LIFE AS COMPARED WITH THE PHYSICAL FORCES. 43' 



a peculiar description of motion, the character of the motion being 

 j-egailated by the nature of the forms of matter which compose the 

 organif m. To prevent any misconception of the nature of my theory 

 I will endeavour to explain it as briefly as possible. My chief points 

 are as follows : — (1) I recognise, as the only logical conclusion, that 

 all formed matter was created by a power external to itself, and 

 consequently that it bad its origin in the Deity. (2) That the 

 same power which created the matter is still upholding it in all its 

 forms. (3) That every form of matter evolves phenomena which 

 are characteristic of that form, and the conditions to which it is 

 subjected. (4) That the material body of a living animal is no 

 exception to these laws, but that all the phenomena of life which 

 it manifests are the immediate result of the work done by the differ- 

 ent forms of matter. I hope I have now sufficiently expressed my 

 theory to make it evident that [ regard matter as the agent, and 

 the agpnt only, by which impressed force is directed ; whilst the 

 various forms of physical force (of which vital phenomena are one) 

 are regarded as the direct result of the impressions which the 

 different forms of matter, under various conditions, convey to the 

 ethereal medium which pervades all matter and space. Indeed 

 the theory appears to prove that these physical impressions of 

 animal life are registered in ethereal matter, forming the basis of 

 memory, and also of the inward and imperishable man. Of course 

 this theory obliges us to admit the truly mechanical nature of all 

 the phenomena of life, and I know that there are some persons 

 who regard this as a very low estimate of what is the greatest 

 manifestation of the Creator's power. In my humble judgment, 

 however, it greatly enlarges oar conception of His power, just as 

 our ideas of the ability of a mechanic are increased by the skill 

 which he has displayed in his work. Again, if this theory be closely 

 examined it will be found that all disorder and disease may be 

 traced to the effect of some impression conveyed to the sensoriura, 

 either through the senses, which are truly mechanical, or by the 

 introduction of unsuitable matter into the system. 



I will only add my conviction that the Victoria Institute would 

 confer an enormous benefit upon suffering humanity if it would take 

 measures to probe to the uttermost the connection which exists 

 between life and the physical forces, and in such case Mr. Slater's 

 paper would meet with its full reward. 



