The Philosophy of Evolution. 47 



thought be objectively presented, it will afford a correspond- 

 ing series of physical terras, each one of which will in like 

 manner determine the next. But thought is impossible unless 

 by a train of ideas so related. Its physical expression will 

 therefore be equally impossible except by a series of physical 

 terms similarly related, each one of which in some manner de- 

 termines the next. There must then be a perfect continuity in the 

 line that reaches from the simplest form of matter through all 

 grades of organic life up to man, the highest expression of the 

 divine idea. There can be no break in the chain of thought, be- 

 cause the law of the logical process forbids it : there can be no 

 break in the series of material symbols for the conditions of 

 concrete expression equally forbid it, A symbol is nothing 

 except as it represents that which is to be symbolized. So the 

 symbols form a physical series, because the thoughts symbol- 

 ized form a logical series. 



If the creator has fully revealed his thought, it must be by 

 a series of physical terms arranged in such a manner as to in- 

 dicate the logical series of ideas symbolized. Every form of 

 matter is a symbol of thought, and challenges interpretation. 

 Every change in form corresponds to an antecedent change m 

 idea, and must be intended to reveal it. As thought, then, 

 begins its evolution with the general and proceeds to the in- 

 dividual by a series of terms each of which is similarly re- 

 lated to both extremes, we must find the material enunciation 

 of this process assuming the form of a series of terms, begin- 

 ning with mere nebulous matter, grading into organic life, and 

 organic life presenting us with a similar series beginning with 

 the mere cell and ending with man. So rigid and invariable 

 must this serial arrangement be that if a term in either series 

 be wanting, we are authorized to hypothetically interpolate it. 



" Nature never makes a leap " says the scientific investiga- 

 tor, as he studies the material symbols of thought. " Thought 

 never makes a leap," says the metaphysician, as he studies the 

 necessary laws of rational action : and both have uttered the 



