the preserving of animal life, which we cannot
doubt of being its purpose. Here then is a world that is not eternal,
but which has been the effect of wisdom or design.
With regard again to the prospective view of the creation, How are we to
see the end of that wise system of things which so properly fulfils the
benevolent intention of its maker,--in giving sustenance to the animal
part, and information to intellectual beings, who, in these works of
nature, read what much concerns their peace of mind,--their intellectual
happiness? What then does our author mean, in condemning that
comprehensive view which I have endeavoured to take of nature? Would he
deny that there is to be perceived wisdom in the system of this world,
or that a philosopher, who looks into the operations of nature, may not
plainly read the power and wisdom of the Creator, without recoiling, as
he says, from the abyss? The abyss, from which a man of science should
recoil, is that of ignorance and error.
I have thus shown, that, from not perceiving the wise disposition of
things upon the surface of this earth for the preservation of vegetable
bodies, our author has been led to deny the necessary waste of the
present earth, and the consequent preparation of materials for the
construction of another; I have also shown, that he denies the origin
which I had attributed to the stratified parts of this earth, as having
been the collection of moving materials from a former earth; and now
I am come to consider the professed purpose of this paper, viz.
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