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hypothesis, the atomic or molecular, to account for the phe- 
nomena of nature, to explain the facts of observation and 
experience. W e are pointed to the atom as the one unity, or 
resting-place for thought. But the very man who does this 
says, that molecular motions and gi’oupings not only do not 
explain everything, but in reality they explain nothing. But 
he does not end here, for he goes on to say that if the 
materialist cannot explain these things or tell the “ why ” of 
phenomena, no one else, “priest or philosopher/’ can. 
Here, then, we have evidence of two things, — that the science 
of material phenomena cannot solve what he rightly calls the 
“problem of problems/’ This is beyond its province, and 
ought not to be expected of it. But we have evidence also of 
a baseless assumption, an unwarranted generalization in the 
statement that if that science cannot solve it, no other can, 
that solution is impossible. It is seen, however, that we have 
the authority of Tyndall for saying that not to the naturalist 
must the man go who believes in the reality of awe, reverence, 
wonder, religion, &c., for he can do nothing for him ; if there 
be hope anywhere, it must be found in the priest, not the 
philosopher. 
We are also introduced, of course, to the subject of evolution, 
which means an indefinite or continuous change of structure, 
from the simple upwards to the more complex, from the monad 
up to man. The only direct evidence he adduces of such a fact 
is, that varieties are continually being produced, “no chick and 
no child is in all respects and particulars the counterpart of 
its brother and sister; in such differences we have variety 
incipient.” I object here to the word “ incipient,” which 
I take to mean a beginning. From the hypothesis of 
evolution we would deduce the expectation of finding the 
varieties continuous. But in this case they have remained 
incipient ever since man has been known; how long that 
is, I prefer, in this case, leaving our opponents to deter- 
mine. Now a variation that is always beginning, and at 
the same time always ending, is not a verification, but a 
refutation of an hypothesis, from which we deduce a variation 
always beginning and never ending. Again, the theory is that 
these variations are produced in the struggle for existence, by 
the preservation and accumulation of small inherited modifica- 
tions, each profitable to the preserved being. If so, wc are 
warranted in expecting that these preserved varieties must be 
in the first place .actually beneficial ; but Tyndall says they are 
“ differential,” that is, indefinitely small ; but a differential 
advantage not only could not preserve the life of its possessor, 
