78 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
the notation of days and hours, whatever shock it may give toold customs and 
he prejudices engendered by them. 
Tn countries of limited extent, the difficulty is easily grappled with. By 
general understanding, an arrangement affecting the particular community 
may be observed, and the false principles which have led to the differences 
and disagreements can be set aside. In Great Britain the time of the Obser- 
vatory at Greenwich is adopted for general use. But this involves a depar- 
ture from the principles by whieh time is locally determined, and hence, if. 
these principles be not wrong, every clock in the United Kingdom, except 
those on a line due north and south from Greenwich, must of necessity be 
in error. 
On the continent of North America efforts have recently been made to ad- 
just the difficulty. The steps taken have been in a high degree successful in 
providing a remedy for the disturbing influences referred to, and, at the same 
time, they are in harmony with principles, the soundness of which is indis- 
putable. 
When we examine into time in the abstract, the conviction is forced upon 
us that it bears no resemblance to any sort of matter which comes before our 
senses ; it is immaterial, without form, without substance, without spiritual 
essence. It is neither solid, liquid, nor gaseous. Yet it is capable of measure- 
ment with the closest precision. Nevertheless, it may be doubted if anything 
measurable could be computed on principles more erroneous than those which 
now prevail with regard to it. 
What course do we follow in reckoning time? Our system implies that 
there are innumerable conceptions designated ‘‘time.”’ We speak of solar, as- 
tronomical, nautical, and civil time, of apparent and mean time. Moreover, 
We assign to every individual point around the surface of the earth separate 
and distinct times in equal variety. The usages inherited by us imply that 
there is an infinite number of times. Is not all this inconsistent with reason, 
and at variance with the cardinal truth, that there is one time only ? 
Time may be compared to a great stream forever flowing onward. To us, 
nature, in its widest amplitude, is a unity. We have but one Earth, but one 
Universe, whatever its myriad component parts. That there is also but one 
flow of Time is consistent with the plain dictates of our understanding. That 
there can be more than one passage of Time is inconceivable. 
From every consideration, it is evident that the day has arrived when our 
method of Time-reckoning should be reformed. The conditions of modern 
civilization demand that a comprehensive system should be established, em- 
bodying the principal that Time is one abstract conception, and that all de- 
finite portions of it should be based on, or be related to, one unit measure. 
On these grounds I feel justified in respectfully asking the consideration of 
the Conference to the series of recommendations which I venture to submit. 
The matter is undoubtedly one in which every civilized nation is interested. 
Indeed, it may be said that, more or less, every human being is concerned in 
it. The problem is of universal importance, and its solution can alone be 
found in the general adoption of a system grounded on principles recognized 
as incontrovertible. 
Such principles are embodied in the recommendations which I am permit- 
ted to place before the Conference. They involve, as an essential requirement, 
the determination of a unit of measurement, and itis obvious that such a unit 
must have its origin in the motion of the heavenly bodies. No motion is more 
uniform than the motion of the earth on its axis. This diurnal revolution ad- 
mits of the most delicate measurement, and, in all respects, is the most ayail- 
able fora unit measure. It furnishes a division of time definite and precise,. 
and one which, without difficulty, can be made plain and manifest. 
