88 THE ORIGIN OF CREATION 1 . 



them is called a magnet, and its force is called magnetism. 

 This force is exactly similar to the force in a telegraph line, and 

 yet they call the latter electricity. This is what we object to, 

 and wherein we desire to correct public opinion. 



Magnetism therefore, and not electricity, is the great " im- 

 ponderable agent" which governs and controls all the movements 

 of the material world. 



Instead therefore of magnetism being dependent upon elec- 

 tricity, the case is reversed, as will be shown in the next 

 chapter, and all forms of " light " whatever, are consequently 

 caused by magnetism under certain conditions. 



"We stated at the commencement of the chapter that all light 

 was electricity. How do we prove this 1 



Electricity in its broadest sense, is combustion between the 

 two classes of matter, wherever exhibited. We can .find no- 

 combustion without the two classes, and we can find no electri- 

 city without combustion, in some form or another. Sunlight, 

 lightning, gas, coal and wood fires, volcanoes, are all examples. 

 As lightning is the best known form of electricity, we will 

 explain how it is caused. 



Gases are always rising from the earth, mineral as well as 

 vegetable ; these coming in contact in the atmosphere, by re- 

 ciprocating, and reversing their poles, become opaque and form 

 clouds. Thus combined they occupy less space than at first, 

 and by the greater attractive power which is acquired by them, 

 surrounding gases are drawn to them. This tends to produce 

 wind, which still further increases the reciprocal action. 

 The atoms when in form of clouds, being free, are reciprocally 

 brought into immediate action, and according to their position, 

 condition, and compounds, produce rain or snow, hail, fire or 



