276 The Formative Power in Nature. [May, 
by the very sentiment to which those systems seek to give a 
formula and definite expression/ 
I have been led into a digression because I saw that, if 
H. B. did not understand a plain statement, others probably 
might fall into the same error. Theology and Science are 
exadtly opposite in their nature, their only analogy being the 
dogmatic assumption of their professors. Whilst religion 
knows no creeds ; it is universal in its application — the parent 
of faith and moral duty. It induces contemplation whereby 
man can discern that God unknown to our reason, is verified 
by faith, and in the wondrous formations of Nature reads as 
in a book penned by the fingers of a Supreme Intelligence. 
Thus Nature, in the unison of her harmony, is enthroned in 
divinity of which the universe is the embodiment, finding a 
reality in the illimitable all, that which was and that which 
is, the sole Eternity — Intelligence which rules all things, 
perfects all things, and exists in all things, personified be- 
comes that we know as God. 
I do not know what importance H. B. attaches to his 
concluding sentence when he talks of “ the original funda- 
mental form of matter.” If he would tell the scientific 
world what is force and what is matter, he would do more 
service than by reading an article and interposing his own 
assumptions as the author’s conclusions. Elsewhere I have 
very fully given my ideas as to force, matter, and the 
economy of Nature. In an article of limited space it is 
impossible to state the grounds for the conclusions, and I 
do think it wiser for persons thoroughly to understand an 
author’s meaning before they introduce their own assump- 
tions as explanatory of a text which they misapprehend. 
PS. It were more courteous, when a comment is made on 
an article signed by the author in full, if the commentator 
signed his name in full. In future I shall take no notice of 
comments on articles signed by my full name, unless the 
commentator does the same. 
* Analyses of Rel. Belief. The above is the sense, but not the exa& 
words. 
