and the establishment of generalizations ever wider and wider-after the merging of limited and derivative truths, in truths that are larger and deeper, has been carried no matter how far; the fundamental truth remains as much beyond reach as ever. The explanation of that which is explicable, does but bring out into greater clearness the inexplicableness of that which remains behind. Alike in the external and the internal worlds, the man of science sees himself in the midst of perpetual changes of which he can discover neither the beginning nor the In all directions his investigations eventually bring him face to face with an insoluble enigma; and he ever more clearly perceives it to be an insoluble enigma."*

"To assume," says Lyell, "that the evidence of the beginning or end of so vast a scheme lies within the reach of our philosophical inquiries, or even of our speculations, appears to be inconsistent with a just estimate of the relations which subsist between the finite powers of man and the attributes of an Infinite and Eternal Being." +

Prof. Tyndall is compelled to use similar language: "If you ask me," says he, "whether science has solved, or is likely to solve, the problem of this universe, I must shake my head in doubt. We have been talking of matter and force; but whence came matter, and whence came force? Who made all these starry orbs? Science makes no attempt to answer. As far as I can see, there

* First Principles, I., 3, ? 21.

+ Principles of Geology, Vol. II., p. 613, tenth edition.

is no quality in the human intellect which is fit to be applied to the solution of the problem. The phenomena of matter and force lie within our intellectual range, and as far as they reach we will at all hazards push our inquiries. But behind, and above, and around all, the real mysteries of this universe remain unsolved; and here the true philosopher will bow his head in humility, and admit that all he can do in this direction is no more than what is within the compass of an ordinary child." *

We see, then, that the bold and undevout denial of Divine Providence, made by certain men of science, is stamped, by their own confession of ignorance, as presumptuous and arrogant in the highest degree. Whatever authority their names may carry with them in scientific circles, they weigh not a feather against this sublime doctrine of the Gospel; nor should their learned and imposing vocabulary move any for a moment to the disuse of the terms and similitudes in which it is therein set forth-terms and similitudes simple yet beautifully true. Nothing that Natural Science has yet brought to light demands the slightest modification of one expression employed by the Saviour to teach us the watchful care of our Father in heaven over us. His utterances were not notions, not theories, not opinions-but TRUTHS. And it is with satisfaction unspeakable that we now return to the feet of this meek and wise and holy Teacher sent from God, to whose mind the Laws and Forces of nature, in all their endless intricacy of action

* Lecture to Working Men, at Dundee, 1867.

and reaction were clearly seen and fully understood at each passing moment. And it is with feelings of joy and devotion that we take our place among the multitude that He is leading abroad into the open fields of nature, where, on touching their eyes, He surprises them with the sight of the Hand, which upholds the universe, employed in painting the lily of the field, feeding the fowls of the air, and adjusting and succoring the descent of the falling sparrow! Never man spake as the man Christ Jesus.

แ "What life and beauty, when, in all that breathes,
Or moves, or grows, His Hand is viewed at work!
When it is viewed unfolding every bud,

Each blossom tinging, shaping every leaf,
Wafting each cloud that passes o'er the sky,
Rolling each billow, moving every wing
That fans the air, and every warbling throat

Heard in the tuneful woodlands!"-WILCOX.

III. LAWS OF NATURE-THEIR BEARING ON ANSWER TO PRAYER.

No duty, no religious exercise, occupies a larger or more prominent place in the Christian system than PRAYER. The New Testament Scriptures throughout abound with precepts, examples, forms, promises, and encouragements in regard to the obligation and benefit of thus devoutly addressing the Father of Mercies. Indeed this Sacred Volume may be regarded as the "Common Prayer Book" of the human family. It teaches us both how to pray and what to pray for; and assures us in the most express terms and emphatic

manner of the efficacy of prayer, as means of obtaining from God blessings both temporal and spiritual. The broad command and unqualified promise given are, "Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'

To engage and establish men in the exercise of prayer, our blessed Lord delivered the several parables of The Widow and the Unjust Judge, of The Pharisee and the Publican in the Temple, and of The Friend coming to a Friend at midnight. And to convince us of God's loving readiness to hear and answer the prayers of his earthly offspring, He appeals to, and reasons from the tenderest and strongest affection of the human heart-parental Love. "If a son ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or, if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or, if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him?" And in harmony with all this it is added that, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint," seeing "the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."

Thus plainly do the New Testament Scriptures teach us the duty and benefit of Prayer-that by means of it a process of real and actual interchange between every soul of man on earth and God in heaven may be established, a process of ascending petitions on the one side and of descending mercies in answer to them on the other. In short, the Gospel enjoins and fosters the belief, that

by prayer, believing prayer, we may grasp the hand of Omnipotence, and hang on the neck of Infinite Love, in full assurance that, whatever we ask according to his will, shall be given us.

PRAYER FOR FOOD, PROTECTION, AND SUCCESS. PLAIN and positive as the above teachings are, and coming to us with the authority of the Divine Master as they do, yet there are not wanting in these days men bold enough to cast their own individual authority into the scales against His, and to question and qualify and limit the statements which He has made, and to tell us that so far as "any material or physical benefits," at least, are concerned, prayer has no such power with God, and results in no such advantages to man. They scruple not to assert, that human supplications, however earnest or persevering, can have no influence in the "visible universe," can procure no "material benefit," can ward off no "physical danger"—in brief, can in nowise change or affect man's earthly lot. Prayers offered to be saved from the ravages of disease or famine, or to be favored with food, health and security they smile at, as none other than the effusions of ignorance and superstition.

In order to show both plainly and fairly the position taken by these sceptics, we quote a few sentences from one that is regarded a leader among them. Professor John Tyndall, speaking of the ancient devout custom observed among the Tyrolese, of offering annually a special prayer for favorable weather and a fruitful season, says, "Year by year the Highest was entreated by