CHAPTER XXI 

 THE EVOLUTION OF MATTER 



It would be easier to speculate regarding its evolution if 

 one were aware of the ultimate nature of Matter ; but even 

 without this knowledge there are distinct indications that 

 what is termed " Matter " has evolved into being, and that 

 its evolution has been based on the intensification of 

 Continuity. 



Any hypothesis that can be put forward regarding the 

 nature of Matter must clearly include one concerning the 

 nature of Matter's " antithesis " — Force ; but this is a 

 question equally obscure. Our own inclination is to regard 

 Matter as a Force manifestation, or as Force in a special 

 aspect. 



The outstanding characters of Matter are form, weight, 

 and visibility, whereas what we designate as Force is form- 

 less, intangible, and invisible Power, perceptible by us only 

 through its effects ; and our perception of Matter's character 

 is nothing else than the reception of Force-impressions of 

 various sorts by the Matter which we are. Thus, as far as 

 we are concerned as living beings, Force would be non- 

 existent but for Matter, and Matter non-existent but for 

 Force. On the whole, though it does not take us very far, 

 it might be said that Force is the power to produce 

 perceptible effects, and that these can only be perceived by 

 Matter, and through Matter, which is possibly Force in a 

 special aspect. 



It might be said that if this is so, then Force is Matter 

 in a special aspect ; but the question is, Did Force originate 

 from Matter, or Matter from Force ? It is reasonable to 

 conclude that Force did not originate from Matter ; for if 

 we give the former an ultimate material nature it is clear 

 that it must be ultimately particulate ; and for the preserva- 

 tion of the identity of the ultimate particle, and for its move- 

 so* 



