than that of Moses, whether contained in the sacred books of
religions that have long existed, or professing to be based on
modern scientific discovery, raise difficulties that are
insuperable. Whence came matter if not from the creative word of
God? To assign eternity to it is to invest it with an attribute
that is Divine, and Pantheists carry such an explanation to its
logical conclusion when they affirm that the universe is God.
The existence of a single atom is an unfathomable mystery. Man
cannot create or destroy even a particle of matter. How
overwhelming, then, if we reject the simple statement of the
Bible, is the mystery of the great universe, in whose extended
space suns, planets, stars, and systems unceasingly revolve, and
in which our own world is but a little speck. All things created
point to God as their origin and source. "The invisible things
of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power
and Godhead."[027]

"I asked the earth," wrote Augustine in his _Confessions_, "and it
answered me, 'I am not He.' And whatsoever things are in it confirmed
the same. I asked the sea and the deeps and the living creeping things,
and they answered, 'We are not thy God, seek above us.' I asked the
morning air, and the whole air with its inhabitants answered,
'Anaximenes was deceived, we are not thy God.' I asked the heavens, sun,
moon, stars, 'Nor,' say they, 'are we the God whom thou seekest.' And I
replied unto all the things which encompass the door of my flesh, 'Ye
have told me of my God that ye are not He: tell me something more of
Him.' And they cried out with a loud voice, 'He made us.'"[028]