We may believe that, mind, without denying scientific laws, or their permanence in any way.  It is not a question, this, of a living God, whether He interferes with His own laws now and then, but whether interference is not the law of all laws itself.  It is not a question of special providences here and there, in favour of this person or that; but whether the whole universe and its history is not one perpetual and innumerable series of special providences.  Whether the God who ordained the laws is not so administering them, so making them interfere with, balance, and modify each other, as to cause them to work together perpetually for good; so that every minutest event (excepting always the sin and folly of rational beings) happens in the place, time, and manner, where it is specially needed.  In one word, the question is not whether there be a God, but whether there be a living God, who is in any true and practical sense Master of the universe over which He presides; a King who is actually ruling His kingdom, or an Epicurean deity who lets his kingdom rule itself.

Is there a living God in the universe, or is there none?  That is the greatest of all questions.  Has our Lord Jesus Christ answered it, or has He not?  Easy, well-to-do people, who find this world pleasant, and whose chief concern is to live till they die, care little about that question.  This world suits them well enough, whether there be a living God or not; and as for the next world, they will be sure to find some preacher or confessor who will set their minds easy about it.

Fanatics and bigots, of all denominations, care little about that question.  For they say in their hearts—­’God is our Father, whosesoever Father He is not.  We are His people, and God performs acts of providence for us.  But as for the people outside, who know not the law, nor the Gospel, either, they are accursed.  It is not our concern to discuss whether God performs acts of providence for them.’

But here and there, among rich and poor, there are those whose heart and flesh—­whose conscience and whose intellect—­cry out for the living God, and will know no peace till they have found Him.

A living God; a true God; a real God; a God worthy of the name; a God who is working for ever, everywhere, and in all; who hates nothing that He has made, forgets nothing, neglects nothing; a God who satisfies not only their heads, but their hearts; not only their logical intellects, but their higher reason—­that pure reason, which is one with the conscience and moral sense.  For Him they cry out; Him they seek:  and if they cannot find Him they know no rest.  For then they can find no explanation of the three great human questions--Where am I?  Whither am I going?  What must I do?

Men come to them and say, ’Of course there is a God.—­He created the world long ago, and set it spinning ever since by unchangeable laws.’  But they answer, ’That may be true; but I want more.  I want the living God.’