'eighth ordinary meeting. 75 



. sensitiveness suggests the good taste and expediency of distinguishing 

 the two ideas by different tei'ms. 



I am induced to add a few words in explanation of the principles 

 of Cosmic time. 



Time has been the subject of profound thought by many philoso- 

 phic minds of the past. They have attempted to define it, and their 

 definitions have been manifold. If we view the earth as a whole, and 

 the conditions of the age in which we live, oblige us so to view it, I 

 am unable to see that any one of the recorded definitions gives sup- 

 port to the ancient system of keeping count of time which we follow. 

 Our ordinary usages imply that there is an infinite number of times, 

 and they are based on the principle that time is dependent on local 

 situation. Nothing can be more erroneous and misleading. It is 

 this false principle entering into every detail of daily life which has 

 led each insignificent locality on the circumference of the globe to 

 claim the right to have its own time. It is self-evident that time 

 is in no way dependent on locality, I will quote on this jDoint but one 

 authority, the great Sir Isaac Newton. " Absolute ti'ue and mathe- 

 matical time of itself, and from its own nature, flows equally without 

 regard to anything external." 



Our finite minds are incapable of understanding fully what time 

 is, but this much is perfectly clear to our reason. Time is a measure- 

 able quantity, it may be termed a flowing magnitude, and only as one 

 such magnitude is it conceivable. A distinct and separate flow of time 

 in each of the myriad localities throughout the universe is perfectly 

 inconceivable. If time be anything it is a xinity and not a phcrality. 

 The cardinal principle of Cosmic time is unity, and with unity as a 

 fundamental idea of time it must be held that the Cosmic system is 

 the only sound principle of reckoning, and that as the area of civil- 

 ization broadens, it must in the end be recognized as applicable 

 everywhere and for all purposes. 



The conclusions of the International Conference are fruitful of 

 results of high importance. They may be said to point to the open- 

 ing of a new chapter in the world's annals. They make provision 

 for a complete cessation of ambiguity in hours and dates. By Cosmic 

 Time all events whatsoever will be systematically arranged -according 

 to their proper chronological order. The calendar days the world 

 over consequently will begin at the one initial instant, and clocks 

 will strike the same hour at the same moment in all longitudes. 



