282 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



changed into a form so far removed from grossness- 

 that the air into which it has passed furnishes the 

 very term in which the thought of God is clothed, 

 when me speak of Him as " a most pure Spirit." But 

 we have not yet reached a full conception of the 

 marvellous subtilty of matter, when we have looked 

 into the translucent clearness of the sky. Matter is- 

 a mode of force. However constituted whether 

 composed of atoms ; or of vortex rings ; or of points 

 of force its ultimate constituents present to the 

 scientific imagination a tenuity immeasurably sur- 

 passing anything revealed through the senses. The 

 ultimate form of matter is not an inert thing : it 

 thrills with unceasing movement ; its pulsations are 

 the continuous play of all-pervading and limitless 

 energy. In accordance with Mr. Spencer's termin- 

 ology, matter is a manifestation of force, and force is- 

 a mode of power, and power is an attribute of God. 



On the other hand, obstacles in the way of the 

 acceptance of the fact of creation, are raised by mis- 

 conception as to the divine nature. The idea of God 

 comprises many attributes. These attributes the 

 limits of intelligence compel us to think separately.. 

 In accurate thinking the divine idea will be presented 

 in that aspect which stands related to the experience 

 at the time in question. When the mind is engaged 

 about the creation of matter, we think of power. 

 Whatever power in kind or in amount is implied in 

 the work, that power is to be ascribed to the Creator, 



