MATTER AND FORCE. 39? 
can see, there is no quality in the human intellect which is 
fit to be applied to the solution of the problem. It entirely 
transcends us. The mind of man may be compared to a 
musical instrument with a certain range of notes, beyond 
which in both directions we have an infinitude of silence. 
The phenomena of matter and force lie within our intel- 
lectual range, and as far as they reach we will at all hazards 
push our inquiries. But behind, and above, and around 
all, the real mystery of this universe lies unsolved, and, as 
far as we are concerned, is incapable of solution. Fashion 
this mystery as you will, with that I have nothing to do. 
But let your conception of it not be an unworthy one. 
Invest that conception with your highest and holiest 
thought, but be careful of pretending to know more about 
it than is given to man to know. Be careful, above all 
things, of professing to see in the phenomena of the ma- 
terial world the evidences of Divine pleasure or displeasure. 
Doubt those who would deduce from the fall of the tower 
of Siloarn the anger of the Lord against those who were 
crushed. Doubt equally those who pretend to see in 
cholera, cattle-plague, and bad harvests, evidences of 
Divine anger. Doubt those spiritual guides who in Scot- 
land have lately propounded the monstrous theory that the 
depreciation of railway scrip is a consequence of railway 
traveling on Sundays. Let them not, as far as you are 
concerned, libel the system of nature with their ignorant 
hypotheses. Looking from the solitudes of thought into 
this highest of questions, and seeing the puerile attempts 
often made to solve it, well might the mightiest of living 
Scotchmen that strong and earnest soul, who has mad^ 
every soul of like nature in these islands his debtor well, 
I say, might your noble old Carlyle scornfully retort on. 
such interpreters of the ways of God to men: 
The Builder of this universe was wise, 
He formed all souls, all systems, planets, particles; 
The plan he formed his worlds and JSons by, 
Was Heavens! was thy small nine-and-thirty articles', 
