Trans. N. V. Ac. Scz. 98 Jan. 23, 



upon the scientific mind, it was found that several cf these groups of 

 phenomena, which had originally constituted distinct sciences, are at 

 bottom only varying modes of motion, occasioned by the varying con- 

 ditions of action, of a single force. Magnetism, and VoUaism were 

 found to be but variations of electricity : soon electricity began to 

 identify itself with chemical affinity : heat and light were correlated 

 with each other; heat, moreover, showed its relation to electriciy in the 

 phenomena of thermo-electricity. At length Faraday, with the aid of 

 Wheweli, entered upon an elaborate investigation, and showed satistac- 

 torily that all these phenomena are due^o one general and all-pervad- 

 ing force. All are mutually convertible : and hence we have the theory 

 of the unification of nature, in the doctrine variously described as the 

 Persistence of Force, and the Correlation or Convertibility of the Forces. 

 All specific forces are simply phases of one. This one is without 

 beginning or end, it pervades the universe; it has framed the systems 

 of the heavens and the earth. As expounded by Herbert Spencer, it 

 is "coordinate with all orders of phenomena ;" and is the real and scle 

 author of all the changes which take place around us — the ever present, 

 ever active, unbeginning, and unending nature-force which carries on 

 the working of the universe. 



It results from this, that there is no real force but this of the in- 

 finite, and that every other and more specific force is but a transient 

 phase of the acting of the First Cause. 



This conception of an infinite and diffused force or power, carrying 

 on, as it has originated, the system of nature, is the very opposite in 

 tendency of the former. Correlation is the counterpart of Evolution. 

 While the latter removes the creative action to the farthest limit of 

 time, the latter brings it into the present operations of nature. While 

 evolution reduces the divine action to a minimum, correlation makes it 

 the only active and vital thing in nature ; while evolution attributes 

 everything to physical forces in all the bodies of the world, correlation 

 abolishes the very existence of these forces as distinct realities, and 

 makes the infinite the only real agency — the ever active cause of all 

 nature's changes. We are, therefore, brought — by this doctrine of cor- 

 relation — face to face with the infinite and the eternal. 



It is the most elementary doctrine of physics that every action in- 

 volves an equal reaction. When, then, you act, what force is it that 

 reacts against you? Whatever may be its humble name, or its familiar 

 aspect, it is simply the force of the infinite. 



To some, this may seem to involve the danger of Pantheism ; but 

 we are shut up to it, whatever the danger. It only brings us back, 

 however, to the familiar conception of Newton, that " the laws of Na- 

 ture are the established methods of the D.vine action ;" and Newton 



