s needful for you to know.

I confess that I have never been able to understand the position of the
atheist. In fact, I have come to disbelieve in his existence, and
to look upon the word as a mere term of theological reproach. It may
represent a temporary condition, a passing mental phase, a defiant
reaction against an anthropomorphic ideal; but I cannot conceive that
any man can continue to survey Nature and to deny that there are laws at
work which display intelligence and power. The very existence of a world
carries with it the proof of a world-maker, as the table guarantees
the pre-existence of the carpenter. Granting this, one may form what
conception one will of that Maker, but one cannot be an atheist.

Wisdom and power and means directed to an end run all through the scheme
of Nature. What proof do we want, then, from a book? If the man who
observes the myriad stars, and considers that they and their innumerable
satellites move in their serene dignity through the heavens, each
swinging clear of the other's orbit--if, I say, the man who sees this
cannot realise the Creator's attributes without the help of the book of
Job, then his view of things is beyond my understanding. Nor is it only
in the large things that we see the ever present solicitude of some
intelligent force. Nothing is too tiny for that fostering care. We see
the minute proboscis of the insect carefully adjusted to fit into the
calyx of the flower, the most microscopic hair and gland each with its
definite purposeful function to perform. What matter whether these came
by special creation or by evolution? We know as a matter of fact that
they came by evolution, but that only defines the law. It does not
explain it.

But if this power has cared for the bee so as to furnish it with its
honey bag and its collecting forceps, and for the lowly seed so as to
have a thousand devices by which it reaches a congenial soil, then is it
conceivable that we, the highest product of all, are overlooked? It is
NOT conceivable. The idea is inconsistent with the scheme of creation as
we see it. I say again that no faith is needed to attain the certainty
of a most watchful Providence.

And with this certainty surely we have all that is necessary for an
elemental religion. Come what may after death, our duties lie clearly
defined before us in this life; and the ethical standard of all creeds
agrees so far that there is not likely to be any difference of opinion
as