an hour's deliberation, the jury returned a verdict for the
defendants, and judgment was given them with costs.

We sincerely pity that Lincolnshire farmer. It is very hard lines to
receive only thirteen and fourpence for four tons of potatoes; and
harder still to pay the whole of that sum, and a good deal more, for
attempting to obtain compensation. The poor man is absolutely without
a remedy. The person who delayed and rotted his potatoes is called
God, but no one knows where he resides, and it is impossible to serve
a summons upon him, even if a court of justice would grant one. God
appears to be the chartered libertine of this planet. He destroys what
he pleases, and no one is able to make him pay damages.

Christians may call this "blasphemous." But calling names is no
argument. Certainly it will not pay for that farmer's potatoes. We fail
to see where the blasphemy comes in. An English judge and jury have
accepted the Great Northern Railway Company's plea that the fog was the
act of God. We simply take our stand upon their verdict and judgment.
And we tell the Christians that if God sent the fog--as the judge and
jury allow--he has a great deal more to answer for than four tons of
rotted potatoes. That terrible fog cost London a gas bill amounting to
twenty or thirty thousand pounds. It is impossible to estimate the cost
to the community of delayed traffic and suspended business. Hundreds of
people were suffocated or otherwise slaughtered. Millions of people
were made peevish or brutally ill-tempered, and there was a frightful
increase of reckless profanity.

Many persons, doubtless, will say that God did _not_ send the fog. They
will assert that it came in the ordinary course of nature. But does
nature act independently of God? Is he only responsible for _some_ of
the things that happen? And who is responsible for the rest?

Those who still believe in the Devil may conveniently introduce him,
it is curious, however, that they never do, except in cases of _moral_
evil. Criminal indictments charge prisoners with acting wickedly
under the instigation of the Devil. But _physical_ evil is ascribed to
Jehovah. Bills of lading exonerate shipowners from liability if anything
happens to the cargo through "the act of God or the Queen's enemies."
Old Nick does not raise storms, stir up volcanoes, stimulate
earthquakes, blight crops, or spread pestilence. All those destructive
pastimes are affected by his rival. Even case