NATURE'S ORIGIN. g 



tion of this psychical element in Nature. In 

 its final aspect it is the connecting principle 

 between all her separated forms millionfold, 

 for Nature in her outward appearance is sep- 

 arative, from the invisible atom, electron or 

 etherion, to the largest star or nebula. Now, 

 the bond of connection between all these di- 

 versified portions of the physical universe is 

 psychical, or mental, if you wish. The word 

 Nature implies some kind of unity or common 

 ground of generalization, which underlies its 

 every division. To know Nature truly is to 

 unify all her differences. Still further, we are 

 not going to rest till we ask: What is the 

 source of this psychical activity which 

 streams through the whole phenomenal world 

 and joins it to the universal fountain-head? 



I. 



NATURE'S ORIGIN". 



Many a scientist in these days has remarked 

 on the tendency of Natural Science, supposed- 

 ly so concrete, to become abstract and meta- 

 physical. During the present century it 

 burst forth in a reaction against speculative 

 Philosophy, especially in Germany; but it is 

 getting to be quite as speculative as any Phi- 

 losophy. This movement is in the order of 

 evolution, we hold; it shows Nature striving 



