INSTINCT, REASON, ETC. 75 



had I the power and ability to write volumes on the subject, 

 the verdict must be the same, for some of the greatest minds 

 of the age are in constant conflict on this very theme. To 

 me it is one of intense interest, and like many a person who 

 is unlearned in the book of Euclid, he can feel that the 

 proposition is true, so I feel with regard to the proposition 

 before us. 



We cannot and probably never will be able to tell whence 

 came the first germ or germs of life; when, or in what 

 creature, or how, the first dawn of consciousness arose, or 

 whither or to what heights the potentialities of man may 

 carry hirn ; yet, to suppose with the materialist that with this 

 life all is over seems to be illogical. 



" Conservation of energy " is an acknowledged fact. The 

 thoughtful mind then asks, " is it probable that all this vital 

 energy is as nought, and will vanish at death like the 

 extinguishing of a candle " ? 



I cannot believe it. To my mind Evolution affords 

 logical reason for a larger hope than man has yet possessed. 

 I wait patiently as Tennyson puts it in very beautiful language, 

 and hope some day to look " behind the veil." 



