MATTER AND FORCE. 39? 



can see, there is no quality in the human intellect which is 

 fit to be applied to the solution of the problem. It entirely 

 transcends us. The mind of man may be compared to a 

 musical instrument with a certain range of notes, beyond 

 which in both directions we have an infinitude of silence. 

 The phenomena of matter and force lie within our intel- 

 lectual range, and as far as they reach we will at all hazards 

 push our inquiries. But behind, and above, and around 

 all, the real mystery of this universe lies unsolved, and, as 

 far as we are concerned, is incapable of solution. Fashion 

 this mystery as you will, with that I have nothing to do. 

 But let your conception of it not be an unworthy one. 

 Invest that conception with your highest and holiest 

 thought, but be careful of pretending to know more about 

 it than is given to man to know. Be careful, above all 

 things, of professing to see in the phenomena of the ma- 

 terial world the evidences of Divine pleasure or displeasure. 

 Doubt those who would deduce from the fall of the tower 

 of Siloam the anger of the Lord against those who were 

 crushed. Doubt equally those who pretend to see in 

 cholera, cattle-plague, and bad harvests, evidences of 

 Divine anger. Doubt those spiritual guides who in Scot- 

 land have lately propounded the monstrous theory that the 

 depreciation of railway scrip is a consequence of railway 

 traveling on Sundays. Let them not, as far as you are 

 concerned, libel the system of nature with their ignorant 

 hypotheses. Looking from the solitudes of thought into 

 this highest of questions, and seeing the puerile attempts 

 often made to solve it, well might the mightiest of living 

 Scotchmen that strong and earnest soul, who has made 

 every soul of like nature in these islands his debtor well, 

 I say, might your noble old Carlyle scornfully retort on 

 such interpreters of the ways of God to men: 



The Builder of this universe was wise, 



He formed all souls, all systems, planets, particles; 



The plan he formed his worlds and JEons by, 



Was Heavens! was thy small nine-and-thirty articles! 



