The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-22

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changed but that they must remain
in some form eternally. Also that
these elements existed in the form of
gases before, ages before they COM
menced to condense and form into
solids and assume the form and sub
stance of land and water.
Science teaches us that these for
native processes are in accordance
with laws which must have existed
or been established ages before the
formative process began.
If it be true that matter is indes-
tructible may we not with propriety
assume that it is not created or capa-
BILE of being created, but that it is CO.
existent with God, the Creator? For
our present purpose we will so as
sumo, as this is as far back as science
or revelation attempts to go.
Starting, then, with the premise that
there was in the remote past time
when there was nothing but space and
the original elements out of which the
worlds were to be formed, we must
conclude that these elements were in
animate; that they were devoid of
knowledge or will of their own as
they appear to be now, and that they
were acted upon by some outside
power which caused them to gradually
change their form and appearance
until the universe as itlnow has result
ted. Possibly it might be assumed
that these elements possessed within
themselves sort of life somewhat
analogous to that of trees but more
like that of rocks. They certainly
possess certain powers, such as the
attraction of gravitation and cohesion,
and, under certain conditions, of re-
pulsion.
A careful examination or study of
the subject, however, reveals the un-
questioned fact that whether these
powers constitute life or not, they are
subject to certain fixed and unchang-
ing laws which we call natural laws,
or the laws of nature.
Probably no intelligent person at
the present time will question for a
moment that these laws pervade and
absolutely control the entire universe
and that all the multitudinous pro-
cesses going on are 7hbject to their
control. In only one case can we see
an exception, and it is an open ques-
tion whether that is an exception.
That is where these processes are in
terfered with by living, intelligent
beings. Man sometimes appears to
divert these processes from their reg
ular course, but does he not do so by
bringing other laws into action and
is not his will or inclination to do SO
also subject to these same laws to a
greater or less degree9
Assuming, then, that it is admitted
that there is nothing which is not
subject to the control of these laws,
we are led to look for their origin.
We can understand how certain
forms Of life might exist without in
telligence and that matter might have
form without volition, but we cannot
study the infinitely complicated yet
perfect work of nature without find
ing on every hand wheresoever we
look the most astonishing and un-
questionable proof that it is directed
by wisdom entirely beyond any
possessed by any beings with WHICH
we are familiar.
We see, first, that this work of ma
ture is and has always been done on
a constant plan. Not one way yes
terday, another today and still an
other tomorrow. "The same yester-
day, today and forever" The same
forces go on continually. Again we
are surprised that she always chooses
the best way. No mistakes, no tear
ing down and rebuilding. The plans
were made and approved before the
work commenced and have never been
changed in a line or figure. They
could not be changed for the better;
so any change must be for the worse.
Still, again, we find her processes
are uniform. Like causes always
produce like results. Fire burns,
water quenches or browns, poison
kills, food nourishes, the effects never
get mixed; two and two always make
four and never three or five.
Again, we find she never loses her
equilibrium nor gets out of time. The
sun and planets rise and set when
and where they should and never
wander out of their orbits and get in
each others way, nor off into the will
derness of space and get lost. 1t is
because of this unchanging method
of doing things that people say the