148 LECTURE ON THE RELATIONS OF TIME AND SPACE. 



and perhaps a simple illustration^ contained in Figure 6, will serve the 

 purpose. 



If a point (A) be assumed in a straight line which we may term 

 specifically infinite, the line in either direction from that point will be 

 interminable ; and the two portions, one on each side of the point, 

 may be regarded as being in effect equal. If, again, another point 

 (B) be assumed in the same line, however remote from the former, 

 the two portions, one on each side of it, may be regarded as being in 

 efiect equal ; though the whole intervening distance between A and 

 B will have been added to one of the portions into Avliich the line was 

 divided at the first point (A) and subtracted from the other portion. 

 It appears, therefore, that any such distance, however great, must 

 be regarded as nothing in comparison with a straight line intermin- 

 able in only one direction. As the point assumed in the interminable 

 line in effect divides that line into two halves, so the instantaneous 

 present divides the eternity past from the eternity future. It does 

 so, in so far as can be discerned, in all worlds at once ; as the same 

 plane in the figure cuts all the three straight lines which penetrate it, 

 and which are to be regarded as interminable in both directions from 

 the dividing plane. The present thus divides those two eternities 

 now. Through the limit thus ever-present the current of time passes, 

 in a metaphorical sense ; and moment by moment the eternity future 

 is transferred to the eternity past, and any portion of time however 

 long must be regarded as nothing in comparison with either. W&i 

 may thus, in some very humble measure, learn how it is that in the 

 view of i\\Q infinite mind Q, "thousand years" should be as "one day. '^1 

 and one day as a thousand years. 



The relations of things being, as already maintained, constituted 

 relations ; and they being also constituted in some respects alike, as 

 appears from the compai'isons of time and space, we may even rev- 

 erentially proceed a step further and conclude, that as any finite, or 

 even in some respects boundless, space is worthless, or to be regarded 

 as of no value in comparison with the absolute infinite of space ; 

 and as, again, any finite portion of duration is also a relative zero in 

 comparison with the absolute infinite of duration ; so, also, must the 

 highest created intelligence and lowest among men be alike worthless, 

 or regarded as nothing in comparison with the alone infinite one. 



Here, therefore, Avith humble reverence would we rest ; for this 

 discussion has led us to the consideration of great and awful themes ; 

 but here, also, with heartfelt gratitude would we bow, since He has 

 revealed Himself, and how He may be to us the Father of Mercies. 



