SIR ISAAC NEWTON

      Sir Isaac Newton, a British scientist, once had a skillful mechanic make him a miniature replica of the solar system, with balls representing the planets geared together by cogs and belts so as to move in harmony when cranked. Later, Newton was visited by a scientist friend who did not believe in God.

      One day as Newton sat reading in his study with his mechanism on a large table near him, his infidel friend stepped in. Scientist that he was, he recognized at a glance what was before him. Stepping up to it, he slowly turned the crank, and with undisguised admiration watched the heavenly bodies all move in their relative speed in their orbits. Standing off a few feet he exclaimed, "My, what an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?"

      Without looking up from his book Newton answered, "Nobody!" Quickly turning to Newton, the infidel said, "Evidently you did not understand my question. I ask who made it?" Looking up, Newton solemnly assured him that nobody made it, but that the aggregation of the matter so much admired had just happened to assume the form it was in. But the the astonished infidel replied with some heat, "You must think I am a fool! Of course someone made it, and he is a genius, and I would like to know who he is."

      Laying his book aside, Newton arose and laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system, whose laws you know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without designer and maker; yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?"

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