But is not speculation better than indifference? Curiosity about the gods may lead to a better acquaintance with them. I feel that each of these chapters might be called an altar to the Unknown God. JOHN BURROUGHS CONTENTS I. SHALL WE ACCEPT THE UNIVERSE? 3 II. MANIFOLD NATURE 19 III. EACH FOR ITS OWN SAKE 30 IV. THE UNIVERSAL BENEFICENCE 54 V. THE GOOD DEVILS 73 VI. THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE 90 VII. THE FAITH OF A NATURALIST 112 VIII. A FALLACY MADE IN GERMANY 134 IX. THE PRICE OF DEVELOPMENT 138 X. TOOTH AND CLAW 158 XI. MEN AND TREES 173 XII. THE PROBLEM OF EVIL 193 XIII. HORIZON LINES: I. THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 203 II. THE LIVING AND NON-LIVING WORLDS 205 III. THE ORGANIZING TENDENCY 207 IV. SCIENCE AND MYSTICISM 211 V. IS THERE DESIGN IN NATURE? 219 VI. OUR IMPARTIAL MOTHER 225 VII. BAFFLING TRUTHS 226 VIII. SENSE CONTRADICTIONS 230 IX. MAN A PART OF NATURE 233 X. THE FITTEST TO SURVIVE 237 XI. THE POWER OF CHOICE 238 XII. ILLUSIONS 239 XIII. IS NATURE SUICIDAL? 242 XIV. THE PERSISTENCE OF ENERGY 245 XIV. SOUNDINGS: I. THE GREAT MYSTERY 253 II. THE NATURAL ORDER 257 III. LOGIC AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS 261 IV. A CHIP FROM THE OLD BLOCK 265 V. A PERSONAL GOD 266 VI. THE ETERNAL 270 VII. AN IMPARTIAL DEITY 275 VIII. FINITE AND INFINITE 278 IX. THE INSOLUBLE 280 X. PAYING THE DEBT 282 XI. DEATH 288 XII. HEAVEN AND EARTH 293 XIII. THINKING AND ACTING 296 XIV. THE TIDE OF LIFE 304 XV. FAITH FOUNDED UPON A ROCK 309