484 The Possibility of a Future Life. (October, 
authors have applied to the inhabitants of other orbs in the 
visible universe and we may in like manner infer that in. 
the life to come we shall not be exempt from accident, and 
from its consequence—death. Possibly this.point has been. 
foreseen by the authors. Perhaps they may argue that if 
we die in unseen universe No. 1, we shall live again in. 
unseen universe No. 2, and so on ad infinitum. 
Now we are not aware that this supposition involves any 
new difficulties. Our transfer from No. I to No. 2 might 
be effected on the very same principles as our removal from. 
this world to No. 1, and a virtual immortality, or at least. 
continuity of consciousness, might thus be maintained. 
But such a future life would be reft of half its attractions. 
Is not the greatest pang of death the separation from those 
we love? Is not the hope of an eternal reunion the main. 
source of our yearning for a life beyond the grave? But if 
such future life consists in a series of removals from one 
unseen world to another, the prospects of reunion become 
very slender. 
The authors devote a chapter to discussing the possi- 
bility of intelligences superior to man existing in the visible: 
universe. This inquiry seems at first glance irrelevant. 
But it is to some extent justified by the consideration that 
if such exist it might be ‘‘at least conceivable that man 
may be at death drafted off into some superior rank of 
being connected with the present universe, and thence ulti- 
mately removed into a new order of things when the present 
universe shall have become effete.” The conclusion they 
reach is in the negative. Science tells us of no superior 
order of beings connected with the present universe, and in 
virtue of the law of Unity, they pronounce the conception 
of such beings altogether untenable.” That beings analo- 
gous to man may exist in other worlds they do not dispute. 
Turning from the ‘‘ verdict of science to the sacred writings 
of the Jews, we find,” they continue, ‘‘ that one grand idea 
which pervades the whole of the Old Testament is man’s . 
absolute superiority and practical sovereignty over all created 
beings whom he can perceive otherwise than with the 
mind’s eye.” 
Now, that science has hitherto revealed to us no being 
superior to man is undeniable. But is it not “‘ very hazard- 
ous” to conclude that none such may exist in other portions 
of the present universa? The authors admit beings “‘ analo- 
gous to man,” but a certain degree of analogy is not incon- 
sistent with immense superiority. We know that the 
meteorites which from time to time fall to our earth have 
