RECAPITULATION 331 



by which it can be concentrated in matter again, 

 nearly all the energy of the universe will be imparted 

 to the ether and dissipated through infinite space. 

 Assuming an infinite past existence of matter, it 

 ought, according to the theory of the dissipation of 

 energy, to be at present destitute of energy and, con- 

 sequently, to account for the concentration of energy 

 in matter requires more than a dynamical theory. 



It is evident that with matter, energy and ether, the 

 condition of the universe is that of mechanical 

 motion, and nothing more. 



In order, therefore, to account for the present con- 

 dition of the visible universe, it is necessary to as- 

 sume the existence of some power other than the 

 known dynamical agencies. 



As to the theory of abiogenesis, or spontaneous 

 generation, evolutionists admit that it has not been 

 established, and they begin by assuming the existence 

 of life. 



As a dynamical theory it involves nothing but mat- 

 ter and energy, and these cannot account for the 

 origin of even the humbler forms of organic beings, 

 and much less for mind. 



If abiogenesis has taken place once, then it ought by 

 means of the same agencies to have occurred a count- 

 less number of times. The creation of the first living 

 being was an extraordinary act, for which we find no 

 analogy in nature, and it must have required an extra- 

 ordinary agent. 



The evidence derived from numerous experiments 

 by Professor Tyndall and others is all against the 

 theory of spontaneous generation. 



Next followed a discussion of the theory of natural 

 selection. It was seen that this theory involves two 

 factors, namely, the fact of variation and the preser- 

 vation of favorable variations. Mr. Darwin admits 



