e.

MY NEW CONFESSION OF FAITH

_THE UNIVERSE AND GOD_

The first of these was the physical universe. I had accepted the
theory of evolution in a general way; yet I could not account for the
marvelous organism of millions of worlds and suns and systems, of which
our earth is but a mere atom, filling the infinity of space, beyond all
human comprehension, revolving and whirling thru space, each in its
alloted orbit, with such perfect order and regularity, and all in the
most perfect harmony, governed by such immutable, perfect and universal
law, upon the theory of the operation of blind, unintelligent force
upon inert matter. Here was an effect. There must be a cause. The
effect cannot be greater than the cause. Here is an infinite universe;
there must be an infinite cause; and that cause cannot be less than
Infinite Eternal Intelligence. This cause, for the want of a better
name, we call God. I could thus easily account for the universe thru
the processes of evolution, directed by eternal, intelligent will,
operating thru eternal immutable and perfect law, upon eternal and
indestructible matter. Whether correct or not, this satisfied my mind
as to God and the universe.

I could sing with the Psalmist:

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his
handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night showeth
knowledge. Their line is gone out thru all the earth and their words
to the end of the world. There is no speech nor language where their
voice is not heard."

As I have before said, I never had any doubt about the existence of a
Supreme Being, and that the universe was in some way the product of his
creative energy. I think the doctrine of evolution satisfactorily
solves the "riddle of the universe," if it recognizes Infinite Spirit
as well as Eternal Matter; and that this Infinite Spirit is in some
way, tho beyond our comprehension, the real Force or Energy, both the
Intelligence and Life, the Great Uncaused First Cause behind all
phenomena, who, for the want of a better name we call God.

Perhaps it is impossible for any one to think of God without at the
same time conceiving some sort of definition of him. Yet, God cannot
be defined. He is infinite. And infinity cannot be defined in terms
of the finite. Any attempt to define God is to limit Him. Our
conceptions of God are at best limited, tho God himself is not. The
finite mind cannot conceive unlimited s