Nor is it difficult to suggest a reason for this. For man, as we know, has a _mind_, as well as a body; and though the discoveries of science have in some respects lessened the importance of his _body_, by showing its evolution from other animals; they have at the same time increased that of his _mind_, for it is his mind that has discovered them. And every fresh discovery man makes can only exalt him still higher for making it; so that the mind of man now shows him to be a far nobler being than could possibly have been imagined some centuries ago. And certainly, a mind that can discover the motions of distant stars, and the elements of which they are composed, cannot be thought insignificant. In fact, in one respect man is greater than any of the stars; for he can think about them, but they cannot think about him. Moreover, man has not only a mind, but also a _spirit_, or free will, able to act right or wrong. And even his acting _wrong_, however sad it may be in other respects, is a powerful witness to his greatness; for who but a great being could act in opposition to the will of the Almighty? But then; if his acting _wrong_ proves his greatness, still more does his acting _right_. Indeed (if we were not so far from it ourselves) we should probably see that moral perfection, or _always_ acting right, though one might act wrong, is the noblest thing in the whole universe; and as far above mental greatness, as this latter is above mere physical strength. But though _we_ cannot properly appreciate it, God can. He is Himself a Spirit, and therefore, in His sight, a man possessing a mind and spirit, and thus made to some extent in His own image, and capable of developing moral perfection, may be of more value (because more like Himself) than a universe of dead matter. In the same way (to quote a well-known analogy) a king will value his child more than his palace: for the simple reason that the child is more like himself. Thus _persons_ are always more valuable than _things_. And they are _incomparably_ more valuable, for they have nothing in common by which they can be compared. We cannot class an astronomer with his telescopes, or say that one geologist is worth so many fossils, or one bricklayer so many bricks. And this being so, what shall we say of the millions of men who have lived, and are now living, on this earth? Surely _their_ welfare cannot be thought insignificant by anyone, least of all by their Creator. (3.) _The supposed inhabitants of other planets._ But it may be said, what about other planets? Are not some of these inhabited, and does not this weaken the argument a good deal, and show that God cannot take any special interest in man, or other beings on this earth?