SCIENTIFIC FAITH ONCE MORE 



some other still larger, and so on; but the universe 

 as a whole can have no weight. A body at the centre 

 of the earth can have no weight. If unsupported, 

 would it move up or down? The infinitely little 

 and infinitely vast alike baffle the understanding, 

 developed as it is by our concrete finite life. Crea- 

 tion is typified by the sphere. A circle is a straight 

 line that at every point ceases to be a straight line, 

 and the earth's surface is a plane that every moment 

 ceases to be a plane. Following the surface of the 

 earth does not carry us to the under side, because 

 there is no more an under side than there is an upper 

 side — there is only a boundless surface. But if it 

 were possible for us to build a globe upon the earth 

 of any conceivable dimensions would it not have an 

 upper and an under side? 



n 



The mysteries of religion are of a different order 

 from those of science; they are parts of an arbitrary 

 system of man's own creation; they contradict our 

 reason and our experience, while the mysteries of 

 science are revealed by our reason, and transcend 

 our experience. One implies the supernatural, while 

 the other implies inscrutable processes or forces in 

 the natural. That man is of animal origin is a de- 

 duction of reason, but the fact so far transcends our 

 experience that it puts a great strain upon our 

 scientific faith. 



161 



