22 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
claim the right to have its own time. It is self-evident that time 
is in no way dependent on locality, and I will quote on this point but 
one authority, the great Sir Isaac Newton. ‘‘ Absolute true and 
mathematical time of itself, and from its own nature, flows equally 
without regard to anything external.” 
Our finite minds are incapable of understanding fully what time 
is, but this much is perfectly clear to our reason. Time is a measure- 
able quantity, it may be termed a flowing magnitude, and only as one 
such magnitude is it conceivable. A distinct and separate flow of time 
in each of the myriad localities throughout the Universe is perfectly 
inconceivable. If time be anything it is a wnity and not a plurality. 
The cardinal principle of Cosmic Time is wnity, and with unity as a 
fundamental idea of time it must be held that the Cosmic system is 
the only sound principle of reckoning, and that as the area of civil- 
ization broadens, it must in the end be recognized as applicable 
everywhere and for all purposes. ; 
The conclusions of the International Conference are fruitful of 
results of high importance. They may be said to point to the open- 
ing of a new chapter in the world’s annals. They make provision 
for a complete cessation of ambiguity in hours and dates. By Cosmic 
Time all events whatsoever will be systematically arranged according 
to their proper chronological order. The calendar days the world 
over will begin at the one initial instant, and clocks will strike the 
same hour at the same moment in all longitudes. 
But the new system can only be gradually introduced. The 
inajority of mankind have firmly fixed ideas with regard to the passage 
of the day and the numbers of the hours by which their social habits 
are regulated. A proposal suddenly to change the old familiar suc- 
cession of the hours will be misunderstood. The influence of custom 
is always powerful under any aspect. It is anticipated that this influ- 
ence will be the one serious obstacle to be overcome. The belief, 
however, may be permitted that the change will be rendered easy 
when men understand that the numbers of such hours have been arbi- 
trarily chosen; that there is no necessary connection between them 
and the position of the sun in relation to the earth in its daily rota- 
tion, and that whatever numbers may distinguish the twenty-four 
divisions of the day, the recurring phenomena of light and darkness 
will always regulate sleeping, waking, eating, and working, and 
all the routine of life in every locality. Noon has heretofore been 
