LIFE AS COMPARED WITH THE PHYSICAL FORCES. 49 



does it not follow that the force which is supplied by the food is 

 identical primarily with that of life force, else why the result ? 



As to the functions of the organs of the senses, ai'e they not 

 evolved by force from without ? e.g., of the eye from the impact of 

 light, and the effect of its transmission through the organ to tlie 

 brain. 



Of the ear, from the impact upon its drum of vibrations conveyed 

 by the atmosphere and their transmission to the brain through 

 membrane, ossicles, etc., and so on with the other organs. 



With the special recognition of these forces as seeing, hearing, 

 smelling, touch, and taste, through the medium of the brain by the 

 inner or spiritual man we have not to deal. Our theme is the 

 identity of force ; onr field the conflict of force. 



We do not say for a moment that primary force, or at least a 

 portion of it, is not convertible ; or, to put it more clearly, capable 

 of acting in more than one direction : or that it may not be 

 modified, and apparently but not really changed as such, by the 

 conditions under which it is placed. 



Let us now glance briefly at force in connection with the brain 

 and spinal cord ; and compai'e it with that observed in connection 

 with a battery and accumulator. 



In both cases force originates from pre-existing force active in 

 the brain and spinal cord, latent in the battery by the agency of 

 the pre-existing active force ; the brain and spinal cord at the will 

 of the Creator were formed. By man, the battery was constructed, 

 and its force lies latent. So also does life force lie latent in the 

 seed. Force in connection with the brain and spinal cord exists 

 ah initio, and is increased and maintained by decomposition of 

 organic matter within the body, the latent force of which organic 

 matter it assimilates. 



The brain and spinal cord is a living battery and accumulator, 

 whose nerve trunks are conductors. 



Force in connection with a battery becomes evident when it is 

 rendered active by decomposition of inorganic matter, and inter- 

 change of elements liberating latent force. 



In both cases, after a certain time, stasis results in respect of the 

 brain and spinal cord, from want of food force, or it may be shock 

 or injury ; and in that of the battery, from want of undecomposed 

 inorganic matter. 



Heat, as an evidence of force, is evolved by a battery in action. 



E 



