40 PROLOGUE I 



is penetrated by a medium of such a nature that a 

 magnetic needle on the earth answers to a 

 commotion in the sun, an omnipresent agent is 

 also conceivable; if our insignificant knowledge 

 gives us some influence over events, practical 

 omniscience may confer indefinably greater power. 

 Finally, if evidence that a thing may be, were 

 equivalent to proof that it is, analogy might justify 

 the construction of a naturalistic theology and 

 demonology not less wonderful than the current 

 supernatural ; just as it might justify the peopling 

 of Mars, or of Jupiter, with living forms to which 

 terrestrial biology offers no parallel. Until human 

 life is longer and the duties of the present press 

 less heavily, I do not think that wise men will oc- 

 cupy themselves with Jovian, or Martian, natural 

 history ; and they will probably agree to a verdict 

 of " not proven " in respect of naturalistic theology, 

 taking refuge in that agnostic confession, which 

 appears to me to be the only position for people 

 who object to say that they 'know what they are 

 quite aware they do not know. As to the in- 

 terests of morality, I am disposed to think that 

 if mankind could be got to act up to this last 

 principle in every relation of life, a reformation 

 would be effected such as the world has not yet seen ; 

 an approximation to the millennium, such as no 

 N supernaturalistic religion has ever yet succeeded. 

 or seems likely ever to succeed, in effecting. 



