244 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



perhaps it is calculated to excite fear or awe in him. This idea is 

 more plausible than the other. The universe as compared -with 

 man is a revelation of forces that are infinite, and it may be said 

 that surely these have something awful and impressive in them. 

 There is, however, another side to the question. This universe 

 represents not only infinite forces, but it represents also infinite 

 impotence. So long as we conform ourselves to certain ordinary 

 rules we may behave as we like for anything it can do to us. We 

 may look at it with eyes of adoration, or make faces at it, and 

 blaspheme it, but for all its power it can not move a finger to 

 touch us. Why, then, should a man be in awe of this lubberly 

 All, whose blindness and impotence are at least as remarkable as 

 its power, and from which man is as absolutely safe as a mouse in 

 a hole is from a lion ? But there still remains the emotion of 

 wonder to be considered. Is not the universe calculated to excite 

 our wonder ? From the agnostic point of view we must certainly 

 say No. The further science reveals to us the constitution of 

 things the feeling borne in on us more and more strongly is this, 

 that it is not wonderful that things happen as they do, but that it 

 would be wonderful if they happened otherwise : while as for the 

 Unknown Cause that is behind what science reveals to us, we can 

 not wonder at that, for we know nothing at all about it, and, if 

 there is any wonder involved in the matter at all, it is nothing but 

 wonder at our own ignorance. 



So much, then, for our mere emotions toward the Unknowable. 

 There still remains, however, one way more in which it is alleged 

 that our consciousness of it can be definitely connected with duty ; 

 and this is the way which our agnostic philosophers most com- 

 monly have in view, and to which they allude most frequently. I 

 allude to the search after scientific truth and the proclamation 

 of it, regardless of consequences. Whenever the agnostics are 

 pressed as to the consequences of their principles, it is on this con- 

 ception of duty that they invariably fall back. Mr. Herbert 

 Spencer, on his own behalf, expresses the position thus : 



The highest truth he sees will the wise man fearlessly utter, knowing that, let 

 what may come of it, he is thus playing his right part in the world, knowing that 

 if he can effect the change [in belief] he aims at, well ; if not, well also; though 

 not so well.* 



After what has been said already it will not be necessary to 

 dwell long on this astonishing proposition. A short examination 

 will suffice to show its emptiness. That a certain amount of truth 

 in social intercourse is necessary for the continuance of society, 

 and that a large number of scientific truths are useful in enabling 

 us to add to our material comforts is, as Prof. Huxley would say, 



* "First Principles," p. 123. 



