CONTINUITY AND CONTINUANCE 35 



along definite lines of evolution "for ever and ever," 

 perfecting in its continual progression its development 

 more and more until it enters the light of that region of 

 ineffable glory, known in revelation as <c the perfect day," 

 the light of which, it is allowable to suppose, will illumine 

 to some extent and reveal to finite intelligence the plans 

 and proportions of the infinite intelligence, as well as the 

 working of the all-powerful developmental and evolutional 

 strength. 



Furthermore, we might ask who could say, had he 

 lived contemporarily with the first created living thing 

 and seen the first palaeontological remains deposited in the 

 earliest geological stratum, that intelligent, and, as we now 

 dare to contend, immortal man, would in time appear 

 and leave his mark on the latest stratum ? 



We need not say that it would have been as impossible 

 for that man to answer the question as it is for us, in the 

 twentieth century of the Christian era, in the faintest 

 degree to anticipate what is in store for the immaterial and 

 immortal part of man, on its emancipation from its material 

 impedimenta and its entrance on an unencumbered and 

 immaterial process of development and progress. Imagi- 

 nation here, even in her highest flights, could not essay 

 the task of framing an intelligible answer, but must per- 

 force drop her leaden and ineffectual wings in helpless 

 effort to cleave so rare an atmosphere ; where alone, we 

 may assume, the pure and chastened spirit, in the enjoy- 

 ment of eternal life, can rest from its labours and dwell 

 in ineffable joy and freedom for evermore ! Such thoughts 

 have been alike a source of solace and a perennial stimulus 

 to rectitude of conduct in the lives of the great and good 

 of all ages, as well as a potent influence for good on those 

 who, by the strength of their faith in their u sweet reason- 

 ableness," the assurance of their intrinsic truth, and the 

 certainty of their ultimate fulfilment and realisation, have 

 been led to live a life of virtue and nobility. 



Imagination, however, after all, may have something to 

 say of "light and leading" in justification of her taking 

 up such questions, and of explanation of the position she 

 assumes as the forager and caterer for information for the 

 psychic forces and mental constitution of man, and it is 



