4 INERTNESS OF MATTER. 



placing of matter in infinite space by a Placer, 

 denoted THEOS, in Greek. 1 



Taking no theories for granted without exam- 

 ination, our investigations will begin with the 

 primary axiom of the Newtonian Philosophy, 

 which affirms 



THE INCAPABILITY OF MATTER AT REST TO PUT 

 ITSELF IN MOTION. 



The belief of the incapability of matter to 

 move itself is confirmed only by negative proof, 

 because there is no well-authenticated case on 

 record, from time immemorial, of the self-motion 

 of any matter. Beginning observations in 

 early life, children are so accustomed to find 



1 The present popular question of Materialism does not appear to be 

 based on a denial of the pre-existence of a Placer, or THEOS, but on the 

 mode of the original placing of atoms in the formation of the worlds in 

 the heavens, and of plants and animals on earth, denoted " Evolution." 

 Zealous materialists even profess extraordinary reverence toward a 

 Supreme Placer, by proposing to relieve him of "the labor of an arti- 

 ficer, working after the human model " six days and resting the seventh, 

 while making the earth. They suggest the labor-saving plan of prima- 

 rily endowing atoms with sufficient self-motive and self-directive powers 

 to move spontaneously, and fit themselves to the right places for form- 

 ing the earth and producing the Evolution of plants and animals, as 

 they apparently do in forming symmetrical crystals. As expressly stated 

 by an eminent materialist in a sensational address delivered at Belfast, 

 he desires " the right of free discussion, claimed and sustained through 

 tribulation and anguish, inflicted and endured in darker times than ours, 

 but always resulting in immortal victories, which Physical Science has 

 won for the race." He continues : 



"The human mind, with the yearnings of a pilgrim for his distant 

 home, recurs to the mystery from which it has emerged, so as to give 

 unity to thought and faith. When this is done, without intolerance and 

 bigotry, then, casting aside all the restrictions on discussions of mate- 

 rialism, I affirm this will be the field for the noblest exercise of the facul- 

 ties of man." "I tell you, finally, Science claims the right of search. 



