& THE ORIGIN OF CREATION. 



This is the attraction of like atoms. 



Now suppose we have two bars of magnetized iron, and 

 some iron filings. If we take the ends pointing north, or the 

 ends which attract the north point of a compass needle, and 

 dip them into the filings, these particles will stick to the bars, 

 and bristle out on both ends like hairs. Suppose we then 

 bring the same ends together, the filings seem possessed of 

 life and fall back from each other, thus showing the repulsive 

 power of similar poles. But if we place filings on the nortk 

 end of one, and on the south end of the other, the particles 

 stretch out from each bar and cling to one another. This is a 

 simple experiment, but very important and suggestive, and it 

 may be performed by any one. 



While thus all atoms are magnets having polarity, when a 

 number of them coalesce or join together, each individual atom 

 merges its polarity into the force or polarity of the whole. 



For instance, a small piece of iron has a north and south 

 polarity, because it attracts the points of a compass needle ; but 

 suppose we take some hundreds of these small pieces, and form 

 them into a large bar of iron, we do not find some hundreds of 

 north and south poles in it, but only one north and one south 

 pole. The force which was in each small piece is concentrated 

 in the whole, so that the attractive and repulsive power of the 

 bar is stronger by every piece that is added to it. 



While then it may be believed, by our readers generally, that 

 some atoms are magnets, as iron for instance, it will be hard to 

 convince many that all atoms are magnets for instance, the 

 atoms of the paper we write on, or the bread we eat ; but it 

 shall be our endeavour to prove them to be so in succeeding, 

 chapters. It will be hard also to convince the world thai 



