ULTIMATE CAUSES UNKNOWN 



chemical substance ? Many strange relations that are 

 found to exist in Chemistry might find in the last 

 surmise their explanation. The discoveries of Science 

 are tending to break down the dividing barriers be- 

 tween Physics and Chemistry, throwing the two realms 

 of energy into one. But the nature of the force 

 Chemical Affinity under any view, is equally in- 

 comprehensible. The inherent nature of Matter, in- 

 stead of being ignoble and degrading as Scholasti- 

 cism taught, is thus shown to be as transcendental as 

 that of the mind itself, to the human intelligence. 



In the study of each phenomenon, of abstract 

 existence, such as space, time, motion, energy and life, 

 the limit of comprehension is soon reached ; that 

 borderland of thought beyond which every alterna- 

 tive that offers is alike unthinkable. The mind re- 

 coils, baffled as by an impenetrable cloud that veils 

 the Inscrutable within. In all times and among all 

 nations the existence of an overruling power has been 

 acknowledged. That power, the Absolute, the Un- 

 conditioned, GOD, we can never know, at least not in 

 this life, and of the life beyond we yet know nothing. 

 The partial manifestations of his thoughts and deeds 

 are before us to study and to know in the world 

 around us. Our own mind or intellect is one of its 

 highest objects of study, but it must be remembered 

 that its faculties are limited that it can do nothing 



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