i 4 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



but, fastening like lightning upon whatever alternative comes first, 

 they hold to it to the end, whatever happens, without an instant's 

 irresolution. This is one of the splendid qualities which generally 

 accompany brilliant, unlasting success. It is impossible not to envy 

 the man who can dismiss reason, although we know how it must turn 

 out at last. 



Such are the advantages which the other methods of settling 

 opinion have over scientific investigation. A man should consider 

 well of them; and then he should consider that, after all, he wishes 

 his opinions to coincide with the fact, and that there is no reason why 

 the results of these three methods should do so. To bring about this 

 effect is the prerogative of the method of science. Upon such con- 

 siderations he has to make his choice a choice which is far more 

 than the adoption of any intellectual opinion, which is one of the 

 ruling decisions of his life, to which, when once made, he is bound to 

 adhere. The force of habit will sometimes cause a man to hold on to 

 old beliefs, after he is in a condition to see that they have no sound 

 basis. But reflection upon the state of the case will overcome these 

 habits, and he ought to allow reflection its full weight. People some- 

 times shrink from doing this, having an idea that beliefs are whole- 

 some which they cannot help feeling rest on nothing. But let such 

 persons suppose an analogous though different case from their own. 

 Let them ask themselves what they would say to a reformed Mussul- 

 man who should hesitate to give up his old notions in regard to the 

 relations of the sexes; or to a reformed Catholic who should still 

 shrink from reading the Bible. "Would they not say that these per- 

 sons ought to consider the matter fully, and clearly understand the 

 new doctrine, and then ought to embrace it, in its entirety ? But, 

 above all, let it be considered that what is more wholesome than any 

 particular belief is integrity of belief, and that to avoid looking into 

 the support of any belief from a fear that it may turn out rotten is 

 quite as immoral as it is disadvantageous. The person who confesses 

 that there is such a thing as truth, which is distinguished from false- 

 hood simply by this, that if acted on it will carry us to the point we 

 aim at and not astray, and then, though convinced of this, dares not 

 know the truth and seeks to avoid it, is in a sorry state of mind 

 indeed. 



Yes, the other methods do have their merits: a clear logical con- 

 science does cost something just as any virtue, just as all that we 

 cherish, costs us dear. But we should not desire it to be otherwise. 

 The genius of a man's logical method should be loved and reverenced 

 as his bride, whom he has chosen from all the world. He need not 

 contemn the others ; on the contrary, he may honor them deeply, and 

 in doing so he only honors her the more. But she is the one that he 

 has chosen, and he knows that he was right in making that choice. 

 And having made it, he will work and fight for her, and will not com- 



