22 UNITY OF THE CKEATIVE POWER. 



sence and action there of that great electric element 

 which, from the universality of its functions on our own 

 globe, we might well assume to be a cosmical agent in 

 the larger sense of the term ; expressing as such the 

 unity as well as grandeur of the creative power. 



If there be doubt as to electricity or magnetic 

 power pervading other systems than our own, there 

 can be none as to that great power of gravitation an 

 attribute of all matter ; and by its determinate laws 

 interpreting to us the movements not solely of our 

 own planets and comets, but of many of those nume- 

 rous double and multiple stars which the telescope 

 grasps and defines. Orbits and periods depending 

 upon this law ' the pendulums of eternity, 5 as they 

 have been called are calculated for worlds a million 

 times more remote from us than we are distant from 

 the sun. 



In our own system Laplace has applied his ' Cal- 

 cul des Probabilites ' to the modes of motion of the 

 several planets and satellites ; and he expresses by the 

 ratio of four millions to unity the presumption of a 

 single original cause producing these motions. Such 

 presumption to human reason is equivalent to a cer- 

 tainty. No doubt, indeed, can disturb conclusions as to 

 unity of origin derived from these phenomena. None 

 but a single Creative Power, define it how we will, can 

 be concerned in evolving laws thus congruous, uni- 

 versal, and absolute. 



Another argument, though less cogent, is furnished 

 by what may be called the sidereal series of the uni- 

 verse, ascending from our sun and planetary system to 



