, to accidental com- 
binations of forces. These, it is thought, cause or induce 
variations by influencing the reproductive system ; * never- 
theless, Mr. Darwin is wise in saying’ that “ our ignorance of 
the laws of variation is profound."! Yet the fact I wish to 
see recognized is the -power of the Deity to produce ultimate 
and designed results, not only by means of the recognized laics 
of nature, but through the so-called chance circumstances. 
It is when, as I believe, we find undoubted evidence of this 
being the case, that we are compelled to confess to the great- 
ness of our ignorance, to feel that faith, or the evidence of 
things not seen, is as much required in the student of nature 
as it is in the pursuit of Christian duty, and that we can only 
then fully realize how all things are possible to God alone. 
To illustrate this. Would any one, who at least believed 
in a Creator, deny that the physical constitution of this world 
was not destined to become relatively suitable for man ? Yet 
it was brought about by a long succession of events, the issues 
of so-called accidental circumstances. Would any one deny 
that coal was not destined for man's use ? Yet what is more 
accidental than that vegetable matter should accumulate in a 
peat bog or swamp ; while the difficulties, dangers, and 
frequent loss of life and property in securing it testify to the 
relative perfection of God's purposes and works ? Was it not 
designed that vegetable life should require water for growth 
and development, yet rain depends upon totally distinct 
causes, and quite irrespective of vegetation ? Thus and in an 
infinity of other cases do we see evident purpose more or less 
over-ruling natural laws and chance circumstances. 
I need hardly say it is quite unprofitable to attempt any 
explanation of the way by which the Deity can thus act. But 
the recognition of the possibility is of the utmost consequence, 
for it seems to strike at the root of all materialistic and 
atheistic views. It appears so utterly irreconcilable to us; 
although it is quite in accordance — as it is the object of this 
paper to show — with the Deity's methods in the moral and 
religious world, that, as is not unfrequently the case, a mind 
weak in faith gives way at the contemplation of this difficulty, 
denies design altogether, and reduces everything to blind 
chance. 
* Origin of Species, p. 93, 4th edition, 
f Ibid., p. 195. 
