LIFE PROTOPLASM 99 



molecules, and chemical compounds. All atoms existing 

 are measured, weighed, and shaped, and make easily 

 manifest the hand that made them. Chemical compounds 

 without number show a world of the most accurate 

 measuring of the atoms for each other, of the most 

 perfect adjustment of element to element. They also 

 develop qualities unknown to the elements entering 

 into them. But these results are surpassed by those of 

 protoplasm. Its life is a development which stands far 

 in front of and above the most remarkable results of 

 chemical combination. These results can be classed 

 together. They are of the same kind. They belong 

 to the same realm. But life cannot be classed with 

 them. It is not of their, it is of another kind. It does 

 not belong to their realm. It forms a kingdom of a new 

 and higher order. It has characteristics and powers 

 which brilliantly distinguish it and exalt it to a plane 

 of its own in the world of being. Glorious as are the 

 elements of matter, wonderfully measured also and ad- 

 justed in order to form chemical combinations with 

 properties so varied, they yet have no glory in these 

 operations, by reason of the glory that excelleth. In 

 producing the simplest living forms they surpass them- 

 selves, they take wings, they soar to the loftiest heights. 

 A speck of protoplasm is a new triumph of their working, 

 is a new revelation of what they can do, of the riches 

 of order and potency that characterise them. It makes 

 manifest their possession of endowments so peculiar and 

 so high as to add in an inexpressible measure to the 

 force of the argument derived from the chemical field 

 showing whence they come. 



The essential substances forming protoplasm are carbon, 

 oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The atoms of these 

 elements do not show any signs of life. Their ordinary 



