Txans! NV Acct. 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 Voltaism 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 electrici'y in the 
phenomena of thermo-electricity. At length Faraday, with the aid of 
Whewell, entered upon an elaborate investigation, and showed satistac- 
torily that all these phenomena are due to one general and all-pervad- 
ing force. All are mutually convertible: and hence wehave 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 ‘‘coérdinate with all orders cf phenomena ;’” and is the real and sole 
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. Weare, 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 your? Whatever may be its humble name, or its familiar 
aspect, itis 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, tothe familiar conception of Newton, that ‘“ the laws of Na- 
ture are the established methods of the Divine action ;” and Newton 
