. SLATER, ESQ., F.C.S., F.E.S., ON 



46 J. w 



the will and energy of ican, as truly as we can measure the work 

 done by the energies of light and heat. 



The mei'e exhibition of life for a longer or shorter time in an 

 organic structure does not appear to indicate anything in the 

 ■qnality of life itself, but only something in the quality of the 

 organic structure independent of the life-energy which has been 

 manifested in connection with it. 



What are called " physical forces " or " energies," are probably 

 ■results of ethereal action. Why should not the energies, the 

 working of which we call " life." be so also ? May not life be the 

 energy of something, different from that which is at the basis of 

 the " physical forces," but yet something analogous? 



So far as we can see, there is probably a more real analogy, 

 than is often thought, between the generation of light, Avhen it 

 has " not previously exi.^ted," and the generation of life. If we 

 strike a match in n, "' cavern " or elsewhere, we are not originating 

 light ; we arouse, mechanically, what arc called " potential 

 energies" (due to some qualities ethereal or material, which 

 we cannot understand) in the phosphorus of the match and the 

 oxygen of the air, the coalescence of the atoms of which, in some 

 way, stirs the ether around into light-waves. We take potential 

 light with us into the cavern, and we find potential light there. 

 There must be two potentials which coalescing shall result in 

 light. So in regard to life, we must go beyond the ovum to the 

 ovum vivtim : and that we never find, unless two potentials have 

 already copJesced. If Ave say we can start, or originate, light, we 

 •can equally say, that we can start, or originate life, where the two 

 requisite elements can be brought together. If we say, that the 

 life-energy can only be generated by previous life, we can also say, 

 that light can only be generated when two things that have the 

 proper potentialities for light can be brought together. As for 

 " spontaneous generation," whether of light or life, there can be 

 no such thing, as is evidenced in the '" physical forces " alone. 



When we push back our thoughts to try to grasp the origin of 

 these mysterious energies — all probably results of ethereal action 

 •of some kind — we are lost. All we can see at present is, that the 

 mind and will of man are certainly capable of initiating energy ; 

 and when we think of the energies of the universe, we can but 

 come to the conviction of an all-comprehensive and originating 

 intelligence, of infinite wisdom and capacity, the Creator. 



