LIVING GOD OP LIVING NATURE FROM THE SCIENCE SIDE. 279 



advantage over the astronomer, who at present is unable to pene- 

 trate very far into the substance of any of the immense objects 

 he brings under observation, situated at enormous and unknown 

 distances from his eye. 



Many facts of living nature which can only be ascertained by 

 the aid of the microscope, are far more worthy of attention and 

 of very careful study than is generally supposed, on account of 

 their bearing on broad questions connected with all life, 

 including that of man. Tlie results of minute investigation 

 with this instrument have not yet been adequately recognised 

 by science, philosophy or religion, alchough many profound 

 truths of living nature, have already been elucidated by its aid, 

 which could not possibly have been otherwise made known 

 to us. 



The new knowledge connected with cerebral structure and 

 general nerve action, is sufficient to encourage us to pursue 

 enquiry further, and to seek for more exact and definite 

 information. Microscopical research steadily pursued, will 

 enable the observer to distinguish the special work effected by 

 vital power,from all results of physical and chemical change. Thus 

 the separation of the kingdom of life from the non-living cosmos, 

 will become more evident to the mind, and the realm of 

 non-livino- mattei- will be distinguished from that of life ; and I 

 think, if we use our reason aright, the direct works of God — 

 from any results of force or energy, and the operation of "Universal 

 Physical Law." Is not the microscope to the world of life, of 

 which we ourselves constitute a very important part, what the 

 telescope is to the non-living universe — the life that is infinitely 

 near us — to non-living matter infinitely distant, and ever 

 unapproachable by us ? Are mind and thought, intellect and 

 reasoning, less worthy of contemplation, than lifeless heat and 

 cold, and blind inanimate physical force, by which life may be 

 destroyed at any moment but can never be restored ? 



Some philosophers seem to have considered that there was a 

 hard and fast line of separation between animals and vegetables, 

 while not a few have been inclined to degrade the latter, and 

 consider them to be near to matter that does not live. But by 

 microscopic investigation, we learn that the lowest living micro- 

 scopic fungus is as much a member of the life-woiid as man 

 himself. Everything — every particle that lives — is abso- 

 lutely separate and distinct from every particle of non-living 

 matter. Everywhere in the life-world, the Vital Factor which 

 I have defended for half a century, reigns supreme. Living 

 growth, formation and action, entirely and absolutely depend 



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