1885.] 
Seen and the Unseen. 
63; 
organic system, and becomes a part of animal existence. 
“ So, tracing the refinement of matter from vegetable ex- 
istence (the life or soul of plants being perfected to become 
animal sensation), the refinement and perfection of these 
two to become the substance of mind, — and the progression 
of its nature to its second sphere and investiture,” — you 
arrive “ at a positively individualised condition, and exist- 
ence of mind in its first ultimate state of progression.” 
“ There is no such thing existing as positive inertia in 
matter. If such did exist, man then possesses the power 
to create ; but if there be no such thing, then man has 
merely the power of developing.” 
Stones develop like other forms in Nature, as shown by 
the appearance on their surfaces of decomposition and decay. 
Where decomposition takes place, re-composition must also 
have place ; for matter is indestruCtible, — therefore rocks 
give particles to and take them from other bodies. “ There 
is a constant and undeviating aCtion which produces and re- 
produces all forms visible and external. Composition, de- 
composition, re-composition, visible and invisible,” perform 
their natural and ceaseless work ; “ hence there is a cease- 
less chain of formation and reproduction.” Thus in Nature 
every particle of matter, being governed by its law, produces 
harmony and union in all parts of existence; with an unde- 
viating tendency each particle occupies its destined spot, 
there to form what is required of it. 
The motive power of all life and activity in Nature must 
be a part of it, because it cannot aCt separately from it. 
Motion is there, co-existent, co-essential, and co-eternal 
with Nature. What is known as motion is not properly 
life, for motion exists where life does not. The accumula- 
tion of particles from combined elements in the interior of 
the earth form ore, progressing to metal, which then pos- 
sesses no visible motion nor activity, but time will develop 
its slow and perfeCt aCtion, rust accumulates on its surfaces, 
and finally the whole becomes dissolved and disunited : 
this illustrates the steady motion existing as an invisible 
reality. 
Peculiar kinds of earths become minerals : at a long in- 
terval of progression earths and minerals associate, and 
form vegetable existence ; so, by progressive refinements, 
particles of mineral and vegetable kingdoms “ are rendered 
capable of becoming the substance of animal organisation.” 
In grosser matter there is contained the primitive and 
essential principle of motion, yet no combination of numbers 
