n of the soil. His discovery turned out
false, and a more attentive study of his subject led him to ascertain
that the object which he was pursuing was actually realized by Divine
Providence in a way of which he had had no suspicion. The following is
his own account of this, published in 1862: "After having submitted all
the facts to a new and very searching examination, I discovered the
cause of my error. I had sinned against the wisdom of the Creator, and I
had received my just punishment. I was wishing to perfect His work, and,
in my blindness, I thought that in the admirable chain of laws which
preside over life at the surface of the earth, and maintain it ever in
freshness, there was wanting a link which I, feeble and impotent worm,
was to supply. Provision had been made for this beforehand, but in a way
so wonderful, that the possibility of such a law had not so much as
dawned upon the human understanding."[112] Here is a confession very
noble in its humility; and to this chemist, who thus renders glory to
God, no one of his colleagues could say: "If you had as much science as
we, you would say no more about the wisdom of the Creator."

Let us pass on to natural philosophers. I have taken a special interest
in this part of my inquiry, because I had read in the productions of a
literary man of Paris, that modern physics have placed those at fault
who defend the doctrine of the living and true God. I inquired
accordingly of a man, very well able to give me the information, whether
there exists in Europe a natural philosopher holding a position of quite
exceptional distinction. I received for reply: "You may say boldly that,
by the unanimous consent of men of science, Mr. Faraday, in regard both
to the greatness and range of his discoveries, is the first natural
philosopher living." After having thus made myself sure, therefore, on
this point, I took the liberty of writing to Mr. Faraday the following
letter:

"GENEVA, 30th October, 1863.

"SIR,

"I have the intention of commencing shortly, at Geneva, and for an
auditory of men, a course of lectures designed to combat the
manifestations of contemporary atheism. To this deplorable error I
desire to oppose faith in God, as it has been given to the world by
the Gospel, faith in the Heavenly Father.

"One of my lectures will be specially devoted to the removal of
prejudices against reli