37 2 THE ALL THE COSMOS. 



can be transformed into motion, while up to this time no 

 one has succeeded in converting heat or motion into life, or 

 sensation, or any action peculiar to and characteristic of 

 living beings. Strauss is determined that miracles shall be 

 exterminated. He therefore summons from the lowest 

 depths the "slimy heap of jelly" the Huxleyan Bathybius 

 the Hackelian " clots of an albuminous carbon," which, 

 though inorganic in constitution, are yet capable of "nutrition 

 and accretion."* In this he discovers the true solution of 

 the problem that has puzzled all his predecessors. By this 

 new substance " the chasm may be said to be bridged," and 

 " the transition effected from the inorganic to the organic." 

 From the foundation afforded by a " slimy heap of jelly " is 

 to spring the new and true cosmic conception, the All, 

 which is to take the place of Christian Theology. We may 

 indeed ask whether we can for another moment consent to 

 be considered Christians ignorant, prejudiced believers in 

 miracle and refuse to receive and profit by the new reve- 

 lation? How can we any longer insist upon holding aloof 

 from the few enlightened followers of the new philosophy, 

 who, having out-grown the weakness of childhood, their 

 nursery theology having been discarded, are now gradually 

 learning to realize the blessings of the conception of the 

 All, the self-centred Cosmos, ^without any chasm between 

 the non-living and the living ? If, then we would speak as 

 honest, upright believers in Bathybius, must we not frankly 

 acknowledge we are no longer Christians ? 



But Strauss, like many other writers, ignores the fact 



* " On Accretion and Aggregation as distinguished from Nutrition." 

 Seepage 173. 



