300 PROFESSOR DUNS, D.D., F.R.S.K., ETC., (>N 



liut we meet everywhere illustration^^ oi" thnu^lil and I'ore- 

 thoug-bt ; ill a word we meet with ''Mind manifested in 

 Nature." 



To neutrahze the influence of this third group of students 

 on pubhc thouo-lit — on the common sense constituency to 

 which uUimately all science has to appeal — a chang'e of 

 front has been taken by the second group referred to. With 

 them the question is not " are marks of mind manifested in 

 NATURE?" It is the revival of a question put long, long 

 ago — "Is not LIFE a quality of MATTER?" The answer on 

 their part is affirmative, and earnest efforts are put forth to 

 make it good. Now, while it would be vain to imagine that 

 aught save very scant justice can be done to the subject 

 suggested in the title of this paper and within its limits, 

 there are topics touching which some critical remarks maj"- 

 not be out of place. It will prevent repetition if, from our 

 chief point of view, we associate our remarks with the terms 

 Nature, Organisation, Classification and Vitalism. 



1, The widest meaning attached to the word Nature is — 

 the whole external world without regard to origin or 

 continuance. In theology it includes the Avliole external 

 world as the outcome of creative acts, and as under 

 iniceasing supernatural upholding and guidance. Thought- 

 ful men, however, cannot but be aware of the influence at 

 present of symptoms of a return to the views of nature held 

 by the ancient physicists — views which imply belief in the 

 eternity of matter and the chance realization ol organisms, 

 plant and animal. The relevancy of this reference to the 

 tendencies of some present science studies may be questioned, 

 but, as Ave shall see, not its logic, when Ave Avcigh the 

 argument touching vitalism. But Avhat strikes one here is 

 the effect on men of the phenomena Avhich suggest that 

 mind is manifested in nature. The character and poAver of 

 this acknoAvledgment depends on, or is anticipated by. the 

 intellectual condition and, to some extent, the physical 

 enA'ironments of those Avho make it. Take, for exam])le, the 

 history of religious thought apart altogether from Revelation. 

 There are proofs of order in nature, l)ut order implies 

 iutelhgence, and intelligence personality. A Avide and 

 intensely interesting subject opens before us here, ivirly 

 in the history of the Avorld the discovery of aspects in nature 

 Avhich Avere suggestiA^e of mind, and of personality, led to 

 those immense systems of religion which not only had their 

 day but Avhich Avere characterised by features an'Iio.so traces 



