182 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1944 
small. It actually has a small probability of doing the job with an 
insufficient amount of energy ! 
In the region of the supernebulae we are at present up against a 
paradox. We are at liberty to suppose that space is of a peculiarly 
curved character, or that it goes on to infinity; that the supernebulae 
are flying away with enormous velocities, or that some unknown 
principle of nature is deceiving us. We may be affected by a feeling 
of futility because of this state of affairs, and even have a sympathetic 
feeling for St. Ambrose, who in A. D. 389 wrote: 
To discuss the nature of the earth does not help us in our hope of the life to 
come. It is enough to know that, Scripture states that He hung up the earth 
on nothing. Why argue whether He hung it up in air or on water? The 
majesty of God constrains it by the law of His will. 
The spirit of modern science is not in agreement with St. Ambrose, 
and is not to be discouraged by apparent contradictions. This spirit 
demands continual arguing and speculating as to how the universe is 
hung up. Certainly we will always see as through a glass darkly, 
but just as certainly we will always keep on trying to polish the 
glass. 
