s existed for six or seven thousand years; during this time
the nations have, under different forms, experienced many vicissitudes
and calamities; history shows us that the human race in all ages has
been tormented and devastated by tyrants, conquerors, heroes; by wars,
inundations, famines, epidemics, etc. Is this long catalogue of proofs
of such a nature as to inspire us with great confidence in the hidden
views of the Divinity? Do such constant evils give us an exalted idea of
the future fate which His kindness is preparing for us?

4. If God is as well-disposed as they assure us He is, could He not at
least, without bestowing an infinite happiness upon men, communicate to
them that degree of happiness of which finite beings are susceptible? In
order to be happy, do we need an Infinite or Divine happiness?

5. If God has not been able to render men happier than they are here
below, what will become of the hope of a Paradise, where it is pretended
that the elect or chosen few will rejoice forever in ineffable
happiness? If God could not or would not remove evil from the earth (the
only sojourning place we know of), what reason could we have to presume
that He can or will remove it from another world, of which we know
nothing? More than two thousand years ago, according to Lactance, the
wise epicure said: "Either God wants to prevent evil, and can not, or He
can and will not; or He neither can nor will, or He will and can. If He
wants to, without the power, He is impotent; if He can, and will not, He
is guilty of malice which we can not attribute to Him; if He neither can
nor will, He is both impotent and wicked, and consequently can not be
God; if He wishes to and can, whence then comes evil, or why does He not
prevent it?" For more than two thousand years honest minds have waited
for a rational solution of these difficulties; and our theologians teach
us that they will not be revealed to us until the future life.

LVIII.--ANOTHER IDLE FANCY.

We are told of a pretended scale for human beings; it is supposed that
God has divided His creatures into different classes, each one enjoying
the degree of happiness of which he is susceptible. According to this
romantic arrangement, all beings, from the oyster to the angel, enjoy
the happiness which belongs to them. Experience contradicts this sublime
revery. In the world where we are, we see all sentient beings living and
suffering in the midst of dangers. Man can not