1 60 WHAT IS LIFE ? 



idols, 1 fetiches, &c., and even in the higher religions 

 of civilization there is only a difference in degree 

 from the lower religions. 



The history of this world may be summed up in 

 the words : a continuous eternal system of molecular 

 change, of molecular generation and regeneration. 

 Science is unable, and probably will never be able, to 

 trace the world to an origin ; to do so with the present 

 factors must be as hopeless as it is unnecessary. 



It is thought, by some, that the molecules of which 

 the earth consists, were once all in an incandescent 

 gaseous condition, that is, the molecules were highly 



of Thing- worship, as it may be termed, every brook, tree, hill, and star 

 is itself a living creature, benevolent or malignant, asleep or awake. 

 In the next stage, every object and phenomenon is inhabited or 

 presided over by a genius or spirit ; and with some nations th e virtues 

 and the vices are also endowed with personality. As the reasoning 

 powers of men expand, their gods diminish in number and rule over 

 larger areas, till finally it is . perceived that there is unity in nature, 

 that everything which exists is a part of one harmonious whole." 

 (" The Martyrdom of Man," Winwood Reade, 13th edition, 1890, 

 p. 172.) 



" The Egyptian worships the cow or the crocodile, the Indian 

 the rattlesnake, the African the Congo snake, &c. A stone, a tree, 

 a river, an alligator, a parcel of rags, a snake, form the idols of the 

 Negroes of Guinea. Such a worship does not express the idea of an 

 almighty being, governing the world and ruling nature and man, 

 but merely a blind fear of natural forces, which frighten uncivilised 

 man, or appear supernatural, as he is not able to trace the natural 

 connection of things." ("Force and Matter," Dr. Louis Biichner, 

 1864, p. 185.) 



1 " It is a somewhat striking development of commercial Chris- 

 tianity that there is an active manufacture of these" (idols) " in our 

 own city of Birmingham and elsewhere, to be sent out to India, it 

 may be, in the same ship with the missionaries." (" Chambers's. 

 Encyclopaedia," 1890, article "Idolatry.") 



