550 THE SOUL. 



after a due season, it was suddenly made to breathe the air. Arrived at 

 the mature condition, there is not in its companion-body a single particle 

 that was present at birth. All has changed. And, what is still more 

 important, not only has there been this interstitial removal, but, in suc- 

 cession, the very nature of every one of its organs has changed. It is 

 needless now to repeat how many different systems of nutrition it has 

 depended on how many sorts of stomachs in succession it has had 

 how it has breathed by a membrane, by gills, and by lungs how it has 

 carried on its circulation without a heart, with a heart of one cavity, and 

 finally with one of four. Through all these losses and changes the im- 

 material principle has passed unscathed, and even gathering strength. 

 In the broadest manner that a fact can be set forth, we see herein the 

 complete subordination of structure and the enduring character of spirit. 

 Whatever may be the mechanism that is wanted, it is in readiness for its 

 time ; and when it has finished its duty, is neglected and disappears. 

 There is, therefore, a sound reason in the conclusion to which mankind, 

 perhaps from a mere instinctive impression, have come, that the soul will 

 exist after death, for, after surviving so many mutations, the removal of 

 so many of what seemed to be its firm and essential supports, we are jus- 

 tified in expecting that it will bear without ruin the entire withdrawal of 

 the whole scaffolding. 



As I have pointed out, we have precisely the same reason for believ- 

 ing the existence of the immortal spirit that we have for knowing that 

 there is an external world. The two facts are of the same order. Of 

 the future continuance of that external world, irrespective of ourselves, 

 we entertain no doubt ; indeed, in certain cases, as in those presented by 

 astronomy, we are able to tell its state a thousand years hence. So long 

 as our attention was confined to statical physiology, every thing connect- 

 ed with the subject now under consideration was enveloped in darkness, 

 but it will be very different when dynamical physiology begins to be 

 cultivated dynamical physiology, which speaks of the course of life, 

 of organs, individuals, and races. The law of development will guide 

 us to an interpretation of many things which are now shrouded in ob- 

 scurity, and teach us, from a consideration of what we have learned of 

 our past, and what we know of our present, what we may expect of our 

 future state ; and then it will appear that the universal opinion of the 

 ages and nations is not a vulgar illusion, but a solemn philosophical fact. 



So, therefore, the decline of the mental faculties with advancing years 

 is no indication of the hebetude of the spirit, or premonitory to its final 

 dissolution. It is only the gradual wearing out of the instrument, the 

 intervention of which has established relations with the outer world. 

 When a tool becomes blunted and old, the workman can no longer man- 

 ifest his former skill ; but the skill may nevertheless remain. Though 



