Lecture on a new property of Magnetism. 539 



on the earth, are diamagnetic, that all things are either indifferent to 

 the magnetism of the globe or influenced by it, that all the rocks and 

 strata not containing iron are diamagnetic, that if a little statue of 

 Carrara marble were placed between the poles of this magnet, it 

 would point east and west ; if a man were hung up here he would 

 point east and west, and that we ourselves are affected by the magne- 

 tism of the earth, although in a very slight degree : speaking as to 

 measure, we are affected by laws that permeate every part of the 

 earth : we cannot believe it to be possible in nature that these things 

 should take place and result in nothing. Nothing is unproductive in 

 nature, there is no residue of action that is useless. We have often 

 been deceived in our experiments — we do not know how ; we often 

 find action taking place, and we do not know the cause ; we some- 

 times see phenomena, and cannot trace them through ; but never, 

 when we are able to trace them, do we find the least surplusage or 

 deficiency in the amount of power or effect. All the power that God 

 has infused into matter, He uses for various effects in creation. It 

 is impossible to know, as we feel we do, that the earth's power as a 

 magnet can be permeating all these things, and all living systems, 

 all animals and vegetables, living and dead, and leave them untouched 

 or unaffected. I have not the slightest doubt that we shall hereafter 

 find what kind of action this is, and what part it takes in organic and 

 inorganic matter. I think I see already the mode in which magnetic 

 action travels through bodies. I showed you that it goes through 

 water and flame ; I think I see how it goes through them by virtue of 

 this diamagnetic condition. I think there is a chance of finding out 

 that the magnetism of the earth may have some relation to the sun, 

 because we have ascertained in some degree a certain relation of light 

 to magnetism. Although it does not come to much in filling up the 

 whole system of things, yet it affirms a great fact, in opening a new 

 door to phenomena of different kinds. When we see that our 

 atmosphere is such that it can become either diamagnetic or magne- 

 tic, when we see that the atmosphere is related to the earth beneath 

 and the sun above, and that all these bodies have their magnetic 

 relations, we cannot but think that this power is designed for some 

 high and important purpose. As regards the amount of power, 

 though small, it is enough for our purposes ; and is, no doubt, 



