252 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE, 



colour. The 'dry light' of the intellect suffices for 

 them, and they live their noble lives untouched by a 

 desire to give the mystery shape or expression. There 

 are, on the other hand, men whose minds are warmed 

 and coloured by its presence, and who, under its 

 stimulus, attain to moral heights which have never 

 been overtopped. Different spiritual climates are 

 necessary for the healthy existence of these two classes 

 of men ; and different climates must be accorded them. 

 The history of humanity, however, proves the experi- 

 ence of the second class to illustrate the most pervading 

 need. The world will have religion of some kind, even 

 though it should fly for it to the intellectual whoredom 

 of ' spiritualism.' What is really wanted is the lift- 

 ing power of an ideal element in human life. But the 

 free play of this power must be preceded by its release 

 from the practical materialism of the present, as well 

 as from the torn swaddling bands of the past. It is now 

 in danger of being stupefied by the one, or strangled by 

 the other. I look, however, forward to a time when 

 the strength, insight, and elevation which now visit us 

 in mere hints and glimpses, during moments ' of clear- 

 ness and vigour,' shall be the stable and permanent 

 possession of purer and mightier minds than ours 

 purer and mightier, partly because of their deeper 

 knowledge of matter and their more faithful conformity 

 to its laws. 



