FORMA TION OF JELL Y SPE CK. 333 



idea of God would present itself to the mind which con- 

 templated the phenomena of an amoeba as well as to the 

 mind absorbed in the contemplation of its own being, attri- 

 butes, nature and origin. It seems to me certain that the 

 opponents of theism would gain an army of supporters if 

 only they could adequately explain and account for the very 

 simplest of life phenomena could they in fact really prove 

 that they were able to effect but a minute fraction of what 

 they claim to have actually done. The formation of a 

 speck of jelly that will take up food and grow and multiply 

 is all that is required of them. They need not make grand 

 assertions as to what is possible, or prophecy what will be 

 done in times about to be, or write large volumes, or waste 

 their lives in fashioning and sharpening intellectual weapons ; 

 one little fact one actual demonstration and the day is 

 theirs with perfect certainty. Old forms, old hopes, old 

 feelings may influence us for a time ; prejudices may hide 

 the victory that has been won, and some of the defeated may 

 flatter themselves that all is not lost but when that in- 

 significant fact that one demonstration has been made, 

 the old will assuredly give place to the new. 



Every addition to our knowledge invariably leads to 

 new generalizations, new explanations, new hypotheses, new 

 doctrines; and intellectual enthusiasts in each successive age 

 deceive themselves first, and then deceive others, by pro- 

 claiming far and wide that the true nature of things is really 

 about to be discovered at last. General conclusions are too 

 hastily adopted and too energetically disseminated. Sober 

 examination soon leads to the discovery of fallacies and 

 good reason is found for grave doubt where all was sup- 

 posed to be fact demonstration. Before long the last new 



