3. The World as Governed by Law, Teleologically considered

Extract

Mr Wyld stated that he considered the philosophic treatment of this subject important, as there existed a great amount of loose ill-digested opinion in the public mind regarding it, and possibly also in the minds of many men of science.

The first object of the paper is to direct attention to the fact of the existence of general laws, alike in the physical and in the moral world; to consider these as designed for the benefit of the human race; and to enforce the duty of reviewing them as the appointed paths to human happiness and progress.

Mr Wyld showed that the doctrine is not only not necessarily connected with what is called infidel opinions, but, on the contrary, is far more naturally allied with the belief in a supreme Ruling Intelligence.