Now there is, of course, no reason why God should take any _special_ interest in the beings on this planet, more than in similar beings on other planets, if such exist; but this is very doubtful. For modern science has shown that not only are the same _materials_ found in the other planets (and also in the fixed stars) as are found here; but that _natural laws_, such as those of gravity, light, and heat, are the same throughout the entire universe. And this makes it probable that the laws of life are also the same; so that if living beings exist on other planets, we should expect them to be somewhat similar to the living beings here; and to have been evolved in a somewhat similar manner. And this requires that a large number of favourable circumstances, such as a moderate temperature, a suitable atmosphere, sufficient water, etc., should all be found on some other planet, not only now, but during the long ages which (judging by this earth) appear necessary for the development of the higher forms of life; and this certainly seems unlikely. On the other hand, it is difficult to believe that God would create an immense number of suns or stars, many of which have probably planets round them, if only one out of the whole series was to be inhabited by personal beings. But however strange this may seem to us, it entirely agrees with God's methods in nature, where what seems to be needless waste is the universal rule. So this is not an insuperable difficulty. The question, however, may well be left open, for even if other planets are inhabited, there is no reason why God should not take an interest--and perhaps a great interest--in their inhabitants, as well as in ourselves; since all His capacities are boundless, and even the smallest part of _infinity_ may be very large. (_C._) THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL. We now come to the other, and perhaps more important, difficulty--that arising from the _existence of evil_. This term in its widest sense includes both _pain_, which affects a man's body; _sorrow_, which affects his mind; and _sin_, which affects his spirit. The two former may be called _physical evil_, and apply also to animals; while the latter is _moral evil_, and applies only to man. And as the world is full of pain, sorrow, and sin, one may naturally ask how could it have been designed and created by a God Who cares for the welfare of His creatures? Or, to put the objection in other words, does not the existence of this evil show that God either could not or would not prevent it? If He _could_ not, he is not All-Powerful; if He _would_ not, He is not All-Good. This is an undoubted difficulty; and we will examine it in detail, both as it affects animals and men. (1.) _Physical evil in animals._